Hi `Mike(JG),
They are saying that it started `out as a Caprice, because that it what they called `it before they renamed it a Chevrolet S.S. See the below report

Quote:

What started out as the Chevy Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) < Click link to see article by Road & Track

But it really doesn't matter, because you think it's ugly & your won't be gett'in one (LOL)
2013 Chevrolet Caprice PPV - First Look

This cop car provides us with a sneak peak at the upcoming Chevrolet SS.

By Andrew Bornhop / Photos by Carter Jung and Press
July 25, 2012
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Truth be told, the last Chevrolet Caprice for sale in North America was a body-on-frame rear-driver that looked good—if you had an affinity for beached whales.

2014 Chevrolet Impala




Now there’s a new Caprice and although its styling is a bit vanilla—looking quite a bit like an Impala, especially from the rear—this Austra- lian-built rear-driver is essentially a Chevy version of the long-gone, but very much missed Pontiac G8. But you can’t buy it because the Caprice is currently available only to law enforcement agencies. ’Tis a pity, because this Phantom Black Police Pursuit Vehicle is a hugely entertaining sleeper. Although a 301-bhp 3.6-liter V-6 is available in this Holden-built machine, our car had the big 6.0-liter pushrod V-8 up front, which sends 355 bhp and 384 lb.-ft. of wheel-spinning torque to a limited-slip diff, via a smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic. According to the Michigan State Police, the heavyweight (4160 lb.) Caprice PPV hits 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and has a top speed of 154 mph.

2013 Chevrolet Caprice PPV




As a police car, this Caprice is built for abuse with heavy-duty suspension, 18-in. steel wheels, upgraded brakes and auxiliary coolers for the engine oil, transmission fluid and power steering. What’s more, there’s a high-output alternator and unique front seats that accommodate officers’ utility belts. The huge back seat, of note, is fixed, and the dash-mounted trunk release functions only when the key is in the ignition—to prevent thieves from smashing the window to access the trunk. Last, the front and rear fascias are reshaped to allow for higher curb clearance and better engine cooling.

2013 Chevrolet Caprice PPV




The firmly sprung Caprice proved popular during its stay at R&T. It’s good fun to drive a car that’s so plain, so mainstream, yet has the heart of a lion and is built to handle abuse. At $32,305, this Caprice PPV, fitted with a simple but durable interior and a full-size spare tire, represents excellent bang for the buck.
The best part is the fact that this 4-door Camaro—replete with independent rear suspension—will be made available to all of us next year as the 2014 Chevrolet SS. If the civilian version is as entertaining as this police car and comes in around $30,000, Chevrolet could have a big hit on its hands.