Chevrolet Cobalt

Chevrolet Cobalt
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	2004–present
Assembly	Lordstown, Ohio
Predecessor	Chevrolet Cavalier
Class	Compact
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	GM Delta platform
Engine(s)	2.0 L Turbo LNF I4 2.0 L S/C LSJ I4 2.2 L L61 I4 2.4 L LE5 I4
Transmission(s)	5-speed F35 (MU3) manual 5-speed Getrag F23 manual 4-speed 4T45 automatic
Wheelbase	262.4 cm (103.3 in)
Length	458.5 cm (180.5 in) (coupe) 457.9 cm (180.3 in) (sedan)
Width	172 cm (67.9 in)
Height	145 cm (57.1 in) (sedan) 141 cm (55.5 in) (coupe)
Fuel capacity	49 litres (13 US gal/11 imp gal)
Related	Chevrolet HHR Saturn Ion Pontiac G5 Opel Astra

The Chevrolet Cobalt is a compact car introduced by Chevrolet in 2004 for the 2005 model year. The Cobalt replaced the Cavalier as Chevrolet's compact car.

It is available as both a coupe and sedan and is based upon the GM Delta platform, along with the Chevrolet HHR, Pontiac G5, Saturn Ion, Astra (Opel, Vauxhall, Holden, and Saturn marques), and the Opel Zafira (a seven seat van). All Cobalts are currently manufactured at GM's Lordstown Assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio. Although the EPA lists the Cobalt as a subcompact, the Cobalt is still a compact car. In 2009, the Cobalt and its sibling, the Pontiac G5 will get a restyling, with production being moved to Mexico while GM Lordstown gets the next-generation, U.S.-spec Cadillac BLS, a Pontiac sibling, and a small crossover based on the next-generation Chevrolet Aveo.

Specifications

The front suspension is independent with MacPherson struts, while a semi-independent torsion bar is used in the rear. The wheelbase is 103.3 in (262.4 cm), longer than its competitors, and the width is 68.4 in (173.8 cm). Weight is average in-class, at 2681 lb for the coupe and 2747 lb for the sedan. (1216-1246 kg), and best EPA fuel economy is 25 mpg–U.S. (9.41 L/100 km / 30 mpg–imp) city/36 mpg–U.S. (6.53 L/100 km / 43.2 mpg–imp) highway. The car is notable for its use of an electric power steering system developed by Koyo Seiko, rather than a conventional hydraulic system. It is built at the General Motors plant in Lordstown, Ohio.

Year-to-year changes

• 2006: A non-supercharged Cobalt SS was added to the lineup. This car is equipped with a 2.4 L naturally-aspirated Ecotec inline-4. The LS became the base model while the LT was marketed as a mid-range package; the top level trim was now the LTZ. In addition, as with most other GM vehicles that year, GM's Mark of Excellence symbol was added to both front fenders near the doors.

• 2007: Both engines were retuned for more power while retaining the same fuel economy. The 2.2 L Ecotec is now rated at 148 hp (110 kW) with the 2.4 L Ecotec rated at 173 hp (129 kW). Other changes include a new console, new steering wheel and new radio head unit that features an audio input jack. In addition, all models except the LS and LT1 now use a 5x110 wheel bolt pattern. The LS and LT1 retained the standard 4x100. In addition, the 2007 model year marked the introduction of a new 32-bit computer that replaced the 16-bit unit from 2006.

• 2008: The 2.4L naturally aspirated, high-output SS coupe and SS sedan were renamed to "Sport Coupe" and "Sport Sedan" respectively. The new Cobalt SS features a 260 hp (194 kW) turbocharged engine, replacing the Supercharged engine which was offered from 2005-2007. At mid-year, the fuel economy was increased to 25 city, 36 highway MPG on the LS and 1LT, coupe and sedan models with manual transmission; now labeled with XFE badging (X-tra Fuel Economy). Regular Cobalts also get a facelift, with a new grille from the former Cobalt SS. XM Radio, side-impact air bags for improved safety, and MP3 player are now standard instead of optional. StabiliTrak stability control system is introduced. Other changes include the adding and removal of several exterior and interior colors.

Performance

The 2008 Cobalt is available with the SS performance package, which includes a 260-hp 2.0L I-4 turbocharged engine with variable valve timing, rated at MPG 22 city, 30 hwy, with its 5-speed manual transmission. The 2008 turbocharged SS package has been well-received in the automotive press.

The Cobalt SS posted a front-wheel-drive record at the Nürburgring test track in Germany. It posted a time of 8:22.85 minutes, beating the previous record by more than 13 seconds.

The 2008 Cobalt line also offers a Sport model, with a naturally aspirated 171-hp high-output engine, rated at MPG 22 city/32 hwy (manual transmission), and 22 city/31 hwy (automatic transmission). Previous to 2008 this power combination was offered as one of the SS package combinations.

GM currently offers, for the LSJ supercharged engine, dealer-installed performance upgrade packages called "stage kits" that are covered by factory warranty. The Stage 1 kit consists of new fuel injectors and a reprogram of the ECU, and yields up to a 30 bhp (22 kW) improvement. The Stage 2 kit consists of new fuel injectors and the same reprogram with a smaller serpentine belt and pulley for the supercharger, producing a 40 bhp (30 kW ) improvement and 30 ft·lbf (40 Nm) of torque. Both stage 1 and 2 kits increase the engine redline to 7000 rpm. The Stage 3 kit consists of a smaller, 76 mm (3 in) supercharger pulley, a 2-pass intercooler end plate and a customizable replacement ECU. The Stage 3 ECU allows for the use of a 50-shot of nitrous, 100 octane fuel and an adjustable redline from 6750 to 8000 rpm. Stage 3 produces 248 bhp using 93 octane fuel, up to 260 bhp using 100 octane fuel, and much higher bhp with nitrous. Stage 3 is for off-road use only, and to emphasize this, air conditioning is disabled with the Stage 3 ECU.

Safety

According to the IIHS the Cobalt receives a perfect score for front collisions. However, it receives a poor overall score for side impacts without side curtain airbags, and an average overall score with side curtain airbags.

The Cobalt only offers stability control as an option on Sport models. Side airbags are limited to head-curtain type, thorax type side airbags are unavailable.

Recalls

In early 2007, 98,000 Cobalt coupes were recalled after it was discovered they did not meet federal safety requirements because of a lack of adequate padding in a specific area of the vehicle's trim, which may result in unacceptable head injuries.

Chevrolet Cobalt LT sedan

Chevrolet Cobalt SS sedan

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged coupe

Engines

Years	Engine	Power	Torque
2005–2006	2.2 L Ecotec L61 I4	145 hp (108 kW)	155 lb·ft (210 N·m)
2007-present	2.2 L Ecotec L61 I4	148 hp (110 kW)	155 lb·ft (210 N·m)
2005–2007	2.0 L Ecotec LSJ S/C I4	205 hp (153 kW)	200 lb·ft (271 N·m)
2006	2.4 L Ecotec LE5 I4	171 hp (128 kW)	163 lb·ft (221 N·m)
2007-present	2.4 L Ecotec LE5 I4	173 hp (129 kW)	163 lb·ft (221 N·m)
2008-present	2.0 L Ecotec LNF Turbo I4	260 hp (194 kW)	260 lb·ft (353 N·m)

Sales

Model Year	Sales
2005	212,667
2006	211,450
2007	200,620

Racing

Chevrolet Cobalts are currently used in the KONI Challenge Series and in the National Hot Rod Association in both Sport Compact and Pro Stock classes. Jeg Coughlin, Jr. won the 2007 Powerade Championship in a Cobalt Pro Stock.