In terms of quiet car reveals, the 2009 Chevy Cobalt SS takes the cake. At a Bakersfield, CA driving event for the new turbocharged coupe, Chevy had an example of the sedan on hand for viewing purposes only. Click the headline above to see the car from all angles. Like the coupe it'll be available exclusively with a manual transmission that shares space under the hood with a 260 hp turbocharged, direct-injection 2.0-liter four. The sedan goes on sale next fall as a 2009 model, but the coupe will hit dealers later this month as an '08. Pricing will start at $22,995, with a $495 limited-slip differential, a sunroof, metallic paint, and a rear wing being the only options. That price is equal to the larger HHR SS' base, but the Cobalt will come standard with Continental summer tires and larger Brembo brakes behind the wheels. Driving impressions are still embargoed, but look for a full review of the Cobalt SS coupe to go live on Motive around midnight tonight.
Me likey The sedan looks very stealthy. Just slap a little green "E" sticker on the trunk and you're all set I hope the nastly wing on the coupe is an option.
Does it also have the no lift shift as in the HHR?
I have always had trouble with the tiny rear deck, and graceless greenhouse profile of this sedan. The squared-off profile certainly provides rear headroom, but it looks awkward. Otherwise, I am sure that this SS sedan is certainly competetive.
Quote, originally posted by justanotherusername »
There are plenty of existing technologies that produce emissions free electricity. There isn't one single technology in the world that produces emissions free gasoline.
Me likey The sedan looks very stealthy. Just slap a little green "E" sticker on the trunk and you're all set I hope the nastly wing on the coupe is an option.
Does it also have the no lift shift as in the HHR?
The wing is indeed an option, though the base SS still gets a small spoiler. Yes, it has the same no-lift shift option as the HHR, along with launch control. Because of the stickier summer tires, launch control holds the tach at 5100, rather than 4100.
FYI, I sat in a turbo coupe at the auto show, and I am pleased to report that while the seats are not Recaros, they are damn close to it! I was impressed.
Coming soon: A tow vehicle with some real firepower. 1986 Bayliner 2450 Ciera Sportcruiser / Volvo Penta AQ260A/275SP
I know some people are into sleepers but God, can't they try harder than this? Even the Corolla S (never mind XRS) looks sportier than this.
American automakers can't win
Quote, originally posted by BlackDevilCar »
She took the picture.
"No, honey, you don't look retarded at all! I'm soo happy you cut your hair like I told you to [the girls will love this one. For my next trick I'll have him jump off the Brooklyn Bridge]"
Well, they're not exactly building it for you. They're building it for their customer base, who all wanted a little more height and a little more rear seat room. They're not buying the ***** so that people who have no intention of actually buying one can approve of them while rolling by in their VW's
Hmmm....I wonder how this car will pan out. A Camaro RS with the 310hp hi-po v6 and displacement on demand is gonna be 24k. I wonder which I'd pick...
Quote, originally posted by Rukh »
Listen up, buddy, I've had both - I eat plain bagels with cream cheese all the time, and I know people who've brought me onion bagels to try. I've toasted them both. I've even had poppy seed bagels and bagels and lox with capers. I'll pit your onion bagel against my plain bagel with cream cheese any time anywhere, just meet me halfway.
I know some people are into sleepers but God, can't they try harder than this? Even the Corolla S (never mind XRS) looks sportier than this.
The Cobalt SS sedan is aimed for people that want the utility of a four-door while retaining a modicum of sporty demeanor. Those buyers tend to be more practical and introverted, and don't want a flashy car.
BTW, the Chevy engineers told me that stage kits for the Cobalt and HHR are in development, though they wouldn't give horsepower numbers or likelyhood of production. The biggest hold-up is apparently making sure they develop a kit that won't blow engines before the 100,000-mile warranty is up.
Seriously? How is this a better buy than the Mazdaspeed3?
Anyways- I like it. I wouldn't buy one, but I do like it.
tangent- The Cobalt is in its fourth year of production now- it's about time Chevy gave the Cobalt a complete overhaul/update to make the interior a bit more competitive with other vehicles in this class. The basic Cobalt is a decent car for the price, but improving some details would make it a much better car.
"straight roads are for fast cars, curvy roads are for fast drivers"
He stood the furious Foe, the timid Friend/The damning Critic, half approving Wit/ The Coxcomb hit, or fearing to be hit;/Laugh’d at the Loss of Friends he never had,/The dull, the proud, the wicked, and the mad.
Really, even if you've got a boner as big as mine for the Cobalt SS Turbo's performance, you at least have to acknowledge that the MS3 has a little more finesse to its chassis (if less outright grip), and the GTI offers a fancy-pants automatic transmission, and both of them are hatchbacks.
I am honestly very intrigued by this car, though. I wasn't interested in the coupe - I think most compact coupes are just silly and pointless - but knowing that this will lap VIR an eternity faster than most other cars in its class, and that it's dirt cheap, has me wanting to try one out.
With the new huge brakes and the increase in power (remember, the Supercharged model only made 200hp), I bet C&D could knock another 3 seconds off the 3:20.6 they ran with the old car.
Splinter - Team Post-Killing Ninja My decantering is delicate and courageous.
Seriously? How is this a better buy than the Mazdaspeed3?
Anyways- I like it. I wouldn't buy one, but I do like it.
tangent- The Cobalt is in its fourth year of production now- it's about time Chevy gave the Cobalt a complete overhaul/update to make the interior a bit more competitive with other vehicles in this class. The basic Cobalt is a decent car for the price, but improving some details would make it a much better car.
Cobalt will get a full redesign when it moves to a global platform in 2010 or 2011
I actually think it is one of the best-looking compact sedans to come out of the US in ages. I hated the original design, but a few minor tweaks and it looks great.
Past/Current: Buick, Mitsubishi, Geo, Chrysler, Dodge, Porsche, Land Rover, VW, Nissan, Cadillac, Ford Future: VW T3, Mk1 Scirocco, Audi TT, 240Z, Lancer Evo VIII RS, Lancia Delta Integrale Evo II, AMG R63, Hudson Hornet, Porsche 964, Mini Cooper, Caterham SV, AMG CLS63, Miura SV
Hey Stu, what was your lap time around Buttonwillow?
Wish I could say, but for safety's sake they had everyone come through pit row after each lap. No timing. I'd estimate that it was somewhere between the slowest guy's time and John Heinricy's time.
Really, even if you've got a boner as big as mine for the Cobalt SS Turbo's performance, you at least have to acknowledge that the MS3 has a little more finesse to its chassis (if less outright grip)
Why do you need to acknowledge that? Not a single review of the car has come out yet, and the suspension has been fully revised from the supercharged model. I can't give driving impressions yet, but let me just say that this car will surprise you. And it did beat the MS3 around the 'Ring by 17 seconds.
Cobalt will get a full redesign when it moves to a global platform in 2010 or 2011
Has GM made any changes over the years yet? GM used to release all new vehicles with seemingly designed in future cosmetic improvements (they intentionally made it less attractive so they could "refresh" them and improve sales after a few years).
"straight roads are for fast cars, curvy roads are for fast drivers"
Why do you need to acknowledge that? Not a single review of the car has come out yet, and the suspension has been fully revised from the supercharged model. I can't give driving impressions yet, but let me just say that this car will surprise you. And it did beat the MS3 around the 'Ring by 17 seconds.
Did they change the steering? it was a bit dull in the SS/SC.
Splinter - Team Post-Killing Ninja My decantering is delicate and courageous.
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I hope the nastly wing on the coupe is an option. 
man a whole mess of nachos sounds good right now 
