Spy Shots: Next-gen Chevy Cobalt!
by John Neff on Jun 10th 2008 at 4:36PM 
click above for high-res gallery of next-gen Chevy Cobalt spy shots
We've seen a few spy pics of the next-gen Chevy Cobalt that's due in showrooms around 2010, but none so revealing as these. KGP Photographers caught the car wearing only some light camo paint to obscure its new lines, which it doesn't do very well as the Cobalt's chunky proportions are there for all to see. Up front we find a new interpretation of Chevy's split grille that looks great on the smaller Cobalt flanked by sharp headlights that appear to crawl up the front fenders a bit. Meanwhile, the front bumper is occupied by three traditional air intakes and a pair of fog lamps. Notice the character line that runs the length of the vehicle right above the door handles where the sheetmetal begins to cut dramatically up towards the greenhouse in a concave shape. The same effect has been used by Volvo in the past to give its passenger vehicles the broad shoulder look. The profile shot reveals a short rear decklid and a coupe-like roofline that may compromise rear seat headroom a touch but looks smooth from end to end. The rear end is also marked by a pair of oddly shaped taillamps that extend from the license plate holder out around the corners of the vehicle. Considering how far sales of trucks and SUVs have fallen in the past two months, the next-gen Cobalt could be the most important new car for Chevy and General Motors itself besides the Volt, which just so happens to share the same global platform with the next Cobalt.
Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cobalt - spy shots
[Source: KGP Photography]
KGP Photography:
We just snapped the latest, and best shots yet of the car that looks to be the next Chevy Cobalt. A similar prototype has been shot in various guises, but never from all pertinent angles while uncovered--in full Chevrolet trim. The new Cobalt will utilize GM's new global compact vehicle architecture, and will be shared globally--reportedly being sold abroad in similar form as the Chevrolet Nubira and and the Daewoo Lancetti abroad. The platform is also pegged to underpin the next-generation Saturn Astra and even the Chevy Volt.
These latest shots give us a great taste of the further evolution of Chevrolet's two-tiered grille treatment, and the new Cobalt's chunky profile. The first-ever look at the Cobalt's largely undisguised tail treatment also reminds us of the recently revealed Opel Insignia, with its BMW-inspired raised trunk line and side sculpting. This new Cobalt is expected to appear in U.S. showrooms in 2010.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Brad2CV 4:39PM (6/10/2008)
I'm sure GM will find many ways to screw it up, but much improved on the current car.
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Mehul 4:49PM (6/10/2008)
They already found one way: The little plastic Sebring-like extention on the C pillar.
Other than that, it looks good.
Aprime 5:56PM (6/10/2008)
They'd be accused of copying Mazda if they didn't have it.
Which is unfortunate.
Benfolio 6:38PM (6/10/2008)
Like a fat chick wearing a black bra under a white shirt, I hope they don't go into production showing off that front bumper absorber.
Xcountryflyer 7:55PM (6/10/2008)
The new Mazda6 has that unfortunate fake plastic piece behind the side rear window too. Wish they had just put a small window there. It is certainly an improvement over the pleasant but bland version now. The biggest improvement needs to be inside to get something that is not so pedestrian compared to the compact leaders.
Dave 8:32AM (6/11/2008)
I like it especially if it is an off-shoot of the Saturn Astra. Chevy has been looking real good the last 10-years and I think i'd better start saving my money for 2010.
Tommy 4:40PM (6/10/2008)
I definately like the lines; looks too much like a saturn though
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geo.stewart 5:07PM (6/10/2008)
and that's bad?
hey, where are the photoshop boys to clean this up and give us a real vision of the car? this camo paint cant be that hard to manipulate into a color
cameron42985 6:00PM (6/10/2008)
To suggest that any Saturn is distinguishable from the rest of GMs product line is insane.
But then it really does look more like an Ion. This is a good looking compact, I must say.
Frank 9:36PM (6/10/2008)
i really like it, i think it looks sharp. its infinitely better than the ugly current generation.
Frank 9:36PM (6/10/2008)
i really like it, i think it looks sharp. its infinitely better than the ugly current generation.
iCameiSawiConquered 4:40PM (6/10/2008)
Looks like a cute car. Reminds me of the Volvo S40 in shape...
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Kowell 4:42PM (6/10/2008)
The car looks taller then the current version, getting a rounder overall look, more like the mazda3 sedan and the hyundai elantra.
Not too sure about the tail lights though....
Still.... so far so good. Lets wait until we see the interior.
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Blake Luttrell 5:45PM (6/10/2008)
My thoughts exactly. Those taillights look very very Korean.
MikeofLA 5:54PM (6/10/2008)
Mazda 3 for sure. If they can match the 3's interior quality and fun to drive status, they'll have a winner.
psarhjinian 10:55PM (6/10/2008)
This car will probably track the Corolla, not the 3. GM wants--needs--mass-market sales, and emulating Mazda is not the way to get them.
phez 4:43PM (6/10/2008)
I was just about to scream Opel, then words such as 'chevy', 'chevrolet', and 'US' came outta nowhere and smacked me silly.
GM finally getting an attractive compact for something other than Pontiac? Color me impressed.
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Torrent 5:53PM (6/10/2008)
Exactly! I saw the pictures in the Gallery and said, "*sigh* another opel- probably an Astra sedan or something"
Then I saw Cobalt and became very interested. The really only attractive compacts in the GM line is the Astra and the Vibe (maybe a (little) cobalt here and there). But this new cobalt indeed looks like what Chevy needs for their compact segment. It'll definitely mend the hurting eyes of the people that fell victim to the '09 Aveo5.
Jason 4:43PM (6/10/2008)
So far the outside design looks far better than the current one...
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Kevin W. 4:45PM (6/10/2008)
This is the Chevy Nubira mule thats been around for about 6 months.
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