Remaining on the pedal side of the sheet for a moment, but with diminished rant, I was disappointed to discover that Chevy has not installed a purpose built dead-pedal. This feature enables the driver to firmly hold position in the seat by solidly planting the left foot onto the dead-pedal, pressing the backside into the seat and freeing the arms for steering duty. Oh sure, the carpeting has a couple strips of rubber in the area a dead-pedal should reside, but that doesn't cut it in a supercharged car wearing the SS moniker.

The lack of a manual-mode shift feature, or at minimum a gated shift pattern, plus only four forward gears leaves the sport-minded driver wanting more. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

Another incongruity in the mind of this fussy journalist is the lack of a manual-mode shift feature, or at minimum a gated shift pattern that would enable a sport-minded driver to move from gear to gear with greater precision and finesse. And in this era of five speed or more transmissions, why is a $40K supercharged sport-coupe sucking wind, or should I say blowing wind, with only four forward gears?

That being said, the transmission does an admirable and snappy job of selecting the correct gear to match the driver's immediate needs, whether those needs include highway passing, hill-climbing or simply loafing about town.

Although the leather seats are more than comfortable, given the less than frugal sticker price one would expect tactile surfaces that impart a higher feeling of quality. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

By now you are likely wondering if there is anything more I can gripe about? Well, just one wee complaint remains untold: too much hard plastic on the door panels. Given the less than frugal sticker price, one would expect tactile surfaces that impart a feel of quality, not pickup truck utility.

I can happily report though, that the 6-way power leather seats featuring a manual lumbar support, part of the SS package, impart comfort levels on par with some of the best in the industry. They provide fatigue-free back support but could benefit from greater side-bolstering when under hard cornering.