A DREAM COME TRUE: The Supercharged Chevy Cobalt SS

[ProjectRS]

July 17, 2005
By: Denny Medeiros
cobaltss.net

With the aggressive styling, superb performance, and reasonable pricing, the Supercharged Cobalt SS is a dream come true for young tuners.

As a young seventeen year old, I was looking and dreaming of one day owning my first car. Not just a normal car though, but a fast and affordable one. A sharp looking, forced induction machine that would send me back in my seat with pure G force acceleration and a grin on my face. A car that would make my heart pump and adrenaline go through the roof. This dream car was none other then the brand new 1990 Eagle Talon TSI (Mitsubishi Eclipse) equipped with 16 inch rims, 205 HP / 200 pounds of torque, 2.0L DOHC engine turbocharged and intercooled compressing air at 12 PSI… I dreamed of it night and day.

At that time, my father was willing to co-sign a car for me, and I still remember the day I approached him with the brochure of the Hot Eagle which I held so proudly. I gained the courage to ask him to co-sign for the Talon and his reaction was painfully upsetting, as he said that I was out of my mind for even thinking about it. So I went back to my room, holding on to the only piece I thought I would ever own… the factory brochure!!

My father eventually co-signed for my first car… a Toyota Tercel with 82HP, automatic 3-speed with 13 inch wheels. It was a far cry from my dream, but I figured at least I had a car. I was wrong. Driving the Tercel was unbearable. Sure, it’s a great fuel efficient, reliable car, but when you’re born with oil and high octane gas in your veins, it slowly brings you to depression.

Year after year, the Eagle talon was redesigned with an engine that only got weaker and weaker, and increasingly unreliable. All the more reason why it was the 1990-1992 series that I would have loved to own brand new. In 2000 I decided to make my dream of owning a 1990 Eagle Talon TSI a reality. After looking high and low, I discovered that finding a Talon in reasonable condition would be almost impossible, as so many of these beautiful cars had suffered years of abuse from their owners. I eventually settled for one that needed some serious love, and love is what I gave her. Four years of labour and hard work, extensive learning, thousands of dollars, headaches, troubleshooting, and visits from the beloved tow truck. Five years later, it looks good and runs okay, but the old bones are still there and it will never be the car it once was.

At my last car show, the clutch exploded, and nothing could be done to save this car from its misery. As I left the show in a tow truck with everybody looking on, it seemed as though everything was happening in slow motion. That’s when my heart left my Eagle Talon for good. I accepted the fact that I will never own a car like that brand new…the dream was over.


First Glance

While surfing the internet, and looking (more like dreaming) at the brand new 2006 Eclipse, an annoying pop-up appeared in the middle of my screen. I was about to close it, but this car with what seemed like lights similar to the Corvette’s and a nice, sleek look caught my eye. A Chevy?!! But that can’t be. No offence to Chevrolet, but they aren’t really in the game to be producing compact, forced induction, pocket rockets. I had to literally rub my eyes when I first saw the article of the Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged. Oddly enough, the stats where just so familiar to me. 2.0L DOHC, 12 PSI of boost, 5-speed, 2 door coupe with big wheels, nice sleek body. I was thinking “this can’t be”. I started reading more and more reviews on the internet’s most popular car sites, and they were nothing short of spectacular.

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[jwrebholz]

It's impossible to get a ride in a Cobalt SS Supercharged out here--every dealership I've called has said all their SSes are long gone.

Too bad for me and all the rest who missed out. Great news for GM though.

[SSrevolution]

Funny I have not seen one actually driving on the road yet. Its nice that this car is catching on and its good that Chevy is expanding their territory. This car will develope one of those followings like the Civic has. One loyal group you know? Its too bad though I have to have my generation represented by fwd 4cyl cars.

[mbukukanyau]

Same here in So cal, I left my name with three dealerships to give me a call when ones on the lot.. non has called me for months.. They call about dsiscout for everyone, and I ask them where the SS is, none has any

[dindak]

2006 SS' have been arriving at dealers from what I have heard.

[mikest00]

As soon as they hit the ground they're gone. Our sister store got 6 in and they were all gone by the end of the day.

[chevynj]

My local dealer has 1! HE had a whole truckload of just SS as of a few weeks ago, he is down to just 1. I'm not looking for one though. Its here in northern NJ if anyone wants it.

[mjd1001]

I see a few on the road in Upstate NY (less in Florida where I spend half my time). I'm currently in NY and the Chevy dealers here each seem to have a few on their lots also.

Maybe they are selling a bit better up north....due to FWD and the harsh winters.

[ProjectRS]

We have them all over the place in NE Ohio. Tow of the dealers have a few 06's as well

[giagastormer]

I've seen dozens of 'em.

[Cortazzo]

I've seen a ton of cobalt coupes and sedans on the road, i don't think i've seen any SS's on the road. I would prefer a turbo instead of the supercharger, but it is still a really hot car.

[jwrebholz]

Oh, I see Cobalts everywhere now, they're sprouting like weeds. I have yet to actually SEE an SS though (except for one I saw at a car show last year before the Cobalt was officially launched...and that doesn't count) I know they're out there, it's just a matter of finding them.

[genjy]

I live in Los Angeles, and I really don't see that many Cobalts around. Whenever I do see a Cobalt, it's usually a low-end sedan with hubcaps. I don't know where all the coupes and SS get trucked to, probably not LA.

[vanshmack]

Ion Redlines are a dime a dozen on the Saturn lots of SoCal.

[asim]

Originally Posted by jwrebholz

It's impossible to get a ride in a Cobalt SS Supercharged out here--every dealership I've called has said all their SSes are long gone.

Too bad for me and all the rest who missed out. Great news for GM though.

I haven't seen one in Houston either.