Cobalt SS Supercharged Wins Time Attack on 'Street Tuner Challenge'

[Infiniti Z350]

BUTTONWILLOW, California - Timing is everything, and the timing of the new Cobalt SS Supercharged's introduction couldn't be better. As Chevy's new sport compact performance car debuts in dealer showrooms, it already has a record-setting pedigree. Driver John Heinricy piloted a race-prepared Cobalt SS Supercharged on a challenging road course at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park, besting both the legendary Nissan Skline and the new Volkswagen Jetta by more than seven seconds. The Cobalt SS, which is based on Chevy's new factory-built front-wheel-drive Super Sport, posted a time of 1:58 around Buttonwillow's #13 track configuration, which was fast enough to eclipse the marks set by the All-Wheel-Drive, twin-turbo Skyline (2:05) and the nitrous-charged Jetta (2:07).

"It was an absolute blast to run the Cobalt SS flat-out on the Buttonwillow track," said Heinricy, current SCCA driving champion and GM Performance Division's Director of High Performance Vehicle Operations. "GM Performance Division and the Powell Motorsports crew gave me a perfectly prepared car, and the Ecotec engine ran flawlessly."

A television crew from Speed Channel's Street Tuner Challenge was on hand to direct the day's competition at the track. The Street Tuner Challenge chose three vehicle makes representing North America (Chevrolet Cobalt SS), Europe (Volkswagen Jetta) and Asia (Nissan Skyline) and followed each team throughout a 13 week build competition. The Cobalt build team was comprised of engineers and designers from the GM Performance Division and Powell Motorsports, while the Nissan Skyline was built by XS Engineering and the Jetta was assembled by Autobahn Designs. The final time attack race served as the build completion and the culmination of Speed Channel's taping. For program times, please check Speed Channel's web site at http://www.speedtv.com.

The production Cobalt SS Supercharged has strong performance credentials in factory trim. Powered by a supercharged and intercooled 205-horsepower, 2.0-liter Ecotec DOHC four-cylinder engine and equipped with a tenacious suspension developed on Germany's famed Nurburgring race track, the production Cobalt SS Supercharged will bring more heat to the already red-hot sport compact segment.

More: http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayS...=2&docid=19244

[Infiniti Z350]

This says quite a lot for the Cobalt's performance potential.

[GM_Fanatic]

dang frickn straight!!!! American made car with an American team with AMERICAN engineers!!!! oh where art ricershaftbig3???

[kenman923]

How come they don't have an SS Supercharged in a sedan?

[TaHoE]

How come they don't have an SS Supercharged in a sedan?

I guess they don't want to make a performance sedan for the same reason they don't make a ZO6 Convertible....boddy stiffnes.

[gmfan3]

good question, where is ricershaftbig3?
I saw that show last night....was funny to see a factory skyline and the modified one both break down. It was also funny to see the modified Jetta w/ flames coming out of the rear after burning up the NOS. No probs with either Cobalt. They tested all cars on the dyno and the production Cobalt was something like 212HP. The moded Cobalt had 230+HP which beat an 800+HP Skyline! funny

[kool_zx3]

Nice, but was there a race prepped focus

Cheap no focus, afraid of the superior car

[gmfan3]

nope...sorry, show premise...1 US, 1 rice, 1 euro.
maybe the focus could be on another show.
have it go whoop a stinkin' civic!

[kool_zx3]

nope...maybe the focus could be on another show.
sorry, show premise...1 US, 1 rice, 1 euro
have it go whoop a stinkin' civic!

The cobalt and a race prepped focus would make them both look stoopid We all know what a focus can do on a race track.

[gmfan3]

The cobalt and a race prepped focus would make them both look stoopid We all know what a focus can do on a race track.

GO USA!!!

[Darc Requiem]

Wow I'm stunned. I figured the Cobalt would stump the Jetta, but the not the Skyline. Go GM. They need to advertise this, use it to their advantage. Eventhough Cobalt production is at capacity, up it some more by publicizing this. With the SRT-4 gone the Cobalt SS is the unquestionably the best option in its price range.

[kool_zx3]

Wow I'm stunned. I figured the Cobalt would stump the Jetta, but the not the Skyline. Go GM. They need to advertise this, use it to their advantage. Eventhough Cobalt production is at capacity, up it some more by publicizing this. With the SRT-4 gone the Cobalt SS is the unquestionably the best option in its price range.

I think the skyline driver can't drive

[darndot]

Yeah. Go BIG Bad Bowtie. The GM Performance Division is a cool bunch of guys. The can put magic in about anything they do. Yeah Team.

[paul3230]

I think the skyline driver can't drive

I think GM just did a hell of job to beat the skyline

[Swahili]

That's awesome news. However, did the Cobalt SS win because the Skyline broke down or was it a legitimate win on the track? If it's a legitimate win, I want to send this article to all my ricer friends. The number of times I see them type "duh-mestic" or "dumb-mestic", this is a chance for justice to be served. Sport compact world, watch out, Cobalt SS S/C is coming for you next!