New Life? Cobalt Gets Some MPG, MP3

[nsap]

New Life: Cobalt Gets Some MPG, MP3
www.gminsidenews.com
By: Nsap

By now it is obvious that General Motors is on a mission to revive its car lineup to a level that it has never been before. Hey, better late than never, right? The 2008 model-year brought one new shining star in the Chevrolet brand’s car lineup: the 2008 Malibu midsize sedan. It is only natural that GM bring out a top-notch ‘bu first, considering the midsize sedan market in this country is laced with the most fierce competition and rather large sales. Now that the Malibu is out and making a bigger splash in the market than a lot of us (me included) thought it would, that leaves the question…what about the Cobalt?

For anyone that frequents GMI, you likely already know that initially GM had a mid-cycle enhancement (MCE) scheduled for the Cobalt for the 2009 model-year. The MCE was to align the Cobalt design-wise with the new Chevrolet “global” design (see Malibu, Aveo) and feature-wise with the latest competition. Well, while that was a very welcomed plan here at GMI, it is now merely a pipe-dream for us to follow. GM ultimately cut the MCE out of the product plans. However it is not all bad.

Since the MCE was cut out of the product plan, that has pushed the new Cobalt up to 2010, the all-new Cobalt, based on the new Delta II architecture. There isn’t a whole lot known about the new car other than it will follow the design theme seen on the Malibu and will have a unique coupe trim level targeted at young buyers. Chevrolet would like to chase Scion tC buyers slightly better than they are now.

Aside from the all-new model that is coming, what is there good to say about the current Cobalt? Well, quite a bit, to my surprise. The 2009 model-year, while no quick zap in the product development microwave, is going to bring some nice, subtle chances to the Cobalt to give it some competitiveness.

Let me clarify completely that there are no design changes coming for 2009. Actually, there are no major changes whatsoever, but the changes made are nice additions and proof that the car is better than some give it credit for. Topping the list of 2009 Cobalt entrances is the well-publicized SS model. Tears were shed and feelings were hurt when word got out that there would not be an SS model Cobalt in the 2008 model year (so they thought anyway). After seeing the new SS model, does anyone really care about the old SS now? The new SS is packing 260 HP/260 lb.-ft. of torque through the excellent turbocharged, direct-injected ECOTEC 2.0L. Not to mention the car was tuned in Germany on the famed Nurburgring. There is a reason the car has a “GM Performance Division” badge under the hood.
New, ass-kicking SS model? Check. Fortunately power has never been a huge issue with the Cobalt though. One benefit to the GM ECOTEC four-cylinders is that they really never lack power, just refinement. 2009 is bringing the addition of a new variant of the 2.2L ECOTEC base engine. GM has added VVT to it and fine-tuned it for 2009. No official numbers have been released on the new engine, but GM claims it will carry a rating of 35 MPG highway. That essentially puts it in the upper end of it’s class in terms of fuel economy; bested only by the Toyota Corolla and tied with the Ford Focus. Considering the Cobalt out-powers both, I’d say those are fairly decent numbers.

Better fuel economy? Check. To come with that more efficient power is the addition of some new technology. As with nearly every GM vehicle for the 2009 model-year, the Cobalt will have Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port for your MP3 player. Neither option is widely available in the segment, so chalk one up for the Cobalt here.

Don’t be confused here; the Cobalt is far, far from perfect. The design has gotten very stale over the years and the interior is in need of some extensive updating. The addition of even more MPG’s and new transmission options are needed, but all of that will be fixed in 2010 with the new Cobalt.

I have never been a big Cobalt fan since its debut in 2004. However after four years on the market, is the Cobalt getting some new life? The addition of better fuel economy, more refined base engine, more technology, and that badass SS are certainly signs of improvement. I for one am going to be curious to see Cobalt reactions next year. They won’t be excellent like the new Malibu, but considering the car will be nearly five years old, I think the reactions will be surprising.

[drew630]

Originally Posted by nsap

Better fuel economy? Check. To come with that more efficient power is the addition of some new technology. As with nearly every GM vehicle for the 2009 model-year, the Cobalt will have Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port for your MP3 player. Neither option is widely available in the segment, so chalk one up for the Cobalt here.

So does that mean most GM vehicles are getting the USB port too? Will this allow you to control the MP3 player through the radio too?

[nsap]

Originally Posted by drew630

So does that mean most GM vehicles are getting the USB port too? Will this allow you to control the MP3 player through the radio too?

Yup. That's what we hear.

[camaro_freak]

are these upgrades going to keep the Cobalt competitive against the rest of the vehicles in this segment with out the MCE? I'm not in this market.

I know SCION is hot with the kiddies and I doubt a lack of a mild MCE is going to pull them over to the Chevy side any faster.

[MechEng]

Well I own a 07 Cobalt. And after hearing about the upgrades. And seeing the 09 Corolla. I think the Cobalt will still be very competitive. This will be a good stepping stone into 2010 for the new Cobalt.

[Koasterking]

Wait. Correct me if I'm wrong. The 2009 Cobalt turbo SS, 260 Hp, will get 35 mpg?

Corrected: misread that it's the 2.2 engine that'll get 35 mpgs.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by Koasterking

Wait. Correct me if I'm wrong. The 2009 Cobalt turbo SS, 260 Hp, will get 35 mpg?

Um, no. The 2009 2.2L will get 35 MPG.

[chevydlrmn]

I think these are great upgrades. I think that it should've been done for 2008 though, and revise the head/tail lamps and fascias, like they did with the 2003 Cavalier. It helped that old car a little and will help this one. Based on the VVT and more mpg's I know that will help influence more customers on my showfloor.

[Xenon]

No 2.4L Cobalt anymore?

[nsap]

Originally Posted by Xenon

No 2.4L Cobalt anymore?

As far as I know, the 2.4L Sport model is still going to be around.

[jbernie]

With the way things are right now the MPG boost is the best change they can make. It is always nice to do this or that, and we are all critics, but a lot of buyers will end up making a decision on that number combined with the purchase price.

[chevydlrmn]

It would be very wise both to enhance all engines with VVT, and many with DI if not all, and more AFM. We would see results with consumers and PR.

[NoNameDenton]

What would help is making the engines more refined, fuel efficient, getting more gears in the transmission, and a more Malibu like interior, maybe some sheetmetal changes and it will be perfect

[logansowner]

I think the only thing this will lack over the 09 Corola is keyless entry and start...usless, maybe, but cool to the <25 crowd...me included...that commercial made me consider one for about 7 seconds...

[87aero]

Originally Posted by Koasterking

Wait. Correct me if I'm wrong. The 2009 Cobalt turbo SS, 260 Hp, will get 35 mpg?

Corrected: misread that it's the 2.2 engine that'll get 35 mpgs.

Well I think this weeks earlier thread on the new SS turbo stated that the 2009 SS turbo was getting VVT and would also make 35mpg. Granted it's a much higher tech engine that comes at a premium price and runs on premium gas, but still 260hp/260ft-lbs and 35mpg is crazy.