There was a brief period where 200 horsepower was enough to put a factory tuned compact into the 'rocket' class. Thankfully, those days are gone- and more and more vehicles are nudging towards the 300 horsepower mark in the same sort of price range.
Initially available with a supercharged ecotec engine, the Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged delivered just over 200 horsepower to the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.
This model has gone the way of the Dodo, but a new Cobalt SS Turbo will take its place. Powered by a two-liter, 260 horsepower four cylinder engine that's direct injected, the mill boasts 260 lb.-ft of torque available from just 2000 revs.
The sharp increase in power will catapult the new go-fast compact into a totally different performance arena. Power is sent up front yet again by a five-speed manual, and the package rides a lowered suspension with larger wheels.
It's not a hand-grenade tossed into the arena like the 285 horsepower Caliber SRT4- but Cobalt SS Turbo will more than hold its own against the likes of the Mini Cooper S, Volkswagen GTI, Honda Civic Si and MAZDASPEED3.
Pricing starts under $25,000.
photo:General Motors
Initially available with a supercharged ecotec engine, the Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged delivered just over 200 horsepower to the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.
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This model has gone the way of the Dodo, but a new Cobalt SS Turbo will take its place. Powered by a two-liter, 260 horsepower four cylinder engine that's direct injected, the mill boasts 260 lb.-ft of torque available from just 2000 revs.
The sharp increase in power will catapult the new go-fast compact into a totally different performance arena. Power is sent up front yet again by a five-speed manual, and the package rides a lowered suspension with larger wheels.
It's not a hand-grenade tossed into the arena like the 285 horsepower Caliber SRT4- but Cobalt SS Turbo will more than hold its own against the likes of the Mini Cooper S, Volkswagen GTI, Honda Civic Si and MAZDASPEED3.
Pricing starts under $25,000.
photo:General Motors
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