No More Chevrolet Cobalt SS for 2008 (Non-Supercharged Models Continue as 'Sport')

[YSSMAN]

This really sucks big time, particularly for those of us who were counting on the Cobalt to continue to be a class-leader for the high-performance small-car market.

Annoucement as seen on GMI

The basic details:

Deletions

(21U) Laser Blue Metallic exterior color
(56U) Sunburst Orange Metallic exterior color
LTZ Sedan model
SS Supercharged Coupe model

New Features

(37U) Imperial Blue Metallic exterior color
(39U) Blue Flash Metallic exterior color
(87U) Slate Metallic exterior color
(JL4) StabiliTrak stability control system
(NW9) Traction control
(ASD) Head-curtain side-impact air bag delete for Fleet and Government order types
(UE0) OnStar delete for Fleet and Government order types

Changes

1AM37 is now called Sport Coupe and the equipment group code is now 1SP
1AM69 is now called Sport Sedan and the equipment group code is now 1SP
(TV5) Sport Package is now called Performance Appearance Package and is an available option on 2LT Coupe and 2LT Sedan. The 3LT Coupe and 3LT Sedan equipment groups are deleted.
(ASF) Head-curtain side-impact air bags are now standard on all models
(US8) AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback is now standard on all models
(U2K) XM Satellite Radio is now standard on all models
Instrument panel uppers are now Ebony on all models
LT Sedan with neutral interior now has woodgrain trim

Well, good improvements for standard models aside, this sucks...

...Good news is that the 2.0L Turbo will probably be dumped into the next Cobalt SS for late 2008 or early 2009, and that too should be a class-leader in terms of value and performance. All good things must come with a bit of bad, and although it really does suck, there is good stuff down the road...

So long friend... So long...

 

[JCE]

WTF? Why kill the best thing about the Cobalt? Has GM lost its mind? Here's a switch, Ford saying they will do something cool with the Fiesta and GM doing something stupid with the Cobalt.

GM get your head out of the sand for F's sake.

 

[skip0110]

This is how GM always does it--and I have no problem with that.

By ensuring a limited run of almost every performance vehicle they make, they ensure that in the future, pristine models will hold their value.

Yes, I realize now it is hard to imagine a Cobalt SS as a future collectible, but who would have thought in 1988 that a Fiero GT with T-tops would ever be in demand?

 

[JCE]

I'd kill for an '88 Fiero GT T-Tops black on black. I'd stuff the 3800 Series-II Supercharged V6 from the GTP Grand Prix. That would be sexy.

 

[Philly]

I know that I have always thought the Cobalt SS was a cool looking car, and had speed to match. I have always thought it would be a cool car to have and was a great entry-level sports car. Will I miss it? Probably not. True, it was the best part of the Cobalt line, but I don't think it made enough of an impact to be anything to cry about.

 

[TopHat]

Oooh! Know why they're getting rid of it..... The 260 hp Turbo I4 is bieng dropped in to the HHR and the Cobalt...... Thats gonna be awesome. But why are they getting rid of the LTZ? Thats a cool ass Cobalt.


EDIT: Standard XM on all models? Shouldn't they worry about standard ABS first? 💡

 

[ND4SPD]

Wait, does this mean that we'll still keep the SS non sueprcharged models of the sedan and coupé?

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, the good news is that the 260 BHP Turbo motor will probably come back in SS form, but I guess I can't be too upset.

...Personally, I always thought the 'regular' SS made the most sense to me, but that being said, I would have loved to have had one of the supercharged models. I can't remember all the folks who have them here on GTP, but I'm sure they'll be a bit upset over the news...

One more thing: I wonder what will happen to the LSJ. Its still a pretty popular engine, and with Ariel using them, I'm uncertain of what they would do if GM was to completely cancel the program...

Hmmm. They're up to something in Detroit...

EDIT:

Wait, does this mean that we'll still keep the SS non sueprcharged models of the sedan and coupé?

Yes, the non-supercharged models will now be called the "Cobalt Sport." So, yes, you can still move about with your 174 BHP models, sans the SS moniker.

...Heres to hoping that GM throws the SS/SC suspension underneath the "Sport" models...

 

[skip0110]

I'd kill for an '88 Fiero GT T-Tops black on black. I'd stuff the 3800 Series-II Supercharged V6 from the GTP Grand Prix. That would be sexy.

👍

EDIT: Standard XM on all models? Shouldn't they worry about standard ABS first? 💡

XM is probably paying GM to do that...they have a lousy business model and a service no one wants.

