Chevy cancels Cobalt SS Supercharged for 2008
It's been a little while since we talked about the Cobalt SS Supercharged and maybe that's part of the problem. Although this sporty version of the econo-minded Cobalt and one step up from the non-blown Cobalt SS has won its share of accolades from sporting organizations and publications, it hasn't seemed to keep up with the vehicles at the head of the sporty compact class. We know that it is a competent performer, but it seems that GM has quietly decided to discontinue it. The naturally aspirated SS, however, will soldier on, but with a new name. For 2008, the Cobalt SS becomes the Cobalt Sport, and the Cobalt SS Supercharged is being dropped altogether. It could be that Chevy wants to focus more attention on the upcoming HHR SS we showed you a little while ago. Whatever the reasoning, it appears the little Cobalt that could, will be no more. Unless, of course, Chevy is just working on finding a way to get the GXP/Redline 260-hp mill into the Cobalt's engine bay. Follow the jump for the full list of changes for the 2008 Cobalt.
Thanks for the tip, Chris!
[Source: GM]
Deletions
- (21U) Laser Blue Metallic exterior color
- (56U) Sunburst Orange Metallic exterior color
- LTZ Sedan model
- SS Supercharged Coupe model
New Features
- (37U) Imperial Blue Metallic exterior color
- (39U) Blue Flash Metallic exterior color
- (87U) Slate Metallic exterior color
- (JL4) StabiliTrak stability control system
- (NW9) Traction control
- (ASD) Head-curtain side-impact air bag delete for Fleet and Government order types
- (UE0) OnStar delete for Fleet and Government order types
Changes
- 1AM37 is now called Sport Coupe and the equipment group code is now 1SP
- 1AM69 is now called Sport Sedan and the equipment group code is now 1SP
- (TV5) Sport Package is now called Performance Appearance Package and is an available option on 2LT Coupe and 2LT Sedan. The 3LT Coupe and 3LT Sedan equipment groups are deleted.
- (ASF) Head-curtain side-impact air bags are now standard on all models
- (US8) AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback is now standard on all models
- (U2K) XM Satellite Radio is now standard on all models
- Instrument panel uppers are now Ebony on all models
- LT Sedan with neutral interior now has woodgrain trim
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dan 9:12PM (2/17/2008)
I just bought yesterday a brand new 2007 Chevy Cobalt SS SC. I would like to have more details how to upgrade to up to 300HP.
Mark said:
"It only takes $2000 without doing an "overhaul" of the cobalt. The cobalt SS supercharged can get to 310 hp with an intake, headers, exhaust, bigger injectors, smaller pulley, and a few other small things. I checked pricing on these parts=$1930 plus taxes (this already includes shipping, but could receive a shpping discount)."
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chris 4:29PM (3/04/2008)
How many Cobalt SC were made?
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Eric 1:27AM (5/24/2008)
They are coming out with the 260 hp motor from the hhr ss in the cobalt next year. i talked to one of the guys at my local dealership and thats what there doing for the cobalt now.
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Tyo 3:56PM (6/04/2007)
I Agree that the current SS Supercharged shoould have had a heart transplat to the 260hp turbo 2.0. Many people dont know the SS was equipped with an LSD, which would make it handle the 260hp turbo motor quite well. I really hope they bring this car back as an 09 model, or maybe no chevy version and a G5/Pursuit Redline instead. Just keep the LSD! i think every FWD car should have one.
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felipe 4:04PM (6/04/2007)
always disliked the Cavilier, they just made it worse when it became this.
at least they didnt do something dumb and dump the car altogether, only to announce 1yr later it's coming back and going to revive the Vega name.
oh yea, there was no need for the SuperCharger, the turbo 2.0 would be a better choice.
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Dave 9:30AM (6/05/2007)
If you didn't like the Cavaliar, why do you think that this car is worse?
The road tests that I have read put this car at the top of the class. The Civic doesn't have a model with this performance.
The regular Cobalt also shows well in road tests and has been seen in the top 3 in several tests. The Civic is or Mazda is not a superior car, they just may have an edge in certain areas but that doesn't mean its not competitive when it is.
jeremy 3:57PM (6/07/2007)
the Cobalt isn't a cavalier, it's a completely different platform. I test drove many cars in the same market (Mazda3, Mazda6, Civic Si), and none of them had as much power, as good of suspension, or as good of styling cues as the Cobalt SS Supercharged. This engine responds very well to simple modifications. True, if you want to go fast in a straight line, turbo is the way to go--but if you're setting up for road course or FWD autocross, supercharged with LSD can't be beat. I do wish it was a bit lighter though, and the torque steer on a stock SS is just as bad as a Mazda3 (though a $150 torque damper eliminated it). I think it's a great car for the money, and don't regret my purchase. If anything, my car will be more valuable in a couple years by SCCA racers because of the limited production, much like the ACR Neon is now. :)
Big Mike Wood 4:08PM (6/04/2007)
Big horsepower is nice but I'd rather see the money spent on a more competitive vehicle. Yea, the Cobalt is cool but when it's going up against Civic's and Mazda3's it just can't compete.
