IRONFIST

They obviously have some work to do still. The engine is hitting redline before it hits peak power, now that's just retarded Considering the Cobalt has the exact same engine... it probably will also have the same problem, on top of that they're bleading off boost pressure at high rpm's. How do they expect to compete with a half baked set-up like that?
Sure the Cobalt will be lighter, and faster ( my Cav weighs in at a bit over 2500) but I really doubt it will be anywhere near the SRT-4.
I know there are a lot of people making very good power (as much as, if not more then the SRT-4) using Turbo'd ECO's in Cavaliers.... so it might actually be better to get the regular 2.2 ECO or maybe the 2.4 ECO and turbo it yourself... then to buy the 2.0SC

87camracer

are we living in the past? they died 2 years ago but that doesnt mean there arent any coming out.

400hp GTO
400HP vette
500hp vette
625hp vette
400hp 5th gen
possible 500+hp 5th gen
500hp cobra
390hp cobra
500+hp lightning
500+hp ford GT
300+hp mustang

yup the v8 rwd performance market is dead. i personally feel the import craze will start dying off once these cars start hitting the streets and become affordable. personal opinion tho.

MrBonus

The only cars that normal people can afford that are ACTUALLY ON THE STREET on the last are the Cobra and the Z06.

Dan Oldham

Regardless of what GM did or didn't do, the car will sell. Even if it weighs 2900lbs, it's still a decent performing car for the money. The SRT4 will probably last about 40,000 miles before it starts falling apart.

Maybe the Saturn Red Line isn't as fast as the SRT4, but you can almost guarantee that it will be more reliable.

Big Red Jim

What the hell are you smoking? The turbo 2.4 was deemed reliable enough for police use, and I can't think of anyone harder on vehicles than them.

RiceEating5.0

Marauder will most likely get a blown 4.6 from 03/04 Cobra. Maybe the leftovers after 06 Cobra moves up to a S/c 5.4. Chrysler should have a Hemi powered Charger, Magnum, and 300C out within a year. There's also rumors that the cougar will come back on a Mustang platform and it might very well get the same v8 engines. There's also the possibility of us seeing some of Holden and Ford of Ausi's creations (other than GTO) here stateside too and i know this is being considered.

So yeah, it is far from dead. If anything, v8's are making a comeback. But sport compacts are hot and will remain hot as well. How long? None knows, but they aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

RiceEating5.0

Yeah, some import mag said it was built like a tank. Supposed to be a really solid 4 banger.

But reliability is yet to be known though. The previous N/A neons didn't exactly have a reputation for reliability, but i think DC built this one right.

Big Red Jim

Several magazines have had their hands inside the 2.4 Hot Rod is one of them, as is Sport Compact Car.

MrBonus

The SRT-4 is one stout 4-banger. It may even be better built than the 4G63.

Dan Oldham

We'll see how well they hold up.

MrBonus

Wow. It must be REALLY well built to rev to 55 thousand RPMs.

Big Red Jim

The redline is 6 grand you pudiferous bitch!

of course, it doesn't make power above 5,500, so you're actually right

IRONFIST

Actually, if the Cobalt weighs the same as the Cavalier, 200 to the ground is in the 13's.....
Doesn't the SRT-4 run 14's? (stock)?

305fan

Something is wrong here as the magazine article does get around to mentioning.

200hpo to the wheels for that weight and it should be faster.

I will have to reserve judgement until some more magazines get a car to test.

As far as not being as fast as the SRT-4 I will say this:

1. That car is damn fast. Nothing else in its class comes (or price range) comes close.

2. GM didn't setout to take on the SRT-4.
Now that might be a mistake but consider this.
Just becasue one car is slower then another doens't make it a bad car. Or an undesirable car. If you like the car and its fsast enough for YOU--then you'll probably buy.

The LS1 F-bodies stomped all over the Mustangs yet still sold less.
Moral of the story? Hp does not = sales. And GM wants sales.

Saying that, I hope they do manage to pump up the power.
Add a LSD and use a Blown (or turbo) 2.4L Eco-tec

Meccadeth

I don't care who thinks the Ion Redline is a dissapointment, I would much rather have it than any other sport compact on the market right now. Looks cool, its fast (for what it is) and it makes a nice A to B car for a good price.