Cobalt SS: Edmunds

[Raza]

 We come to our first serious corner on Glendora Mountain Road, and the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe delivers the unexpected. It turns into a tight left-hander with the haste and hunger of an import sport compact. Perhaps most surprising of all, it gives the impression of being happy to do it.

Instead of savoring the moment, we get back on the throttle. We hear the euphoric sigh of the turbocharger, followed by a throbbing exhaust note out the back. The sounds are distinct even to the distracted ear, and they refuse to harmonize. It's an old-school touch in a car full of new-school kit, and you realize there's quite a bit going on with the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS.

It's an odd feeling, because with that familiar Chevy face and Pro Stock-size rear wing, you wonder if you're getting behind the wheel of last year's car. But give this 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe an hour of your time on a good road and it takes you somewhere completely different....


Sharp reflexes and a neutral cornering attitude make the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe addictive to drive on roads with tight turns.


To minimize torque steer under hard acceleration, torque is limited based on gear selection and steering angle, similar to what Mazda does on the Mazdaspeed 3.


Heavy suspension modifications result in a Cobalt SS that's composed in any situation but never harsh-riding. This setup should be standard on all Cobalts.

More pictures and the rest of the article:
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=125288/pageNumber=1#5

I'm really beginning to like this car.  I liked the SS/SC; I thought it was a powerful, muscle-caresque alternative to the Honda Civic Si.  Less polished and slightly less fun to drive, but punchy and enjoyable.  Turns out this car is set to be a real performance car.  I'd like to see what the detractors have to say about it now.

[SVT666]

The SS/SC is a great car.  This car sounds even better.  I can't wait to drive it.

[Raza]

The SS/SC is a great car.  This car sounds even better.  I can't wait to drive it.

I'm definitely going to give it a shot as soon as it hits theaters.  I really want to like this even more than I like the CSi.

I'm not sure I'll like the way the sedan looks, but if they ditch the big spoiler I'd be all over it.  And that blue is very attractive.

[SVT666]

I'm definitely going to give it a shot as soon as it hits theaters.  I really want to like this even more than I like the CSi.

I'm not sure I'll like the way the sedan looks, but if they ditch the big spoiler I'd be all over it.  And that blue is very attractive.

The smaller spoiler was available on the last SS/SC so I don't see why it wouldn't be on this one.  I only like the big spoiler because the top of the line car is the only one that gets it, and the smaller one makes it look like you have the NA version, and that's what I like about the smaller wing...sleeper.

[Raza]

The smaller spoiler was available on the last SS/SC so I don't see why it wouldn't be on this one.  I only like the big spoiler because the top of the line car is the only one that gets it, and the smaller one makes it look like you have the NA version, and that's what I like about the smaller wing...sleeper.

Rear visibility is kind of poor in the Cobalt from what I remember, so having a big spoiler eating up half the rear window isn't ideal for it. 

And large spoilers are odd sometimes.  In some cars, they make me feel very silly (like in the STI) and in some cars I don't care that they're there (Evo).  I just get the feeling that I'd feel silly with this one.

I wish they'd have one without a spoiler.  I wonder how much downforce the spoiler (or spoilers) actually create, or rather, how much lift it negates. 

[SVT666]

Rear visibility is kind of poor in the Cobalt from what I remember, so having a big spoiler eating up half the rear window isn't ideal for it. 

With the big spoiler, the rear visibility is kind of terrible.

[Champ]

Looks like a awesome car!

I bet the wing does more than you'd think.

[Raza]

Looks like a awesome car!

I bet the wing does more than you'd think.

I bet they could have done the same with a diffuser like on the Clio 197.

[the Teuton]

Something tells me this car is far better than the POS LS model I drove last year.

[CALL_911]

Something tells me this car is far better than the POS LS model I drove last year.

Bullshit. No way.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Not bad for a GM

[Cookie Monster]

Something tells me this car is far better than the POS LS model I drove last year.

I wonder what that could be?

[Submariner]

Something tells me this car is far better than the POS LS model I drove last year.

It's not like it would take a lot to accomplish that...

[Lazerous]

Wow! I'm impressed about it's performance.
In terms of looks, the front end looks too conservative and dated. I like the rest though.

Oh, I'm not saying the front is ugly.....just old looking for an otherwise decent car.

[Raza]

Wow! I'm impressed about it's performance.
In terms of looks, the front end looks too conservative and dated. I like the rest though.

Oh, I'm not saying the front is ugly.....just old looking for an otherwise decent car.

How can it be conservative and dated?  Conservative designs are generally timeless.  Radical designs, like Cadillac's Art and Science become dated very quickly.

[Lazerous]

How can it be conservative and dated?  Conservative designs are generally timeless.  Radical designs, like Cadillac's Art and Science become dated very quickly.

Which is where the last part of my post comes into play. I'm not saying it's ugly, it just doesn't flow with the rest of the car which appears to have a fresh new-school design.

[Raza]

Which is where the last part of my post comes into play. I'm not saying it's ugly, it just doesn't flow with the rest of the car which appears to have a fresh new-school design.

I don't see it.      

But then again you have an Accord coupe and a Camaro.  I shouldn't be asking you what cars look good.   

[hotrodalex]

I don't see it.      

But then again you have an Accord coupe and a Camaro.  I shouldn't be asking you what cars look good.   

Camaro's look great. 

[Lazerous]

I don't see it.     

But then again you have an Accord coupe and a Camaro.  I shouldn't be asking you what cars look good.  

...
Really? I mean you actually felt like you had to go that low?

Oh, and I never said the car looked bad. Simply that the front end doesn't match with the design of the rest of the car.

[Raza]

Camaro's look great. 

Yeah, the 1969 did!

[Raza]

...
Really? I mean you actually felt like you had to go that low?

Oh, and I never said the car looked bad. Simply that the front end doesn't match with the design of the rest of the car.

I had three smileys.  I guess you know to disregard them when I'm just trying sound like I'm not being mean.

[TheIntrepid]

I'd rock one in black with a spoiler delete.

[sandertheshark]

I'd rock one in black with a spoiler delete.

I like the idea of having a cobalt blue Cobalt.  It would just be so damn literal!

[TheIntrepid]

I like the idea of having a cobalt blue Cobalt.  It would just be so damn literal!

ehh...I'd rock most good cars in black.

[Cookie Monster]

ehh...I'd rock most good cars in black.

Is rocking a car similar to stoning it?

Why would you want to do that?

[CALL_911]

Is rocking a car similar to stoning it?

Why would you want to do that?

No, it means that you would own it.

[Raza]

I like the idea of having a cobalt blue Cobalt.  It would just be so damn literal!

I really like that color.  Plus, I already have a black car.

[Cookie Monster]

No, it means that you would own it.

I was kidding.

[TheIntrepid]

Is rocking a car similar to stoning it?

Why would you want to do that?

It means I'd drive one.

[Lazerous]

Yeah, the 1969 did!

The 95 is a damn fine beast.