Based on an Australian car called the Holden VF Commodore, the Chevrolet SS paired a 415 hp 6.2L V8 engine with rear-wheel drive to create an affordable alternative to sport sedans from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes. Loved by driving enthusiasts for its available manual transmission and throaty exhaust note, the Chevrolet SS had limited appeal to others due to its high price and unimpressive fuel economy. New Chevy SS buyers had to pay a federal gas-guzzler tax whether they chose the manual gearbox or the more common automatic transmission. The SS lasted four short years, from 2014 to 2017, in part because General Motors shuttered Holden and its Australian operations.