2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

[NFS4]

t?s been a long time since sport compact enthusiasts had incentive to visit a General Motors showroom. And no, we don?t mean zero-down and zero-percent financing. We?re talking driving incentive, the knowledge that somewhere on the showroom floor sits an affordable, stylish and spirited machine with a youthful attitude.

For much of the last decade the only thing GM could fire back at the likes of Honda?s Civic and Volkswagen?s Golf were the 150-hp J-body Chevy Cavalier Z24 and the Pontiac Sunfire GT. But where the Z24 struggled among pocket rockets, Chevy?s new Cobalt SS seeks to fly.

The SS packs a 2.0-liter, 205-hp 200-lb-ft inline four motivated by a roots-type Eaton supercharger set at 12 psi. Yes, it has lower compression pistons, a forged crank and stronger aluminum casting, as you would expect. But a major supercharger side effect is heat, which Chevy addresses with an oil cooler, sodium-filled exhaust valves, a larger cooling fan and radiator core, and pistons directly cooled by high-pressure oil jets.

Drivers in the know will surely issue a challenge to this Cobalt, while those who have no idea what the SS badge means will no doubt be clued in by the car?s GTR-style rear spoiler, 18-inch wheels and front-mounted air-to-water intercooler.

For just such encounters?at the track, of course?drop the clutch at 2000 rpm, modulate the throttle to avoid tire hop, and 60 mph passes in 6.36 seconds. That whips the Civic Si by 1.46 seconds and the Ford Focus SVT by 0.96 second.

At the quarter-mile mark the Cobalt registers 14.91 seconds at 96 mph compared to the Civic?s 15.93 seconds at 87.4 mph and the Focus? 15.72 seconds at 88.4 mph.

The supercharger comes on song around 3000 rpm and is accompanied by a raspy exhaust note. It may grow tiring over time, but it is certainly in tune with this car?s overall statement.

Handling is another strong Cobalt attribute, where the car posts an average speed of 47 mph through the slalom and 0.87 g on the skidpad. Here, the Civic loses out again, but the Focus nips the SS in the slalom, faster by 0.3 mph. The Cobalt does trump its platform mate, the Saturn Ion Red Line, by 1.1 mph and 0.03 g, thanks mostly to 124 fewer pounds and stickier Pirelli PZero Rosso tires.

http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=102571

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

:thumbsdown:

 

[nick1985]

does this mean that this is the new vehicle of choice for ricers?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: AccruedExpenditure
:thumbsdown:

My only :thumbsdown: goes to the fvcked up rice spoiler. Other than that, seems pretty nice

 

[imported_xaguynamedguyx]

why would you get that when you could get the car that that car is trying to be, RSX, Civic

 

[Jumpem]

Still loses to a Forester wagon.

 

[imported_xaguynamedguyx]

yeah its a nice car. nice for a chevy

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Bowtie fans, say hello to your Camaro replacement!!!

Hahahahaha!


To put the muscle car thing in perspective, however, consider that the Cobalt SS Supercharged weighs less than a five-speed 1987 IROC-Z, and almost matches the output of the Camaro's 5.0-liter V8. Fact is the Cobalt SS is likely quicker than the IROC, although it'll get spanked by a 230-hp, turbocharged Dodge Neon SRT-4 which costs about the same.

The Cobalt SS also drives much like that old Camaro, and we mean that as a compliment, mostly. It tracks beautifully, pulls hard through corners and its electric steering has a heavy, numb feel reminiscent of the third-generation F-body. That kind of steering worked in heavy muscle cars cranking Huey Lewis and the News, but the 2005 tuner market wants, and expects, improved feel and feedback.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: xaguynamedguyx
why would you get that when you could get the car that that car is trying to be, RSX, Civic

Cause they are slow as hell.

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander
Bowtie fans, say hello to your Camaro replacement!!!

Hahahahaha!


To put the muscle car thing in perspective, however, consider that the Cobalt SS Supercharged weighs less than a five-speed 1987 IROC-Z, and almost matches the output of the Camaro's 5.0-liter V8. Fact is the Cobalt SS is likely quicker than the IROC, although it'll get spanked by a 230-hp, turbocharged Dodge Neon SRT-4 which costs about the same.

The Cobalt SS also drives much like that old Camaro, and we mean that as a compliment, mostly. It tracks beautifully, pulls hard through corners and its electric steering has a heavy, numb feel reminiscent of the third-generation F-body. That kind of steering worked in heavy muscle cars cranking Huey Lewis and the News, but the 2005 tuner market wants, and expects, improved feel and feedback.

Heh...you could actually get an 87 Iroc-Z with a 170 - 215hp 5.0L V8.
That said, that 87 Iroc is 18 years older than the Cobalt SS, and is/was in a completely different market segment. HORRIBLE comparison.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: xaguynamedguyx
why would you get that when you could get the car that that car is trying to be, RSX, Civic

If I was in the market for a fast car in the $20K range, why would I even consider an RSX or Civic? The RSX Type-S is a competitor, but the standard model is slow.

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander

To put the muscle car thing in perspective, however, consider that the Cobalt SS Supercharged weighs less than a five-speed 1987 IROC-Z, and almost matches the output of the Camaro's 5.0-liter V8. Fact is the Cobalt SS is likely quicker than the IROC, although it'll get spanked by a 230-hp, turbocharged Dodge Neon SRT-4 which costs about the same.

The Cobalt SS also drives much like that old Camaro, and we mean that as a compliment, mostly. It tracks beautifully, pulls hard through corners and its electric steering has a heavy, numb feel reminiscent of the third-generation F-body. That kind of steering worked in heavy muscle cars cranking Huey Lewis and the News, but the 2005 tuner market wants, and expects, improved feel and feedback.

anyone who would consider a 1987 Camaro a muscle car needs to be taken back behind the barn and shot

 

[shabby]

Big deal, the srt4 owns it.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: shabby
Big deal, the srt4 owns it.

Big deal, the SRT-4 is ugly as hell, built cheaply as hell and has roll-up rear windows.

**Ducks under table**

 

[geno]

This car would be much more respected if it wasn't pre-empted by a MUCH more powerful (underrated) SRT-4, however the Cobalt itself is receiving some good press so it definitely looks respectible for the price. Modding will be where the speed is, good job on the supercharger GM

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: shabby
Big deal, the srt4 owns it.

Big deal, the SRT-4 is ugly as hell, built cheaply as hell and has roll-up rear windows.

**Ducks under table**

most of the people in their target market (young guys without much money to spend who want something fast) won't mind too much As far as I know, the SRT4's haven't had much trouble finding their way off the lots

 

[neutralizer]

Whoa that looks nice, the spoiler doesn't look too bad.

 

[Scouzer]

Originally posted by: shabby
Big deal, the srt4 owns it.

In a straight line.