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Ron Martin 6:02PM (6/04/2007)
I own a Cobalt SS Supercharged and I beg to differ on your comment...Look at the numbers, the awards and achievements the Cobalt SS has made and would outperform a Civic and a Mazda3. It has been one of the funnest cars i have ever owned. With the optional upgrade packages you can't beat it. The 205hp Stock power rating was way underspeced for this car. I was dynoed at 216hp stock. I have my money on that we will see the redline motor in this car in '09.
bryce 1:00PM (6/11/2007)
out performs?. . . in what areas?! i dont think so. the Mazdaspeed is the only car that even competes out of the two that u mentioned...
the best cars for competitive racing are as follows
Used srt-4
Mazdaspeed 6 and speed 3
Saturn ion redline (sister car to the cobalt)
VW Gti 2.0 t two door
Wrx limited
350z
rx-8
and some others
There are test result / time slips from a cobalt ss supercharged stage two that are in the mid 13's for the 1/4 mile and 0-60 is around 5.5-5.7
so please tell how a Civic can run with any of those cars mentioned especialy with it's floppy chassie, week brakes and so proclamed unresponsive engine on the track or on the street go to chevorlet .com and u can find a cobalt ss supercharged for only 20,-21grand...
Mike 4:18PM (6/04/2007)
Dropping the Cobalt SS to focus on the HHR SS?! Hmm, abandoning one painted turd so you can decorate another.
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Chris 4:20PM (6/04/2007)
The GXP's turbo/DI powerplant will indeed make its way into the Cobalt.
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Bob-omb 4:36PM (6/04/2007)
Nice to see that curtain airbags are finally standard. Although, I'm assuming torso bags will still be hard to find.
I was kinda surpised to see Stablitrak will be offered. Just on certain models, prehaps? Hardly any compact cars offer this now. Just some of the high-end Civics, Corollas, and Mazda3s.
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MikeW 5:09PM (6/04/2007)
I like to see a 6 speed auto with the regular 2.4.
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HotRodzNKustoms 4:48PM (6/04/2007)
I've always had a soft spot in my heart for these cheap pocket rockets. Just proves you don't need to spend alot of money to have a hoon-tastic daily driver.
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Aki 5:13PM (6/04/2007)
"I Agree that the current SS Supercharged shoould have had a heart transplat to the 260hp turbo 2.0. Many people dont know the SS was equipped with an LSD, which would make it handle the 260hp turbo motor quite well."
Actually the LSD was only available as an option (G85 package) and isn't standard.
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Carlos 5:22PM (6/04/2007)
It was a great car, faster than most of its competitors on a wide variety of tracks, but I don't think it was ever as fun or as nice to drive. The looks let it down too.
Much the same story as the SRT-4; cars like that perform so well that people paying more than $20k for a car will give up some performance for refinement.
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RACER X 6:06PM (6/04/2007)
You people obviously aren't educated on the SS Supercharged at all. The thing could easily be transformed into a small rocket ship with a smaller puller and bigger fuel injectors. It's a damn shame to see it go and the 2.0 Turbo engine will be harder to tune and upgrade. The LSJ in the SS Supercharged was easily capable of nearly 300 hp without touching the internals. It also beat a Mustang GT around a track stock. My friend has the SS Supercharged suspension components in his Cobalt and it handles like its on rails. Especially impressive for a FWD car.
So get your shit straight before you start blasting a terrific car. I think that was the main problem with the car, not many people knew the details on it so there wasn't much interest.
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fusion 1:31PM (6/05/2007)
"You people obviously aren't educated on the SS Supercharged at all. The thing could easily be transformed into a small rocket ship with a smaller puller and bigger fuel injectors. It's a damn shame to see it go and the 2.0 Turbo engine will be harder to tune and upgrade. The LSJ in the SS Supercharged was easily capable of nearly 300 hp without touching the internals."
To be fair, the LSJ needs an almost complete overhaul to push that 300hp barrier, and is severely limited in overall potential. Of course this is a nonfactor for those looking to keep the car as is.
"It also beat a Mustang GT around a track stock. My friend has the SS Supercharged suspension components in his Cobalt and it handles like its on rails. Especially impressive for a FWD car."
Though the Cobalt truly is a great handler, beating a Mustang GT is only a feat at all because the GT has a nearly 2 second edge in the quarter mile, but can not compete with a sub 3000 pound vehicle built to turn...
"So get your shit straight before you start blasting a terrific car. I think that was the main problem with the car, not many people knew the details on it so there wasn't much interest. "
There really wasn't all that much misinformation in the posts above yours. And as far as competing with cars in its segment, its barely fair to compare it to a Civic Si, nonetheless a regular Mazda 3. The Mazdaspeed 3 however, is much closer, but pretty much dominates the Cobalt in every category. It really is no wonder it is being discontinued, because despite its pluses, it just can't compete with other specialty vehicles in the segment. Cobalts sell well, but the SS was initially fitted for direct competition against cars like the previous Dodge Neon SRT-4 (and soon the new Dodge Caliber SRT-4) as well as the Mazdaspeed 3... both of which are specialty vehicles produced in limited quantities as the SS supercharged was.
mark 10:53AM (10/24/2007)
It only takes $2000 without doing an "overhaul" of the cobalt. The cobalt SS supercharged can get to 310 hp with an intake, headers, exhaust, bigger injectors, smaller pulley, and a few other small things. I checked pricing on these parts=$1930 plus taxes (this already includes shipping, but could receive a shpping discount). People need to stop shooting off shit without knowing what they are talking about. I own one and sell them. An for your info, the cobalt does beat a 2004 and under mustang Gt-stock cobalt!!!!