Word. It definately needs to be a turbo 4, forget the 6 cylinder.

Also, I dont think it needs to outrun a SRT-4. Look at the VW's with the 1.8T. Stock they dont touch the SRT-4 but exhaust and chip and youre running 13s. They have a strong aftermarket, but the motor does plenty well in its stock form for normal drivers. I think Chevy should go for something along this route, which will be peppy and responsive stock, but mean if you want it to be as well.

 

I like the idea of an AWD Cobalt SS. However, I can't see that platform being anywhere near 20k if it was AWD. I think Chevy needs the Cobalt, if deemed SS, to be able to out perform the SRT-4 atleast in the straight line. They can't afford to have another SS dud. I mean Impala SS, Monte Carlo SS, Silverado SS, none of these really just have the image of performance. Chevy needs something with the name SS to kick @$$. That means you can't make it second place.
Cobalt SS 230 HP 2.2 Ecotec (this can be done with around 10-12 lbs of boost from what I've read about the eco) 20.5 K
Cobalt Z-24 175-180 HP 2.2 Ecotec 18K


Camaro top of the line whatever you call it must be a 400 HP 12 second monster then. Then Chevy will redeem it reputation of blue collar, cheap, American performance. The Ecotec is just as much of a contributer to this as the next gen V-8's.

 

Keep "SS" out of the Cobalts name.... i swear if they give it that name plate.....im selling mine for a mustang. It will be the least embarassing.

 

That's like selling your SVT Cobra because they made a SVT Focus or Contour. I think a 13 second Cobalt would earn the SS name. If the 3800 S/C Impala deserves it, I think we can accept the Cobalt. Besides, it seems to be the direction GM is taking with Chevy with their performance name.

 

Impala has had its V8 years.... and theyre gunna give it to 4 banger? yeeeeeck.... SVT is Special Vehicle Team... not the equivilent of SS. Hell.... why not have another model called the Stingray?

damn GM is getting really lame lately. If it wasnt for the Corvette....i dunno what it would do on the performance side of things right now.

 

Don't forget... the first "SS" ever had a straight six.

 

and the Cobalt SS will be a hell of a lot faster too.

I'd really like to see a lower cost Z24 model (msrp $17-18K) putting out 180-200HP, a V6 with some low end tq would be nice. VVT Ecotech could work too. When I was in high school (class of 97) those 88-93 V6 Z24s were the ****. Everyone I know stopped liking the Z24 not for its looks but b/c it now had a I4 and no V6

 

2.5 TS Sport Wagon
MSRP $17,895

2.5 RS Sedan
MSRP $19,395

These are Subaru's by the way, i just copied and pasted it from their website.

These are awd and under 20k.

Chevy can do it with the cobalt ss.

They need to attack the focus head on.

Cobalt ss- 2 door hatchback, awd, turbo 2.2 ecotech 230hp. 6-speed manual gearbox (no auto), 25K

Cobalt z24- any body configuration, fwd, NA 2.2 ecotech 180hp, 5speed manual or auto, under 20k

 

Suburu runs AWD on all teh cars it makes though. Economies of scale makes it that much cheaper to incorporate it into their designs.

 

Who says the cobalt ss has to be high volume?

VW built a limited number of R32 gti's.

2004 Volkswagen R32 Golf. From motor trend's website

Volkswagen elevates the Golf's sport compact status with the sizzling R32, offering more performance and prestige than any GTI. At the core of this special model is a 3.2-liter/241-horse V-6, routing its power through a six-speed manual, and ultimately putting it to the ground through an 4Motion all-wheel drive system. The German automaker claims a 0-60 mph time for this tautly sprung model of under 6.6 seconds with a 153 mph top speed. Beyond gusto, the two-door R32 touts an extensive array of standard equipment, including automatic climate control system, premium sound system, rain sensor, heated seats, and Xenon headlamps. Ample leather and aluminum trim complete the upscale interior treatment.

This would make a kickass cobalt ss

 

Just another way to look at this situation.....

While I like the idea of a quick Cobalt SS and I dont think it will steal buyers away from a potential V8 Camaro purchase, but what about the base V6 camaro?

So we are talking about potential 200 hp Cobalts that will most definatly weigh less than the base 5th gens making ? horsepower. I really dont see V6 camaros runnng 13s out of the showroom. Maybe 14s but thats right where we are placeing this Cobalt SS. I dont know if I like this too much. I'd rather see a super quick NA V6 camaro to take out the SRT-4 then a hopped up turbo car with 20lbs of boost. I see possible long term problems with cars with that much boost.

But hey if we have 12 second V8 Camaros and 13 second Base Camaros, sure build a low 14 second Cobalt SS. Why not?

 

True, but it would have to be an "off the shelf" component that could be adapted for relatively low cost. VW used an existing system in their limited production and I'd assume that GM would have to do the same. When I think GM and AWD, trucks come to mind with the exception of G6. Maybe there's a vehicle that I'm not thinking of right now though.

 

I doubt GM would want the base Camaro to perform that well because that'd jack up insurance on the base camaro, which is suppose to be more insurance friendly. I think a performance package for the base camaro under the name RS is a great idea. By this I mean 20-30 more horsepower than the base model. If GM can do this in a cheap package thats no more than 2-3K above the base package and still cheaper than the V-8's models, then I agree that'd negate the reason for a SS Cobalt. However, the Cobalt would still need a 180 HP ish model that atleast competes with the SVT Focus.

 

First off, I'd doubt that Chevy would ever offer an AWD Cobalt. It doesn't matter what everyone else charges for AWD...a Cobalt version would be substantially more expensive that the low $20 price expected for the Cobalt SS. I'd be shocked if Chevy went after niche players like Cosworth Focus with the Cobalt.

Also...Delta, which is Cobalt's platform, is said to be a great performer. There are rumors that the Ion Redline (which is a mechanical preview of Cobalt SS).....can handily outlap the SRT-4 around Nurburing....even with less power than the SRT-4.

I say keep it simple. Great handling. Power in the same neighborhood as SRT-4. And an attractive price.

....this is Cobalt's formula for success.

PS

Does Cobalt Z24 have a better ring to it than Cobalt SS?

 

I don't think that matters to GM. They want to cut all ties to the Cavalier (hense the name change for its replacement) because of the implied negative conotations of the model; so I seriously doubt that Z24 will ever be concidered for a performance version of the Cobalt.

Get used to it; other than Corvette, every Chevy performance version down the road will be called "SS"... and that includes a resurrected Camaro... for now.