All-New 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe - Engineered for Performance driving

DETROIT - The 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe is the high-performance model in the Cobalt family of coupes and sedans that will debut in the fourth quarter of 2004. The Cobalt SS Supercharged builds upon the expressive design and dynamic driving experience of the Cobalt Coupe and Coupe SS.

“The Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe was developed to appeal to the tuner enthusiast,” said Pete Langenhorst, Chevrolet Cobalt marketing director. “We engineered from the very beginning all the key components to deliver an exciting driver’s high performance sport coupe – straight from the factory.”

Strong foundation - Body structure, chassis, suspension
The Cobalt was created on a strong foundation. The rigid lower-dominant body structure is engineered as a single unit for mass efficiency and stiffness. The underbody uses high-strength steel as welded members in strategic locations for maximum strength, structural integrity, mass optimization and crashworthiness.

The Cobalt’s suspension tuning was refined at Germany’s famous Nürburgring, one of the world’s most challenging road courses with more than 170 turns in nearly 13 miles.

Cobalt SS Supercharged features a strut-type front suspension, semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension, and increased diameter front and rear stabilizer bars with tuned suspension bushings. In addition, the chassis and springs were stiffened, the spring rates and damping were specially tuned and the shock strut valving was modified for a responsive, sport suspension feel. The monotube rear shocks with 33-millimeter pistons are larger in diameter than those found on standard Cobalts. The coupe’s ride height also has been reduced by 10 millimeters. The electric power steering also is tuned for increased driver feedback.

Large brakes and wheels
Cobalt SS Supercharged features four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. The front disc rotors are 11.6 inches in diameter, which is approximately 1 inch larger than the rotors on standard Cobalt models. The rear drum brakes standard in other Cobalts were also replaced with disc brakes with 10.6-inch rotors. They are mounted on an all-new rear axle assembly that incorporates revised suspension geometry.

The SS Supercharged features larger, five-bolt wheel hubs, brake calipers and brake pads. The larger calipers and brake pads allow greater braking capacity and are proven performance parts found in other high-performance GM vehicles.

Cobalt SS Supercharged features the segment’s leading wheel size with 18-inch forged-steel alloy wheels and P215/45R18 Z-rated performance tires.

High-performance powertrain
The Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe features a race-inspired Ecotec 2.0-liter supercharged four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission. Cobalt benefited from GM Racing’s successful Ecotec-powered cars competing in the NHRA Summit Sport Compact Racing Series with significant learnings transferred during the development of the Cobalt.

The Ecotec 2.0L SC four-cylinder engine delivers 205 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 200 lb.-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm. Compared to the Ecotec 2.2-liter I-4, the cam timing was altered significantly to raise the mid-range torque and to match it with the top-end power.

The engine includes an Eaton M62 helical roots-type supercharger and features an air-to-water intercooler to reduce the temperature of air entering the engine. The supercharger produces a maximum boost pressure of 12 pounds per square inch (psi).

The Ecotec 2.0L SC is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The 240-millimeter clutch assembly is larger on the 2.0-liter supercharged I-4 than the other naturally aspirated Ecotecs. The five-speed has close-ratio gearing that is tailored to the power band of the 2.0-liter engine. To improve acceleration the final drive ratio is also shorter at 4.05:1. A short-throw shifter quickens the shifts and provides a more positive feel as well. The shifter’s travel is approximately 1 inch shorter than the shifter found in standard Cobalt models. Equal length transmission half shafts are also utilized to address torque steer in this front-drive car.

Distinctive design and features
The exterior styling of the Cobalt SS Supercharged complements the performance aspects of the car. The front fascia features a large, deep air inlet and the rear fascia has a cutout for the large, chromed exhaust tip. Along with revised rocker moldings, the enhanced bodywork of the SS Supercharged visually lowers the coupe 1 inch. Halogen fog lamps are also included.

The Cobalt Supercharged SS comes standard with a unique, aggressive rear decklid spoiler. The coupe will offer five exterior body colors including Rally Yellow, Black, Orange Metallic, Victory Red and Arrival Blue Metallic.

The interior was also modified to complement the performance characteristics of the Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe. The accelerator pedal was redesigned to enable heel-and-toe driving to improve driver feedback and response. The interior also features titanium-faced speedometer, tachometer and gauges in the instrument cluster, and an A pillar-mounted boost gauge to monitor supercharger performance.

The interior color is Ebony with satin nickel accents on the instrument panel, shifter base and doors. The front leather seats include color-keyed perforated inserts, driver-side manual lumbar adjuster, adjustable head restraint, and passenger-side seatback map pocket. In addition, there is a 60/40 split-bench rear seat with color-keyed inserts and a trunk pass-through.

Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe offers a long list of standard features including air conditioning; power windows and locks; remote keyless entry; tilt steering wheel with mounted audio and cruise controls; electric rear defogger; CD player; MP3 playback; seven-speaker Pioneer premium sound system; and driver information center. Available features include side head curtain air bags, power sunroof, XM Satellite Radio and OnStar.

Story by Chevrolet