Why are cars called SS?
The initials SS in cars almost always signify a higher-performance variant, a tradition that began with Chevrolet's “Super Sport” badge in the 1960s and spread to other GM brands and Holden in Australia. Today, the meaning is widely understood as a performance label, though the exact features and scope of the badge can vary by model and market.
Origins of the SS badge
The two-letter SS designation emerged as a factory cue to identify upgraded performance equipment. Chevrolet introduced the Super Sport, or SS, badge on the 1961 Impala, pairing a more powerful engine with distinctive trim and handling tweaks. The concept proved popular and the SS label quickly spread to other GM divisions, helping buyers recognize performance variants at a glance. Over the decades, the SS badge became a familiar signpost across multiple GM cars and, later, in other markets.
Chevrolet’s early SS lineage
Notable high-performance Chevrolet models carrying the SS badge helped establish the name as a symbol of performance. Here are some representative examples illustrating how the badge spread within Chevrolet’s lineup and became a cultural touchstone for muscle-era performance.
- Chevrolet Impala SS (1961–1963) — introduced as a performance-oriented option with a bigger V8 and unique trim.
- Chevrolet Chevelle SS (1964–1973; later revived) — one of the era’s best-known SS models, featuring big-block engines and bold styling.
- Chevrolet Camaro SS (1967–present) — performance package with upgraded engine, suspension, and styling cues.
- Chevrolet Malibu SS / Monte Carlo SS (various years) — adopted the SS badge for performance variants within the mid-size and personal-lux segments.
- Chevrolet SS (2014–2017) — a modern rear-wheel-drive sedan based on the Holden Commodore, the badge signaling a V8-powered performance setup.
In Chevrolet’s language, the SS badge consistently signaled a performance-focused package, helping buyers distinguish sportier versions without a full-model-name change.
Holden and global usage
In Australia, Holden used the SS badge on Commodore and Monaro–derived models, signaling sport-tuned suspensions, upgraded engines, and conspicuous styling. The designation became a core part of the local performance culture and carried into HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) variants that extended the concept beyond standard trims.
- Holden Commodore SS — a long-running badge across multiple generations, denoting sportier variants.
- HSV variants — high-performance Holden models that kept the SS tradition alive alongside other performance badges.
- Global exports and collaborations — the SS concept appeared in markets outside Australia as GM rebranded or adapted platforms for local performance demand.
Across generations, the core idea remained the same: the SS badge denoted enhanced power, handling, and styling relative to standard trims, even as exact specifications varied by model and era.
Contemporary usage and cautions
Today, the meaning of SS can vary by market and model year. In the United States, the 2014–2017 Chevrolet SS carried a modern interpretation of Super Sport, while in Australia the badge continues to signal performance variants on Holden’s lineup. Some models use SS to indicate sport-oriented trims without the most extreme power, so buyers should compare horsepower, torque, and suspension details rather than rely on the badge alone.
It’s also wise to acknowledge that the letters “SS” can evoke associations with the Nazi Schutzstaffel for some readers. Automotive branding predates that era by decades, and the SS badge in cars is rooted in the performance lineage described above. Brands emphasize the original performance intent when discussing the badge in official materials and marketing.
Summary
The SS badge originated with Chevrolet in the 1960s as an emblem for a “Super Sport” performance package. The concept spread within GM and to Holden in Australia, becoming a global shorthand for sportier, higher-performance variants. While the exact features differ by model and era, the unifying idea remains: SS signifies enhanced power, handling, and styling compared with standard versions.
Why did SS cars change their name?
Production of the saloons and drop heads continued after the war, by which time the name of the company and the cars had been changed to Jaguar because of the perceived concern over the use of the insignia SS.
What did SS cars stand for?
On a car, "SS" most commonly stands for Super Sport, a performance-oriented package from Chevrolet, and is also used by Holden. It typically signifies a high-performance model with a more powerful engine, upgraded suspension, and other performance or cosmetic enhancements, such as unique badging or styling cues.
Key details about the SS badge
- Chevrolet: The "SS" designation is most famously associated with Chevrolet and its performance models, including the Camaro, Chevelle, Impala, and a specific model called the Chevrolet SS sedan.
- Holden: In Australia, Holden also used the SS badge on its performance models, which also featured enhanced performance and styling.
- Meaning: The Super Sport package was originally introduced as a way to create a higher-performance vehicle, but it has evolved over time to encompass a variety of performance upgrades, from V8 engines to track-focused features and even electric performance models in recent years.
- Distinguishing features: SS models can often be identified by specific "SS" badging on the exterior and interior, special gauges, and unique trim, say CarParts.com users.
What does SS mean for cars?
For cars, SS almost always means Super Sport, which denotes a performance-oriented trim or package. These models typically feature upgraded engines, enhanced suspension, and other performance-focused modifications over the standard version of the same car. For example, many Chevrolet SS models feature more powerful V8 engines and better handling capabilities.
- Performance upgrades: SS vehicles are designed for increased performance, often including more powerful engines like V8s, as well as improved suspension and exhaust systems.
- Distinctive features: SS models come with unique styling and badging, such as an "SS" inscription on the exterior and sometimes interior.
- Specific examples: The SS designation has been used on many high-performance vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Camaro SS, the Chevrolet SS sedan, and the Holden SS.
- Note on other meanings: While "SS" is most commonly "Super Sport," sometimes "S/S" can appear in a car ad, which often stands for "start/stop" and refers to an engine feature that automatically turns the engine off when the car is stopped to save fuel.
Why are Chevy SS so rare?
Chevy SS sedans are rare because they were only produced for a short four-year run (2014–2017) with low production numbers, partly due to a lack of marketing and poor sales figures that were only about 3,000 per year. The car was imported from Australia as a Holden Commodore and its production was ultimately limited by the closure of the Holden plant, according to Quora.
You can watch this video to learn more about the Chevy SS's design and why it was considered a sleeper sedan: 31sAutomotive Anonymous YouTube · Jul 2, 2025
- Limited production: The car was only produced for four model years, ending after 2017, which inherently limits the total number of vehicles available.
- Low sales and poor marketing: Despite being a high-performance sedan with a V8 engine, sales were lackluster, partly because Chevrolet did not heavily market the car.
- Imported from Australia: The Chevy SS was an imported Holden Commodore, and its production run was tied to the Australian Holden plant, which GM later shuttered.
- Short lifespan: The vehicle was essentially a stop-gap model to honor a prior deal to import sedans from Holden after the Pontiac G8 was canceled, and there was no plan for a long-term replacement.
