GM needs to push this car

[member12]

2.2L DOHC VVT ECOTEC

5-speed manual transmission 25/36
4-speed automatic transmission 22/31

2.4L High-Output DOHC ECOTEC

5-speed manual transmission 22/32
4-speed automatic transmission 22/31

GM needs to advertise the 2.2L cobalt with the manual transmission more on national commercials. I know there was talk about giving the car some kind of badge, but I think it needs to go farther. National commercials that trains Americans to associate the Cobalt with a fun to drive fuel efficient car with a manual transmission would be a positive thing.

Marketing dollars to dealerships to advertise the 36mpg 5 speed Chevrolet, and the dealerships will need to stock this car. Extra incentives should be given to the dealerships that move 36mpg Cobalts.

There should be a companywide push to move this particular setup. It's a huge selling point for a decent car that is getting long in the tooth.

[paul8488]

Wow, if these numbers are what we can see in the real world, the Cobalt just went from a car I'd consider to the car I'd buy. I really value fuel efficiency, and already liked the Cobalt... I'd take a 5-speed 'Balt no problem! No fancy options... as base as it comes.

[afireinside7710]

Originally Posted by member12

2.2L DOHC VVT ECOTEC

5-speed manual transmission 25/36
4-speed automatic transmission 22/31

2.4L High-Output DOHC ECOTEC

5-speed manual transmission 22/32
4-speed automatic transmission 22/31

GM needs to advertise the 2.2L cobalt with the manual transmission more on national commercials. I know there was talk about giving the car some kind of badge, but I think it needs to go farther. National commercials that trains Americans to associate the Cobalt with a fun to drive fuel efficient car with a manual transmission would be a positive thing.

Marketing dollars to dealerships to advertise the 36mpg 5 speed Chevrolet, and the dealerships will need to stock this car. Extra incentives should be given to the dealerships that move 36mpg Cobalts.

There should be a companywide push to move this particular setup. It's a huge selling point for a decent car that is getting long in the tooth.

thing is, i can easily get 38mpg on the highway (going 70) in my 07 5-speed LS. So i wonder if they just calibrated it differently or something....

[CadiEldo67]

I just seen the 2009 Corolla commercial that states the Corolla gets 35 mpgs on the highway, GM has Toyota beat?

2009 Toyota Corolla Specs:
Base MSRP: $15,250
Standard Engine: 1.8L 132 hp I4
Standard Transmission: 5-Speed Manual Overdrive
Fuel Economy 27 / 35

2008 Chevy Cobalt Specs:
Base MSRP:$13,925
Standard Engine: 2.2L 148 hp I4
Standard Transmission: 5-Speed Manual Overdrive
Fuel Economy:24 / 33
*This is the 2008 model listed on www.autos.msn.com
Effective March 17th, Cobalts paired with the 5 speed manual now get a 36 mpg on the highway, besting Toyota's efforts.

[Platt_Mallar]

That's fantastic news! GM definately needs to tout the fact that they get better gas mileage -and- has more HP in the Cobalt than the Corolla. The only downer is that the Corolla still gets better city mileage.

[E. Haskell]

36 is like 40mpg under the old rating system!

[FenwickHockey65]

Agreed. The 36 MPG Cobalt could very well save GM from the public perception that it only makes gas guzzlers.

[member12]

Originally Posted by E. Haskell

36 is like 40mpg under the old rating system!

Which means that it could be done with a light foot.

It's too bad the Cobalt sedan looks like it does. The last generation Cavalier has more exciting lines...

[BigAls87Z28]

They so need to make the Cobalt better looking...
Chevy needs to not only tell them about the Cobalt doing better then Toyota, BUT IT MAKES MORE POWER!!
More power...more economy...what more could you ask for? Chevy.

[Minnesota Nice]

Those city mileage numbers are pretty sad. 24 vs 27 (Corolla)? I mean, the few extra highway MPG are nice, but for those of us who drive city mileage a lot...

Sadly, I know GM won't even advertise this hard.

[prowlerjc]

They need to make the HO 2.4 optional on all Cobalts. The Sport is the only one that gets it right now.

[USA1Fan]

Originally Posted by member12

Which means that it could be done with a light foot.

It's too bad the Cobalt sedan looks like it does. The last generation Cavalier has more exciting lines...

Actually, with just following the speed limit, anticipating slowdowns to minimize stops and starts, etc., I was beating the old EPA highway numbers for all my vehicles by around 5 - 10%. So over 40 is achievable..

And I like the Cobalt sedan's styling, inside and out. Bit softer materials could help though.

[emh]

Originally Posted by CadiEldo67

I just seen the 2009 Corolla commercial that states the Corolla gets 35 mpgs on the highway, GM has Toyota beat?

According to toyota.com, the Corolla is rated 27/35 with the 4sp auto (interestingly, the manual is marginally worse at 26/35). Considering the vast majority of buyers go for automatics, it's hard to claim "GM has Toyota beat" in this case.

[CobaltSScrazy]

Originally Posted by prowlerjc

They need to make the HO 2.4 optional on all Cobalts. The Sport is the only one that gets it right now.

No more sport anymore, only the Sport appearance 2LT if I remember correctly. Sport name was dropped (GM ran out of badges from their stock made)

CobaltSS

[CadiEldo67]

Originally Posted by emh

According to toyota.com, the Corolla is rated 27/35 with the 4sp auto (interestingly, the manual is marginally worse at 26/35). Considering the vast majority of buyers go for automatics, it's hard to claim "GM has Toyota beat" in this case.

I'm referring to a manual transmission Corolla and Cobalt. Which according to www.autos.msn.com, the 2009 Corolla is rated for 35 mpg on the highway, while the 2008 Cobalt (XFE) receives 36 mpg on the highway. Therefore in that aspect, GM has Toyota beat, and the worst part is, the Toyota is new for this year, the Cobalt has 1-2 years left...