Chevrolet Cobalt

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File:Chevrolet Cobalt LT sedan.jpg

Chevrolet Cobalt LT sedan

The Chevrolet Cobalt is a compact car introduced by Chevrolet in 2004 for the 2005 model year. The Cobalt replaced both the Cavalier and the Prizm as Chevrolet's compact car. It is available as both a coupe and sedan and is based upon the GM Delta platform also shared with the Chevrolet HHR, Pontiac G5, Astra (Opel, Vauxhall, Holden, and Saturn marques), and the Opel Zafira (a seven seat MPV). Also available is a high performance, Super Sport variant. All Cobalts are currently manufactured at GM's Lordstown Assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio. The United States Environmental Protection Agency‎ classifies the Cobalt as a subcompact car. Starting in 2009, Chevrolet will launch the Cobalt's global successor, the Chevrolet Cruze (based on the new Delta II platform), in Europe, with launches in other markets (including the US) to proceed in 2010. The Cruze will be built in multiple locations around the world including Lordstown Assembly, where the Cruze will briefly be built alongside the Cobalt until the latter is completely phased out. "The Cruze will build on the already successful Chevrolet Cobalt, Cobalt XFE and Cobalt SS, all of which are nearly sold out in dealer showrooms," said GMNA vice president of Chevrolet Ed Peper. “Our dealers are asking for many more Cobalts than we can build." The Cobalt ended production in June 2010.

Specifications

The front suspension is independent with MacPherson struts, while a semi-independent torsion bar is used in the rear. The wheelbase is Template:Convert, longer than its competitors, and the width is Template:Convert. Weight is average in-class, at Template:Convert for the coupe and Template:Convert for the sedan. For 2009, the United States Environmental Protection Agency‎ fuel economy has increased to Template:Convert city/Template:Convert highway with automatic transmission, and Template:Convert city/Template:Convert highway with manual transmission. The engine output has increased to Template:Convert.

Year-to-year changes

• 2006: A non-supercharged Cobalt SS was added to the lineup. This car is equipped with a 2.4 L naturally-aspirated Ecotec inline-4. The LS became the base model while the LT was marketed as a mid-range package; the top level trim was now the LTZ. In addition, as with most other GM vehicles that year, GM's Mark of Excellence symbol was added to both front fenders near the doors.
• 2007: Both engines were retuned for more power while retaining the same fuel economy. The 2.2 L Ecotec is now rated at Template:Convert with the 2.4 L Ecotec rated at Template:Convert. Other changes include a new console, new steering wheel and new radio head unit that features an audio input jack. In addition, all models except the LS and LT1 now use a 5x110 wheel bolt pattern. The LS and LT1 retained the standard 4x100. In addition, the 2007 model year marked the introduction of a new 32-bit computer that replaced the 16-bit unit from 2006.

File:Whiteturbocobalt.png

Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbocharged coupe

• 2008: The 2.4 L naturally aspirated, high-output SS coupe and SS sedan were renamed to just "Sport Coupe" and "Sport Sedan" respectively. The new Cobalt SS features a Template:Convert turbocharged engine, replacing the Supercharged engine which was offered from 2005-2007. At mid-year, the fuel economy was increased to Template:Convert5.5-7.5 km/lite city, Template:Convert9–11 km/lite highway on the LS and 1LT, coupe and sedan models with manual transmission; now labeled with XFE badging (X-tra Fuel Economy). XM Radio, side-impact air bags for improved safety, and MP3 player are now standard instead of optional. StabiliTrak stability control system is introduced. Other changes include the adding and removal of several exterior and interior colors. The new SS (turbocharged) coupe launched near the end of May 2008, as it was a facelift from the 2005-2007 version.
• 2009: The 2.4 L naturally aspirated "Sport Coupe and "Sport Sedan" models have both been deleted, along with the 2.2 L L61 engine. Both are replaced by the 2.2 L LAP engine thus providing better fuel economy and more power, as well an SS sedan has been added to the lineup. Three exterior colors have been changed, and the neutral interior color deleted. Bluetooth capabilities have been added, as well as the option for a reconfigurable performance display. The RPD, only available on the SS coupe, can read out various engine output data and alter performance settings.

Safety

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) the Cobalt receives an overall top score of "Good" for front collisions. However, it receives a "Poor" overall score for side impacts without side curtain airbags, and an "Acceptable" overall score with side curtain airbags. In 2008 side curtain airbags became standard but the Cobalt's structure remains the same and consequently in structure/safety category of the IIHS's side impact test the Cobalt receives a "Marginal" score. Side airbags are limited to the curtain type, torso type side airbags are unavailable. According to the IIHS's injury measurements taken from the side impact test the driver's torso is given a "Marginal" score. 2010 NHTSA sedan crash test:

• Frontal Driver: Template:Rating
• Frontal Passenger: Template:Rating
• Side Driver: Template:Rating
• Side Rear Passenger: Template:Rating
• Rollover: Template:Rating

Before 2009 the Cobalt only offered stability control as an option on Sport models.

Recalls

In early 2007, 98,000 Cobalt coupes from the 2005-06 model years were recalled after it was discovered they did not meet federal safety requirements because of a lack of adequate padding in a specific area of the vehicle's trim. This resulted in an unacceptable vulnerability to head injuries, though GM claimed the vulnerability would only affect motorists not wearing a seat belt.
On March 2, 2010, GM announced a recall of 1.3 million compact cars in North America, including the Chevrolet Cobalt, because of power steering problems. GM plans on fixing older models before fixing current models, since the car is expected to be replaced by the Chevrolet Cruze later in 2010. The Pontiac G5 and its international variants were also affected, though GM had already ended production of the Pontiac brand by that point.

Engines

Years	Engine	Power	Torque
2005–2006	2.2 L Ecotec L61 I4	Template:Convert	Template:Auto ftlbf
2007–2008	2.2 L Ecotec L61 I4	Template:Convert	Template:Auto ftlbf
2009	2.2 L Ecotec LAP I4	Template:Convert	Template:Auto ftlbf
2006	2.4 L Ecotec LE5 I4	Template:Convert	Template:Auto ftlbf
2007–2008	2.4 L Ecotec LE5 I4	Template:Convert	Template:Auto ftlbf
2005–2007	2.0 L Ecotec LSJ S/C I4	Template:Convert	Template:Auto ftlbf
2008–2010	2.0 L Ecotec LNF Turbo I4	Template:Convert	Template:Auto ftlbf

Sales

Model Year	U.S. Sales
2004	4,959
2005	212,667
2006	211,450
2007	200,621
2008	188,045
2009	104,724

References

additional:

• 2011 Chevrolet Compact - Spied Vehicles - Motor Trend
• Officially Official: 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS Turbo with 260 HP bows at SEMA

External links

Template:Commons category

• Official American site
• Official Canadian site

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