Cobalt beats Skyline and Jetta!
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Cobalt beats Skyline and Jetta!
FOR RELEASE: 2005-10-06
CONTACTS
Cobalt SS Supercharged Wins Time Attack on 'Street Tuner Challenge'
Besting a 600 HP Nissan Skyline and nitrous-charged Volkswagen Jetta
BUTTONWILLOW, California - Timing is everything, and the timing of the new Cobalt SS Supercharged's introduction couldn't be better. As Chevy's new sport compact performance car debuts in dealer showrooms, it already has a record-setting pedigree. Driver John Heinricy piloted a race-prepared Cobalt SS Supercharged on a challenging road course at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park, besting both the legendary Nissan Skline and the new Volkswagen Jetta by more than seven seconds. The Cobalt SS, which is based on Chevy's new factory-built front-wheel-drive Super Sport, posted a time of 1:58 around Buttonwillow's #13 track configuration, which was fast enough to eclipse the marks set by the All-Wheel-Drive, twin-turbo Skyline (2:05) and the nitrous-charged Jetta (2:07).
"It was an absolute blast to run the Cobalt SS flat-out on the Buttonwillow track," said Heinricy, current SCCA driving champion and GM Performance Division's Director of High Performance Vehicle Operations. "GM Performance Division and the Powell Motorsports crew gave me a perfectly prepared car, and the Ecotec engine ran flawlessly."
A television crew from Speed Channel's Street Tuner Challenge was on hand to direct the day's competition at the track. The Street Tuner Challenge chose three vehicle makes representing North America (Chevrolet Cobalt SS), Europe (Volkswagen Jetta) and Asia (Nissan Skyline) and followed each team throughout a 13 week build competition. The Cobalt build team was comprised of engineers and designers from the GM Performance Division and Powell Motorsports, while the Nissan Skyline was built by XS Engineering and the Jetta was assembled by Autobahn Designs. The final time attack race served as the build completion and the culmination of Speed Channel's taping. For program times, please check Speed Channel's web site at http://www.speedtv.com.
The production Cobalt SS Supercharged has strong performance credentials in factory trim. Powered by a supercharged and intercooled 205-horsepower, 2.0-liter Ecotec DOHC four-cylinder engine and equipped with a tenacious suspension developed on Germany's famed Nurburgring race track, the production Cobalt SS Supercharged will bring more heat to the already red-hot sport compact segment.
GM Performance Division created the Cobalt SS for this time attack competition to demonstrate the ultimate capabilities of the four-cylinder, supercharged Ecotec engine and Chevy's new front-wheel-drive "tuner" car. The program was led by the GM Performance Division, in collaboration with Chevrolet, GM Powertrain, GM Performance Parts, and GM Design. Powell Motorsports, in Blackstock, Ontario, Canada provided vehicle preparation and logistical support for the successful assault on the time attack.
"The Cobalt SS surpassed every expectation we had going into this competition," said GM Performance Division Executive Director Mark Reuss. "We came to Buttonwillow to demonstrate the performance and reliability of the Ecotec engine on one of the most demanding tracks in the world. The Cobalt SS, driver John Heinricy, and the entire team performed to the highest standards. We're out here to be the best, and today we proved that Chevy and GM race to win."
Enthusiasts will be able to catch a live glimpse of the Time Attack Cobalt SS Supercharged this November at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. It will also run on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 in Super Street magazine's Time Attack at Buttonwillow Raceway Park.
