Autoblog

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We probably would have walked right past the new 2008 Cobalt SS Turbo had it not been painted in this blazing yellow mica paint. In all fairness, it's not as invisible as the previous generation Malibu (according to GM's new Malibu ads), but this new sport coupe from the Bowtie Boys was displayed outside the Wynn alongside the Corvette C6RS, '34 Chevy Coupe E85, and HHR Panel SS, so it was a bit less eye-catching as its brethren. Still it looks chunky and funky like it should and the bespoke SS touches add just a little bit extra tuner cachet to make it seem like it belonged on the Wynn grounds along with its hot rodding stablemates. This 260 HP / 260 lb-ft SS/TC picks up 55 HP on the previous supercharged version and adds a John Heinricy tuned FE5 sport suspension that saw development time at the Green Hell that is the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Follow the jump for the official GM press materials.

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After biting our tongues for the last few days while (accurate) speculation surrounding the successor to the Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged bounced around the web, we're finally able to come clean. This is the turbocharged 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS, and it's being introduced to the world at SEMA this week. Chevy went to great lengths to ensure that the SS badge means more than what it had become in recent years.

Coming in at 260 HP / 260 lb-ft, the SS/TC gains a full 55 horses over the now-defunct SS/SC. Power, of course, is sourced from the same 2.0L direct-injected, turbocharged, intercooled sledgehammer found under the bonnets of the Pontiac Solstice GXP, Saturn Sky Red Line, and forthcoming Chevy HHR SS. The GM Performance Division was tasked with making sure the improved Cobalt SS is well-sorted, and John Heinricy and company dialed in the FE5 sport suspension on the undulating twists and turns of the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The result, says GM, is a track-capable suspension that's still comfortable on the street, and which helps mitigate FWD performance foibles like torque steer.

Follow the jump for more, plus all the official GM press materials.

[Source: GM]