
Click above to view more new high-res shots of the 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS
Everything looks better with proper lighting. The 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS just stepped into the studio for its glamour shots and they didn't come out half bad. Though the Cobalt itself is somewhat ancient compared to other small cars that have been significantly redesigned in the past few years, it still sells well and the Cobalt SS will likely be the cheapest cost of entry into the wonderful world of direct injection technology when it goes on sale. Its motor is the same one used in the Pontiac Solstice GXP, Saturn Sky Red Line and Chevy HHR SS. The turbocharged, direct-inject 2.0L four cylinder produces 260 horsepower and 260 pound feet of torque, though is tasked with towing around a lighter weight package than other inexpensive pocket rockets like the Dodge Caliber SRT-4 and Mazdaspeed3. Torque steer, of course, is always an issue, but the FE5 sport suspension package was tuned on the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany and GM promises a ride you can live with on a daily basis. As for the design, it's 95% Cobalt and 5% go-fast tomfoolery. That combination makes for a great sleeper car, as the Cobalt SS does not announce itself on arrival. The 10-split-spoke wheels, subtle (and still useless on a FWD car) rear spoiler, new fog lamps and side sills are extremely tasteful. No scoops and fender vents here, thank you very much. We'll start bothering GM for one to review right now, but in the meantime check out the new 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS shots in the gallery below.
BONUS: GM also release four new shots of the Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept
[Source: GM]












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
len simpson @ Mar 6th 2008 2:30PM
make the cobalt a 3 dr & they will come
Mallory @ Mar 6th 2008 7:51PM
A 3 door? I'm sure you meant 4 door. Somebody should call Detroit and tip them to the fact that people don't buy coupes or hatchbacks. People in the U.S. buy sedans. And they wonder why they can't sell cars.
Chad @ Mar 6th 2008 2:40PM
What kind of shots? Did you say beauty?
Jason @ Mar 6th 2008 2:46PM
I have to admit, that is a good looking car. I prefer the G5 nose though. Those wheels would look best painted jet black.
Scott @ Mar 6th 2008 7:11PM
The problem is the interior is still from the days before GM "saw the light."
Nathan @ Mar 6th 2008 2:40PM
please close the or tags on [Source: GM] so the rest of the page isn't italicized
Aaron Slater @ Mar 6th 2008 2:48PM
Wow, kind of a hurried photo shoot, I think this is the first time I've seen PR photos with an actual, legitimate license plate on the vehicle. Plus they didn't stage the stereo's display well (reads "No XM Signal").
Still, a good looking car, even if I can't fit in it.
Owain Ozymandias Buck @ Mar 6th 2008 2:53PM
Is there a spoiler delete option? Even the Mustang has that.
SPG @ Mar 6th 2008 2:58PM
I love it when people opt to delete the spoiler on Mustang GT's somehow.
Dave @ Mar 8th 2008 8:23AM
Descent looking car for this class though the Mazda is probably still the best looker.
Scott, have you ever been in a Cobalt? The interior is pretty good if you are talking about the front seat area. It isn't noticeably different from the competitors and probably has more front room than most.
Yes there is a spoiler delete option.
Thedevil @ Mar 6th 2008 3:00PM
Beauty shot? oh its (john neff), go figure!
Jared @ Mar 6th 2008 3:00PM
Lipstick on a pig. It is still a Cobalt.
naggs @ Mar 6th 2008 3:19PM
but its one very fast very affordable pig
should ruin the mazdaspeed 3 at the track and take the bang for the buck crown
Joe @ Mar 6th 2008 3:47PM
It looks a lot better than those Camrys.
MikeW @ Mar 6th 2008 4:34PM
Isn't the mazdaspeed3 EOL?
What kind of rear suspension does this have?
http://media.gm.com/us/chevrolet/en/product_services/r_cars/r_c_cobalt/r_c_08Cobalt_SS/specs.htm
Dual beam headlights, perfect for a 150mph+ car
Way to build 'premium' products GM.
dcheam @ Mar 6th 2008 6:38PM
Rear suspension: semi-independent torsion beam with montoube gas shocks.
Isn't that 'low-tech' and provides poorer handling versus multi-link set ups like the Honda Civic Si, Mazdaspeed3, and Volkswagen GTI?
And the registration stickers on the license plate look a little crooked.
naggs @ Mar 6th 2008 7:11PM
the rear suspension is low tech and cheap, but it works.
this car will weigh at least 600 lbs less than the MS3, that is the real advantage that overcomes a few hp and a less sophisticated rear suspension
Menice @ Mar 6th 2008 3:01PM
wish gm ever rid themselves of that horrilbe tail template they use for every other car?
Travis @ Mar 6th 2008 3:10PM
3-door please. also, any word on price and weight? the coupe aspect is a definite turn-off for me, but if they made it into a lightweight 3-door/hatchback I'd definitely be considering it for my next car...
naggs @ Mar 6th 2008 3:21PM
the ss supercharged weighed about 2800 lbs and cost 22k or 23k with the recaros and LSD
i hope both of those options come standard on this car, 260 hp thru the front wheel is hard enough, without a LSD, total waste of time