Time Attack Cobalt SS Supercharged Specifications
Body/chassis structure:
Uni-body
Body material:
Two sided galvanized steel, carbon fiber doors, hood, decklid, rear wing, front splitter, roof
Chassis material:
Two sided galvanized steel, carbon fiber roof
Suspension
Front:
Macpherson strut, no front bar, increased spring rates, Ohlins adjustable struts
Rear:
Twisting beam with adjustable sway bar, increased spring rate, Ohlins adjustable shocks
Wheels:
9.5 x 18, 9.5 x 17
Tire size
Front:
245 40 17
Rear:
Same as front
Tire brand:
Hoosier DOT
Brakes:
111.6 / 296 x 1.02 / 26; vented discs front 0.6 / 270 x .55 / 14; solid discs
Powertrain
Engine:
ECOTEC LSJ Supercharged
With Stage 2 Kit:
Larger injectors, 77.9 mm pulley
Engine displacement (cu. in / cc):
2000 cc
Horsepower maximum (hp / kw):
265 hp (SAE)
Torque maximum (lbs-ft / Nm)
270 lb-ft
Transmission:
F35 5 spd mt with 4.45 final drive
Dimensions
Height (in / mm):
55.7
Length (in / mm):
180.3
Width (in / mm):
67.9
Wheelbase (in / mm):
103.3
Track
Front/rear (in / mm):
57.1/58.1 nominal
Weight (lbs / kg):
2300 lbs
CONTACTS
Cobalt SS Supercharged Wins Time Attack on 'Street Tuner Challenge'
Besting a 600 HP Nissan Skyline and nitrous-charged Volkswagen Jetta
BUTTONWILLOW, California - Timing is everything, and the timing of the new Cobalt SS Supercharged's introduction couldn't be better. As Chevy's new sport compact performance car debuts in dealer showrooms, it already has a record-setting pedigree. Driver John Heinricy piloted a race-prepared Cobalt SS Supercharged on a challenging road course at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park, besting both the legendary Nissan Skline and the new Volkswagen Jetta by more than seven seconds. The Cobalt SS, which is based on Chevy's new factory-built front-wheel-drive Super Sport, posted a time of 1:58 around Buttonwillow's #13 track configuration, which was fast enough to eclipse the marks set by the All-Wheel-Drive, twin-turbo Skyline (2:05) and the nitrous-charged Jetta (2:07).
"It was an absolute blast to run the Cobalt SS flat-out on the Buttonwillow track," said Heinricy, current SCCA driving champion and GM Performance Division's Director of High Performance Vehicle Operations. "GM Performance Division and the Powell Motorsports crew gave me a perfectly prepared car, and the Ecotec engine ran flawlessly."
A television crew from Speed Channel's Street Tuner Challenge was on hand to direct the day's competition at the track. The Street Tuner Challenge chose three vehicle makes representing North America (Chevrolet Cobalt SS), Europe (Volkswagen Jetta) and Asia (Nissan Skyline) and followed each team throughout a 13 week build competition. The Cobalt build team was comprised of engineers and designers from the GM Performance Division and Powell Motorsports, while the Nissan Skyline was built by XS Engineering and the Jetta was assembled by Autobahn Designs. The final time attack race served as the build completion and the culmination of Speed Channel's taping. For program times, please check Speed Channel's web site at http://www.speedtv.com.
The production Cobalt SS Supercharged has strong performance credentials in factory trim. Powered by a supercharged and intercooled 205-horsepower, 2.0-liter Ecotec DOHC four-cylinder engine and equipped with a tenacious suspension developed on Germany's famed Nurburgring race track, the production Cobalt SS Supercharged will bring more heat to the already red-hot sport compact segment.
GM Performance Division created the Cobalt SS for this time attack competition to demonstrate the ultimate capabilities of the four-cylinder, supercharged Ecotec engine and Chevy's new front-wheel-drive "tuner" car. The program was led by the GM Performance Division, in collaboration with Chevrolet, GM Powertrain, GM Performance Parts, and GM Design. Powell Motorsports, in Blackstock, Ontario, Canada provided vehicle preparation and logistical support for the successful assault on the time attack.
"The Cobalt SS surpassed every expectation we had going into this competition," said GM Performance Division Executive Director Mark Reuss. "We came to Buttonwillow to demonstrate the performance and reliability of the Ecotec engine on one of the most demanding tracks in the world. The Cobalt SS, driver John Heinricy, and the entire team performed to the highest standards. We're out here to be the best, and today we proved that Chevy and GM race to win."
Enthusiasts will be able to catch a live glimpse of the Time Attack Cobalt SS Supercharged this November at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. It will also run on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 in Super Street magazine's Time Attack at Buttonwillow Raceway Park.
Time Attack Cobalt SS Supercharged Specifications
Body/chassis structure:
Uni-body
Body material:
Two sided galvanized steel, carbon fiber doors, hood, decklid, rear wing, front splitter, roof
Chassis material:
Two sided galvanized steel, carbon fiber roof
Suspension
Front:
Macpherson strut, no front bar, increased spring rates, Ohlins adjustable struts
Rear:
Twisting beam with adjustable sway bar, increased spring rate, Ohlins adjustable shocks
Wheels:
9.5 x 18, 9.5 x 17
Tire size
Front:
245 40 17
Rear:
Same as front
Tire brand:
Hoosier DOT
Brakes:
111.6 / 296 x 1.02 / 26; vented discs front 0.6 / 270 x .55 / 14; solid discs
Powertrain
Engine:
ECOTEC LSJ Supercharged
With Stage 2 Kit:
Larger injectors, 77.9 mm pulley
Engine displacement (cu. in / cc):
2000 cc
Horsepower maximum (hp / kw):
265 hp (SAE)
Torque maximum (lbs-ft / Nm)
270 lb-ft
Transmission:
F35 5 spd mt with 4.45 final drive
Dimensions
Height (in / mm):
55.7
Length (in / mm):
180.3
Width (in / mm):
67.9
Wheelbase (in / mm):
103.3
Track
Front/rear (in / mm):
57.1/58.1 nominal
Weight (lbs / kg):
2300 lbs
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,024
Re: Cobalt beats Skyline and Jetta!
