Is The Chevy Chevelle Really Returning In 2025?

There have been several classic cars that got resurrected years after their retirement, but, unfortunately, it's unlikely it will happen to the Chevy Chevelle in 2025. However, the internet rumor mill won't let a minor detail like the truth get in its way of hyping a sensational story in the name of clickbait.

As a testament to the Chevelle's place in automotive lore being firmly rooted in the past, Chevrolet said goodbye to the sixth-gen Camaro earlier this year as the final model rolled off the assembly line. It seems the EV era being ushered in has little room for the old-school muscle cars of a bygone era. So, why won't the internet let the Chevelle rest in peace?

Rumors of the Chevelle's rebirth come around every now and then. Chevelle fans know about the 70/SS concept car built by TransAm Worldwide (TAW) a few years ago. While that rumor offered promise, with TAW planning to build 70/SS models for sale at prices starting at $175,000, we wouldn't call it a return of the Chevy Chevelle. Even though the TAW 70/SS Chevelle actually put rubber on the road, the newest rumor of the 2025 Chevy Chevelle return is based on AI renderings posted to social media and video sharing sites. 

Some automakers have honored returning muscle car nameplates with classic styling and powerful engines befitting their lineage, and failed with others. The four-door Dodge Charger comes to mind, as does the return of the Chevrolet Malibu, once a Chevelle trim level, as an economy car. 

There's no way to be sure what, if any, plans Chevrolet has for the return of the Chevelle. At this point, it seems unlikely that it'll have a gasoline-powered V8 engine at all. If it returns as an EV, it could headline as Chevrolet's performance EV-model.

If V8 power is the only thing to satisfy your needs from a Chevelle and you have the financial bandwidth, it's not too late to get your name on a TransAm Worldwide 70/SS Chevelle. Even the base model 70/SS features a 450-horsepower LT-1 V8 with an option to add a supercharger for up to 675 horsepower. If that's not enough, consider stepping up to the 70/SS — 396 Heritage Model with either 800-supercharged-horsepower or 900 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 396-cubic-inch engine. 

At the top of TAW's 70/SS lineup is the 454 LS6X Limited Edition. While TAW intends to only build 25 LS6X models, it's still listed for sale on the company's website as of September 2024. The most powerful version has a twin-turbo 454 generating up to 1,500 horsepower. Until Chevy decides to bring the Chevelle back, the TAW version will have to suffice. Stay tuned for further updates.

Chevrolet introduced the Chevy Chevelle to the world in September 1963 and produced three generations before discontinuing the nameplate in 1977. The second-gen Chevelles, produced from 1968 to 1972, are among the most impressive Chevy muscle cars of all time, with the 1968 through 1970 models leading the way.

In the heyday of the muscle car era, a Chevelle SS equipped with the mighty 454 big block could produce upwards of 450 horsepower. Other popular powerplants included the 396 big block and the small block Chevy 350, all offering peak horsepower rivaled by only the engine options available in the Corvette. The second-gen Chevelle sold better than any other muscle car over its four-year period, with nearly two million cars going to consumers.

However, like many of its muscle car cohorts, the Chevelle's end came in stages. For the Chevelle, those stages occurred throughout its third, and final, generation from 1973 to 1977. The last generation Chevelles featured safety bumpers and detuned engines in an attempt to make them safer, more economical, and environmentally friendly. The SS badge was replaced by the Laguna Type S-3. The big block V8 was absent from the Chevelle's engine options list in 1975, and by 1977 the Chevelle was no more.

With the old-school Chevy Chevelle's popularity rooted in big block power and classic styling, it's not surprising that rumors of its 2025 return spread quickly across the internet. Sadly, the images used in videos produced to herald the Chevelles unlikely return are generated in large part by AI. While artist's renderings aren't new and have been used by companies to depict images of future products, AI-generated images are a different story. Let's look at some ways to tell if an image was AI-generated.

First, let's look at an image (captured above) found in one of the many videos claiming the "2025 Chevrolet SS Chevelle is Finally Here." The image shows a deep metallic green coupe reminiscent of a second-gen Chevelle, slightly quartering away from the camera. We can clearly see the SS badge on the trunk lid and the letters "CHEVROLL" between the taillights. It's evident that AI technology hasn't quite mastered the art of spelling, or the artist is attempting to avoid a run-in with the automaker.

Another common error associated with AI-generated images is that some aspects just don't make any sense. In some of the 2025 Chevelle videos, the car appears to be moving backwards on the street. There are also instances of multiple SS badges present on the grille. It's doubtful that Chevrolet would place an SS badge in the center of the grille, and another in the corner.

Chevrolet's commitment to electrification gets the bulk of people's attention when discussing the automaker's future plans, however, there are still some gas-powered cars in the Chevrolet stable. While production of a 2025 Chevelle isn't in the cards, the Chevy Malibu is still around for the 2025 model year, albeit its last hurrah. Ending production of the Malibu may be the merciful thing to do, as MotorTrend points out that while Chevy's final sedan offering features a "settled ride," it's "not especially fun to drive."

If you're looking for a 2025 Chevrolet that's fun to drive, check out the ZR1 Corvette with its twin-turbo LT7 V8. The newest 'Vette engine produces 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque. While its unique styling might not be everyone's cup of tea, it's capable of a 233-mph top speed, sprinting from zero to 60 mph in 2.3 seconds, and it can cover the standing quarter mile in 9.6 seconds, crossing the finish line at 150 mph.

While Chevy fans lament the recent demise of the sixth-gen Camaro, it could be making a comeback as early as 2026, although it's possible it'll enter the market as a 2027 model. However, its renewal as an EV will likely cause dissension in the ranks of loyal Camaro aficionados. Some will welcome the electrified drivetrain, while others will condemn it as blasphemy.