Filed under: Coupes, Economy, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchbacks, Chevrolet, GM
Chevy getting new small, turbocharged car next year
The industry-wide shrinking of US automobiles is in its infant stages, but new products are coming in a big fat hurry. GM is preparing a new compact model based on the Delta platform, and it will feature the General's new 1.4-liter turbo powerplant. GM isn't spilling the beans on the identity of the new vehicle, which will not be named Cobalt. We don't know if it will replace the Cobalt, either, but we do know that the direct injected, force-fed 1.4-liter four-pot could achieve a remarkable 40 mpg or more. The new engine isn't only efficient, but it's got plenty of pep, too. The turbocharged four-banger will produce between 120 and 140 ponies, and it'll likely have an attractive torque curve to boot. The as-of-yet unnamed vehicle will be built in GM's Lordstown plant, which currently produces the Pontiac G5 and Chevy Cobalt. The new Chevy may also necessitate an additional shift at Lordstown, which would be welcomed news to the UAW's rank and file. The mystery Chevrolet compact will be unveiled this fall, with a production date of early next year. We haven't heard much regarding an all-new Chevrolet compact, so if this vehicle arrives in addition to a new Cobalt, that will be very big news.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
why not the LS2LS7? 7:01PM (6/02/2008)
Sounds great. I think this would make sense in addition to a Cobalt, because there's a market for both.
Don't be surprised if this is a rework of a design previously used for the European or Chinese markets. Every company is scrambling to make new small cars fast and unfortunately that often means you can't start from scratch and be ready in time.
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Dave 9:33AM (6/03/2008)
It's about time they realized that they need to bring back small engines because not all people are in a big hurry to drag race.
It may be built here but is it going to be produced for American consumers? Autoblog has a tendency to bring us cars that will not be available in the U.S.
Kaptain75329 11:56AM (6/03/2008)
why not the LS2LS7? - pretty much with you on this one. A market exists for the Cobalt and something smaller with this type engine, but I for one would like to see the Cobalt get a makeover not too unlike that of the new Malibu. I'd say this new small car takes priority, but then Chevy needs to address that languishing Cobalt. The Mazda3 and Civic are class leaders in the segment, and the new Corolla isn't really a slouch either. GM has their work cut out for them here, and I hope they bring the same A-Game we've been seeing lately with the 'bu, the CTS, and the G8.
Dave - More than likely this new car would be built in the US for the US market. GM needs to offer a small car that gets something close to (really better than) 40mpg because that's where the market appears to be shifting long term and CAFE is forcing this type of product anyway. I haven't really seen Chevy getting too much into the globalism platform thing - at least not to the degree that we're seeing with Saturn and starting to see with Buick and Pontiac. Seems like GM's cooking a markedly different recipe for what's coming down the pike for Chevy, but the USA will still benefit from global design all the same. I'm curious to see what this new car is going to be, but frankly I'm not into the economy bare bones market. I'm more interested in GM getting serious about competing with premium compacts like the Mazda3. The Cobalt seems like it would not be a bad start, and Pontiac could use a sporty version too.
Time will tell - the automotive business has gotten very interesting over the last couple of years.
Jimbo 7:06PM (6/02/2008)
I'm betting it'll be the Volt. A small, turbo'd engine would be perfect to keep that battery charged.
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HotRodzNKustoms 8:16PM (6/02/2008)
I don't think (keyword think I'm not an engineer) that you need even that large of a motor to recharge the Volt's batteries.
paul34 11:05PM (6/02/2008)
Wouldn't a small motor with the max torque available relative to its size make the most sense to turn a generator, though? Something that fits the description of a diesel pretty well.
But then again, gasoline motors are getting better and better, so who knows.
TFinn 2:26AM (6/03/2008)
It will not be the Volt...the Volt is already confirmed to be produced at the Hamtramck, MI assembly plant that currently produces the Lucurne/DTS.
zamafir 7:06PM (6/02/2008)
Great idea, if vw won't give us the 1.4 TSI due to the weak dollar (170hp, 40mpg in the golf), at least chevy will take up the charge!