Did you watch the show? Of course the chevy won, it was a factory backed effort. Where the VW guys were worrying about how to shave rear tailights to make it look cool and adding speakers, the GM boys were re-engineering the suspention based on their cup cars. It was a great showing, but hardly a fair fight.
Registered User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 532
From: Jackson, NJ
Re: Cobalt beats Skyline and Jetta!
I just caught the end of that last night on T.V....I got real kick out of the fact that the Cobalt "racecar" took out a 800 hp skyline. I was lovin' every second of it 
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,579
From: The Land of Pleasant Living
Re: Cobalt beats Skyline and Jetta!
Originally Posted by slt
Did you watch the show? Of course the chevy won, it was a factory backed effort. Where the VW guys were worrying about how to shave rear tailights to make it look cool and adding speakers, the GM boys were re-engineering the suspention based on their cup cars. It was a great showing, but hardly a fair fight.
It sounds good to me, I'll have to look for it!
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,881
Re: Cobalt beats Skyline and Jetta!
IS there a stage 2 kit available for the Cobalt SS now? I did not even know there was a stage 1 kit. Anyone know what stage 2 produces? Got to be a good bump because I cant see then getting 60hp from just injectors and a pulley (well I can but then why not do it from the factory??). I have to watch the show and see how they got it down to 2300lbs.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 509
From: Modesto, CA
Re: Cobalt beats Skyline and Jetta!
I heard they all blew up or something? My brother told me they all had to be towed off the track after just a couple of laps. True or not? The write up doesn't mention anything about it.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,650
From: Indianapolis, IN
Re: Cobalt beats Skyline and Jetta!
Well, Heinricy is a badass driver, plain and simple. Plus, the GM team obviously focused on making the car perform well (adding some power, removing excess weight, focusing on handling, etc.).
Don't know how a team with a 600 hp car lost, though, unless the car was absolutely horrid to drive/handle and/or it broke. I didn't see the show.
And people think just anyone can be an automotive engineer...
Don't know how a team with a 600 hp car lost, though, unless the car was absolutely horrid to drive/handle and/or it broke. I didn't see the show.
And people think just anyone can be an automotive engineer...
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,801
From: South Bend , IN
Re: Cobalt beats Skyline and Jetta!
Originally Posted by falchulk
IS there a stage 2 kit available for the Cobalt SS now? .
A win is win is a win . Just shows in some situations hp isnt always king
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,312
From: Aurora, IL
Re: Cobalt beats Skyline and Jetta!
Thats a very impressive win on the Cobalts part. I still dont know how it could beat the Skyline when it is only packing half the power, but still good win nonetheless.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,011
Re: Cobalt beats Skyline and Jetta!
I watched that show last night, both the Jetta and the Skyline suffered problems. The Jetta just gave out on the last run with the nitrous and the Skyline suffered from "terrible braking" in the words of the test driver, plus he was having problems getting used to the right hand drive. In fact he admits missing a downshift into 2nd, hitting 4th instead. Also, the Skyline spun out at one point, and the driver said it felt like the differential seized up on him. Oh yeah, has anyone mentioned Heinrichy is a badd *** driver? 
All in all, a very cool show, the Skyline was really sick, it had over 800 hp, unfortunately there were little things like new wheel bearings that got left out by the tuners, which ended up causing them all sorts of problems. I would have liked to seen the GM team go all out on the Cobalt's motor. I would be interested in seeing how much HP it could have supported.
All in all, a very cool show, the Skyline was really sick, it had over 800 hp, unfortunately there were little things like new wheel bearings that got left out by the tuners, which ended up causing them all sorts of problems. I would have liked to seen the GM team go all out on the Cobalt's motor. I would be interested in seeing how much HP it could have supported.
