2005 Chevrolet Cobalt

All-new compact car in sedan and coupe body styles

Vehicle Highlights:

* All-new compact car in sedan and coupe body styles
* Rigid body structure provides exceptional handling and interior quietness
* Clean, contemporary design inside and out
* Powerful, fuel efficient, smooth powertrain choices
* Standard features on Base model include: air conditioning, electric rear window defroster, AM/FM/CD audio system, tilt steering column, split-bench rear seat with pass-through to trunk area
* Standard features on LS, LT, SS Supercharged models include: anti-lock braking system, keyless entry system, cruise control, power windows, power exterior mirrors

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS promo

Cobalt SS Supercharged: All-new premium compact car

The 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt is a significant part of Chevy’s strategy to become a major player in the compact car segment. It debuted in December 2003 at the Los Angeles Auto Show as an all-new 2005 model, and targets the premium small car buyer.

The ChevyCobalt is intended to deliver a driving experience not expected in the compact car segment, along with a higher level of refinement, quality and performance. It’s meant to be all that, and fun to drive, as well.

LT Sedan
Models

The Cobalt family includes multiple coupe and sedan models, giving small car buyers great variety. The sedan model features Base, LS and LT trims, while coupe models are available in Base, LS, and SS Supercharged trims. Each includes a specific interior, exterior appearance and wheels, as well as a long list of standard and available features. The Cobalt SS, with a 2.4L engine, will debut in mid-2005 as 2006 model.

Pricing will be announced in late summer 2004.

LS Coupe -- Expressive Chevrolet design

"Our design approach on the Cobalt was to keep the exterior sheet metal clean and uncluttered, with a tailored, refined execution, giving the vehicle a premium exterior feel and appearance," said Phil Zak, Cobalt lead designer.

The Cobalt family continues Chevrolet’s refined, expressive design character. The sedan offers a stylish look coupled with a higher seating position for a more commanding view of the road. The coupe mimics the sedan from the A-pillar forward, but finishes from the A-pillar rearward with a tapered reverse C-pillar that leads to Chevrolet’s signature four round taillamps.

Several wheel options also are offered, including standard 15-inch wheels and available 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch wheels, all with unique designs.

The interior reflects the same attention to detail. The high level of refinement is apparent in the quality of materials, appointments and styling cues used throughout the cabin. Comfort is emphasized, with seats designed to reflect the various performance levels.

Standard features

Cobalt offers a long list of standard features including air conditioning, electric rear defogger, CD player and driver information center. Available features include heated leather seats, power sunroof, XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only), MP3 playback and OnStar. In addition, Cobalt features plenty of interior flexibility, including easy access to the rear seat, 60/40 folding rear seats, interior access to the trunk area, as well as ample, versatile storage.

Dynamic driving experience

With a strong structural foundation based on General Motors global Delta architecture, Cobalt delivers a dynamic driving experience with an array of engines, transmissions and suspensions (see chart below).

Cobalt features a strut-type front suspension, semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension, and front and rear stabilizer bars for more exact body roll control. Speed sensitive electric power steering is tuned to match the performance levels of the various tire and suspension packages. The tight turning radius is 34.8 feet (10.6 meters) curb-to-curb.

"The Delta architecture provides a solid foundation for a great compact car," said Doug Parks, Cobalt chief engineer. "With Cobalt, we focused on every detail. By selecting the right components and aggressively working on excellent ride and handling characteristics and noise reduction, we've engineered a small car with a truly premium feel." The underbody uses high-strength steel as welded members in strategic locations for maximum strength, structural integrity, mass optimization and crashworthiness. The underbody boasts a rigid bending frequency of nearly 27 Hz.

Performance enhancements

Vented front disc brakes with single-piston calipers and composite rear drum brakes are standard on the base models. Four channel anti-lock brakes (ABS) are standard on LS, and LT. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard on SS Supercharged models. Cobalt also offers an enhanced electronic traction control system on all models equipped with an automatic transmission and ABS.

Noise reduction

Cobalt's rigid cockpit structure helps provide a quiet ride as well as load-carrying capability for crash protection. Engine and decklid covers were extensively engineered to reduce noise, and the overall careful engineering of the entire vehicle help give the doors, trunk and hood a solid closing sound.

Safety

The rigid body structure that lays the foundation of Chevy Cobalt’s dynamic driving experience also reinforces its safety. In addition to the solid unibody structure, dual-stage air bags are standard and side head curtain air bags are available. Front seat-belt pre-tensioners, rear center shoulder belts and the LATCH child seat retention system are also standard equipment.

Powertrain specifics

Chevrolet Cobalt offers buyers a variety of powertrain and suspension combinations that deliver three distinct levels ranging from maximized economy to race-inspired performance.

Although each Ecotec engine has distinct hardware differences and performance characteristics, all share the Ecotec family’s solid basic architecture and all-aluminum construction with:

* Dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder
* Twin counter-rotating balance shafts
* Low-friction, roller-finger follower valvetrain with hydraulic lash adjusters
* Zero-maintenance chain camshaft drive
* Extremely compact dimensions and low mass
* Direct mounting of all accessories to the engine structure to eliminate common sources of noise, vibration and harshness
* Full circle transmission attachment is more rigid than most 4-cylinder powertrains for reduced noise and vibration
* GM Oil Life System for optimum oil change frequency
* No routine maintenance apart from oil/oil filter changes
* Catalyst located close to the exhaust manifold to speed catalyst “light-off” and reduce hydrocarbon emissions
* Innovative cast-in oil filter housing eliminates crawling under the car to perform oil changes. The design also eliminates throwaway oil-filter “cans” that retain used oil that typically ends up in landfills

The Ecotec 2.0L SC in the Cobalt SS Supercharged coupe delivers 205 horsepower (152 kw). Development of this highest-performance Ecotec variant included GM Racing, GM High Performance Vehicle Operations (HPVO) and Saab.

To attain durability targets, the Ecotec 2.0L SC received upgraded components in critical stress areas. Experience in the National Hot Rod Association’s Championship Drag Racing series told engineers where the Ecotec would most benefit from heavy-duty components. Modified Ecotec engines routinely produce over 1,000 horsepower in drag racing trim.

At the heart of the Ecotec 2.0L SC is an Eaton M62 helical roots-type supercharger. Engineers selected the Eaton unit because of its optimum response characteristics and ease of “packaging” with the Ecotec architecture. Maximum supercharger boost pressure is 12 pounds per square inch (psi), and the system includes an air-to-water intercooler that cools the incoming air charge to increase intake-charge density, which in turn enhances power and reduces the engine’s propensity to “knock” at high boost levels.

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