The advanced chassis systems for Cobalt and Pursuit are tuned to deliver ride and handling characteristics to fit the diverse requirements of a broad customer base, Parks said, and the electric power steering is tuned to match the performance levels of the various tire and suspension packages.
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| With the Cobalt, GM believes they've engineered a small car with a truly premium feel. (Photo: General Motors) |
The compacts feature a strut-type front suspension, semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension, and front and rear stabilizer bars for more exact body roll control.
Depending upon the model, Cobalt and Pursuit get a variety of brake systems, starting with vented disc brakes with single-piston calipers up front and composite drum brakes at the back, and moving on to a four-channel anti-lock drum and disc system and then four-wheel anti-lock discs.
There will also be an enhanced electronic traction control system.
Queen said there will be three race-inspired Ecotec inline-fours for Cobalt and Pursuit -- the familiar 2.2-liter, a new 2.4-liter, and a supercharged 2.0-liter version.
Queen would only offer estimates of the performance levels of the normally-aspirated engines and no details at all for the supercharged version.
The base engine will deliver an estimated 140 hp at 5600 rpm and 150 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm, which is pretty good for a car this small.