One more thing: I wonder what will happen to the LSJ. Its still a pretty popular engine, and with Ariel using them, I'm uncertain of what they would do if GM was to completely cancel the program...

I'm sure it will live on as a crate engine...

 

[Wolfe]

Standard XM on all models? Shouldn't they worry about standard ABS first? 💡

I'd rather have satellite radio than computer-controlled brakes. But maybe I'm weird.

 

[a6m5]

I'd rather have satellite radio than computer-controlled brakes. But maybe I'm weird.

If it was a crappy ABS, I'd rather have neither.

I believe the XM is being bought out by Sirius. If that doesn't happen, XM might go belly up. Also, GM do own part of XM.

 

[Tornado]

I can see this happening, and it is mostly because of VAG essentially dumping the GTi in America for about the same price; in addition to reasons skip mentioned.

 

[YSSMAN]

I was reading somewhere the other day that GM is getting ready to debut the Delta II chassis (I think it was on GMI), and it may be one of the reasons why we're seeing the performance model shrink. Certainly it would make a bit of sense, but when they are at the same time working on getting the 2.0 DI in the "HHR SS" (I hope they call it the SS Wagen, just to piss VW off...), you have to assume that the SS badge will return on the Cobalt with the 260 BHP engine...

 

[eg6_dude]

I can honestly say that, even thought the cobalt SS was a decent car and leaps better then any Cavalier, I am not sad to see it go at all. The reason being that there are so many cars in the same price range that I think IMO are better. Sorry Guys.

(Mazdaspeed3, Subaru Impreza WRX, Honda Civic SI, Minicooper S)

 

[harrytuttle]

I think GM is re-evaluating what "SS" should stand for. Since so many cars are returning to rear-wheel-drive (and old names are returning), having an SS badge on everything from shopping trolleys to pseudo-SUVs kind of demeans and dilutes the original mystique of the SS logo. I'm all for a performance Cobalt (and a turbo probably suits it better), but I never thought it deserved the SS badge. Nor does the front-drive Impala, Monte Carlo, or any TrailBlazer.

But a Camaro SS...now you're talking my language.

 

[YSSMAN]

(Mazdaspeed3, Subaru Impreza WRX, Honda Civic SI, Minicooper S)

Umm, I think the Mazdaspeed3 and Cooper S are both a bit out of the range of the Cobalt SS on price alone, and furthermore the Cobalt SS didn't have a problem out-gunning the WRX and Si around the track. So, care to enlighten us all as to how it was worse than the competition?

...Either way, Chevrolet said last year that they were 'sorry' about the misuse of the SS moniker, but the big problem was is that they didn't want to create a whole new badge for their performance models when they already had an easily accessible one with plenty of recognition.

That being said, some of the SS models worked well, and others did not. Quite frankly, strapping the SS badge on the Malibu was a bad idea, and the standard non-supercharged Cobalt was a bad idea as well... But, I'd say that the SS badge fit just fine on the Supercharged SS, as well as the Impala SS, and even the Trailblazer SS, as they all matched the needs and represented the SS badge well: Increased performance through more power and a better tuned suspension at an affordable price.

Not everything has to be a big RWD coupe or sedan to meet the SS standards. Certainly it helps, but there isn't any reason why FWD and AWD models can't be included in that as well...

 

[eg6_dude]

Umm, I think the Mazdaspeed3 and Cooper S are both a bit out of the range of the Cobalt SS on price alone, and furthermore the Cobalt SS didn't have a problem out-gunning the WRX and Si around the track. So, care to enlighten us all as to how it was worse than the competition?

Hey now, don't take anything too personally! I wasn't trying to offend anybody. It was just my opinion! Also, the Mazdaspeed3 and Cooper S are close enough for me to consider them in the same price range. Also I would love to see some proof of the Cobalt SS outgunning a SI and a WRX around a track. Not just a Car and Driver comparison test either, because mag reviews are useless in the real world. I am a regular at the Autocross track and track days, and besides GMs personal Cobalt time attack car, have never seen anything about a Cobalt SS that I have found amazing. Not even Cobalt SS on the street drag racing people have impressed me. I agree that they are good cars, but they just don't demand my respect.

peace,
eg6_dude

 

[S31Ender]

actually......to whomever asked who thought the fiero would be a popular catch..................


I did. While I hate the car myself, I understand why others like it.
Low slung, rear wheel drive, t-tops.........................and you ask why it is popular?