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Chris 7:11PM (6/02/2008)
As a longtime owner and fan of Honda products, it's been GM who has impressed me the most in the last couple years and made me most interested in their products. The drastic improvement has been amazing.
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Jim 6:54AM (6/03/2008)
I feel the same way. If you do some technology search for GM, you'll be amazed at all the new technologies they are working on. It's too bad not many people like you and I are aware of this.
Bob-omb 9:30PM (6/02/2008)
As a new Honda owner and a lifetime GM owner, well.....that's a little premature. Hyundai is still the one that surprises me the most.
Kaptain75329 12:21PM (6/03/2008)
Jim - we must be among the those paying attention. (Albeit I didn't know Pontiac killed the Torrent until it was pointed out to me in another thread, but I digress. :-P) I'd been following GM more closely than other OEMs ever since I found out that Saturn was essentially going to become the American Opel some 3 years ago, but the rumblings and rumors of a Pontiac Grand Prix replacement being an imported Holden Commodore really got my attention.. I've been hooked on GM's turn-around story ever since. Seeing the G8 come to fruition so expertly executed was inspiring, and it felt good to know that Saturn's revamp wasn't a fluke in the mean time.
Been a Mazda fan for a long time - still am, but I'm hoping GM can give a real compelling reason to switch. The Mazda3 and Mazda6 are pretty much works of art in my estimation, and I'm not just talking about aesthetics. The G8 has that kind of cred with me, practically a given after I had the opportunity to drive one. Absolutely thrilling.
Now if GM can do something like a Mini G8 to compete with the Mazda3 -- or even the 6 -- then I'll be all over it. As it is now, I'm giving the G8 very serious consideration for my next car, and I'm even willing to compromise and accept the costs in size and fuel requirements. That's a testament to how much GM's changed my mind. I'd rather not have to - a smaller, RWD G6 with a Turbo/DI V6 would be a just as much of a hit. I know GM has plans for such a G6 on the drawing board, but unfortunately, if that happens, it won't be any time before 2012 due to the latest UAW contract. At this point, it's looking like the 2nd Gen 3 or the G8. Who would have thought GM would be so appealing?
sdiori 7:12PM (6/02/2008)
Ths sounds like either a replacement or redesigned Aveo. This is a great move for GM. If only the General (and the rest of the Big 2.5, for that matter) could rid itself of the parasite that is the UAW, and be on an even playing field with the likes of Honda and Toyota who don't suffer from these sorts of labor disputes, GM would be in remarkable shape. This new focus on quality product is impressive, despite what your personal tastes may be. I'm a devout Honda guy, but I like what GM is doing.
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geo.stewart 7:30PM (6/02/2008)
if only this was the Chevy Beat come to life as the Aveo replacement. with 120 hp and 40mpg, people would be beating the doors down
rem83 7:40PM (6/02/2008)
GM is also crippled by their dealer network. If they really want to be able to compete with the likes of Honda, they need to get rid of the scum crying for them to badge engineer every model they make.
Michael Violette 10:24PM (6/02/2008)
I see one of the Triplets from the NYC auto show coming into the light. It would be the best time for it to show up. Sales for subs are sky rocketing, and GM would be stupid not to.
Dave 9:36AM (6/03/2008)
I may very well be the Aveo. I have already seen the 2009 Aveo 5 that is coming out in August and its the same car except for the front and rear styling appearance wise, and it will have the sedans interior.
Will 7:16PM (6/02/2008)
Now that's more like it.
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Cire 7:20PM (6/02/2008)
This news is very interesting indeed. I can't wait to see the results of this development.
Now, if GM could only be as aggressive with products for some of their other divisions...
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TriShield 7:22PM (6/02/2008)
Zzzzzz.
Let me know when they make a dramatic-looking, truly groundbreaking compact car out of the Kappa chassis.
That's what the company really needs to make an impact. This news just reeks of GM freaking out and coming up with a bandaid that sounds good in the press.
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