2007 SEMA - Chevrolet Cobalt SS

General Motors has 28 vehicles on display at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, spanning from mildly modified to true fantasy machines. Amidst all the chromed flash is a production model heading to Chevrolet dealers next year: the Cobalt SS is making a comeback.

Developed by GM's Performance Division, the Cobalt SS is powered by a turbocharged, 260-hp, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. While the 5-speed manual transmission carries over (no 6-speed), it gets a 55 horsepower boost to 260. The SS has chassis enhancements similar to the Chevrolet HHR SS, but with larger Brembo brakes. It is fitted with a new FE5 sport suspension with specific stabilizer bars, spring rates, and damper tuning. GM boasts a 0-60 mph acceleration time of approximately 5.7 seconds, aided by the manual transmission's "no-lift shift" feature, which allows quick shifts without lifting the throttle. Our tested, supercharged 2005 Cobalt SS reached 60 mph in 7.3 seconds.

The exterior is dressed with a front fascia with an SS-specific grille, along with unique side trim and optional rear wing. The combined effect is rather mild, especially in Vegas context, compared against its claimed performance capabilities.

Safety features include standard ABS, electronic stability control, and side-impact air bags. Head-protecting curtain air bags are also standard on all Cobalts.

The Cobalt will go on sale in the second quarter of 2008. A sedan version will follow a few months later. We enjoyed driving the previous SS, and are happy that while this model "happened" in Vegas, it won't stay in Vegas.

--Liza Barth

Comments

[David]

If a Cobalt can have a high performance version, why can't Mazda put out a high performance version of the Miata? Why not put the Renesis engine from the RX-8 into a Miata and name it RX-5?

from a frustrated miata owner

[SSNipes]

I own the 2005 cobalt SS SC. I cant wait to get my hands on this car. there is more technology enhancements over my car such as the shifter, the steering wheel, seats, warranty, handling braking, besides the power. what is also exciting is the potential for more HP. it is anticipated a GMP kit labeled as GMS2 (for the LNF turbo engine) to produce 290HP and 310 torque! the torque #'s are very appealing as it is much higher than the Supercharged models. all in all a great improvement. more than I expected. would be nice to be AWD or RWD but rome was not built in a day.