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. The Cobalt is intended to compete with compact cars like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, and VW Jetta.
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 high at 2808-2989 lb (1273-1355 kg), and best EPA fuel economy is 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway (9.4/6.9 L/100 km). The car is notable for its use of electrical power steering, rather than the 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.
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, and European Opel Astra. All Cobalts are currently manufactured at GM's Lordstown Assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio, although GM is considering moving production to Belgium in 2009 when the Cobalt is due for a redesign for the 2010 model year in a cost-cutting move[1]. A new deal is currently being discussed to keep production in Lordstown after 2009.
Although the EPA lists the Cobalt as a subcompact, the Cobalt is still a compact car
2007: Both engines were retuned for more power while retaining the same fuel economy. The 2.2 L Ecotec is now rated at 110 kW (148 hp) with the 2.4 L Ecotec rated at 130 kW (175 hp). Other changes include a new console, new steering wheel and new radio head unit that features an audio input jack.
Performance
The Cobalt is available with the SS performance package. There are two engine choices: the naturally-aspirated 2.4 L Ecotec rated at 171 bhp (129 kW) and the 2.0 L supercharged Ecotec engine rated at 205 bhp (155 kW). GM currently offers 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-lbs(40 Nm ) of torque. Both stage kits increase the engine redline to 7000 rpm.
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