I haven't enjoyed driving a front-wheel-drive car this much in ages. A single pop! from the exhaust is the sound of a quick shift. The ingenious anti-lag can be maintained for roughly 0.2 second. The system will selectively cut spark and phase the variable camshafts, thereby holding boost pressure and rpm. Near the 6300-rpm limiter, simply shift without lifting off the throttle. The car also allows a no-lift shift - in all gears, any time the car is at full throttle. The clutch is still driver-controlled, but a nice quick smooth release will produce about 3 ft. Launch control will hold engine rpm at 5100 when the throttle is floored at a standstill. In comp mode, the limits of the yaw control are higher and launch control is enabled. The stability system features four modes: on, traction off, competition mode and fully off. Even with the extremely sporty steering ratio of 14.8:1, there are only mild tugs when pulling out of corners under power.Īlthough the stability control simulates a limited-slip differential through front brake control, the extra performance of the optional $450 torque-sensing unit is well worth the cost (it's on our test car). On the street or track, the electric power steering assist is spot-on. I tested it for more than 30 laps around Buttonwillow Raceway and can verify that it provides the driver a grin that will last for days. Toss the Cobalt SS into a corner and one immediately appreciates the finely tuned details of linear brakes, quick steering, superb ride damping and the car's composure. An A-pillar boost gauge is a nice touch, as is the 3-spoke steering wheel lifted from a Corvette. A newly designed and heavily bolstered driver's seat clearly means business. Under the hood is a transversely mounted version of that powerplant from the Pontiac Solstice GXP and the Chevy HHR SS - a superb little turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with direct injection whose 260 bhp is a 55-bhp increase over the past supercharged version. rear rotors are vented for heat dissipation. ![]() Up front, 4-piston fixed calipers wrap around 12.4-in. Closer examination reveals a mild body kit, 18 x 7½ forged wheels shod with 225/40ZR-18 Continental ContiSportContact 2 tires and Brembo brakes. On first inspection, the 2008 Cobalt SS appears unchanged from its predecessor.
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