Tekknikal
11-12-2007, 11:57 PM
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/GM/Chevrolet/Cobalt/2008/08cobaltss-turbo_hi001.jpg" alt="" />
It's official. Come next year, the old Cobalt will be gone and in its place Chevy will be producing a new Cobalt SS, featuring 260hp/260lbft from a turbocharged (yes you read that right) 2.0L direct injected & intercooled 4 cylinder engine.
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You might have written off the last SS due to the fact that (1) it never quite rivalled the SRT4 in power and (2) the SS badge got applied so often it could no longer be taken seriously. Well Chevrolet is working on fixing both of those issues.
In a move likely to please Cobalt fans, the new car has 55hp more than the last and perhaps more interestingly, a turbocharger has replaced what was a supercharger boosting the engine. The engine itself has also been enhanced, with a steel crankshaft, forged connecting rods, oil-spray piston cooling, and a 9.2:1 compression ratio.
Although rarely given the credit it deserved, the old SS was actually fairly competent in the handling department- at least compared with other sport compacts. Chevy wasn't satisfied though, and the new SS promises to be much improved over the last in handling too. The new FE5 sport suspension has been tuned on the 'Ring in Germany, with Chevy's GM promising that the suspension is track capable while still being comfortable on the street.
Chevy claims the new SS can get to 60mph in 5.7 seconds. The transmission used deserves some of the credit - the GM Powertrain Sweden F35 short throw 5 speed manual tranny carries a "no lift shift" feature to aid in maximum acceleration.
Chevy also claims the new SS can lap the Ring in 8 minutes 22 seconds, a fairly quick time for a sport compact- a time putting it among many more expensive cars. Achieving that time takes more than a solid suspension, engine, and transmission though: it also takes brakes. And on this front Chevy has fitted the new SS with 4-piston fixed caliper Brembos on the front end of the car, to ensure consistent braking under agressive driving.
Frustrated with how the last SS's computer delt with aggressive launches? Fret no more. The new SS features a driver-selectable competition mode with launch control that can be activated from the driver's seat. Have the traction control take a hike.
I'll let the looks of the car speak for itself, all in all it looks like Chevy upped their game this time around. Look out for the new SS in the second quarter of next year.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/GM/Chevrolet/Cobalt/2008/08cobalt-ss-turbo_hi002.jpg" alt="" />
It's official. Come next year, the old Cobalt will be gone and in its place Chevy will be producing a new Cobalt SS, featuring 260hp/260lbft from a turbocharged (yes you read that right) 2.0L direct injected & intercooled 4 cylinder engine.
<!--more-->
You might have written off the last SS due to the fact that (1) it never quite rivalled the SRT4 in power and (2) the SS badge got applied so often it could no longer be taken seriously. Well Chevrolet is working on fixing both of those issues.
In a move likely to please Cobalt fans, the new car has 55hp more than the last and perhaps more interestingly, a turbocharger has replaced what was a supercharger boosting the engine. The engine itself has also been enhanced, with a steel crankshaft, forged connecting rods, oil-spray piston cooling, and a 9.2:1 compression ratio.
Although rarely given the credit it deserved, the old SS was actually fairly competent in the handling department- at least compared with other sport compacts. Chevy wasn't satisfied though, and the new SS promises to be much improved over the last in handling too. The new FE5 sport suspension has been tuned on the 'Ring in Germany, with Chevy's GM promising that the suspension is track capable while still being comfortable on the street.
Chevy claims the new SS can get to 60mph in 5.7 seconds. The transmission used deserves some of the credit - the GM Powertrain Sweden F35 short throw 5 speed manual tranny carries a "no lift shift" feature to aid in maximum acceleration.
Chevy also claims the new SS can lap the Ring in 8 minutes 22 seconds, a fairly quick time for a sport compact- a time putting it among many more expensive cars. Achieving that time takes more than a solid suspension, engine, and transmission though: it also takes brakes. And on this front Chevy has fitted the new SS with 4-piston fixed caliper Brembos on the front end of the car, to ensure consistent braking under agressive driving.
Frustrated with how the last SS's computer delt with aggressive launches? Fret no more. The new SS features a driver-selectable competition mode with launch control that can be activated from the driver's seat. Have the traction control take a hike.
I'll let the looks of the car speak for itself, all in all it looks like Chevy upped their game this time around. Look out for the new SS in the second quarter of next year.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/GM/Chevrolet/Cobalt/2008/08cobalt-ss-turbo_hi002.jpg" alt="" />