[Source: GM]

Expressive design

With a rakish yet refined silhouette and excellent attention to detail, Cobalt has a stylish design that reflects its sporty, fun-to-drive character.

Available in coupe and sedan body styles, Cobalt features smooth and sleek exteriors with fast rooflines. Cobalt is light in the air, too, with a coefficient of drag of just 0.324 for both body styles. A myriad of subtle details, such as aircraft-style doors that integrate the door frames into the exterior surface for a tighter, flush fit, contribute to Cobalt's overall feeling of strength and solidity. Jewel-like headlamps and taillamps exude a premium appearance. The coupe features additional upscale cues, such as Corvette-inspired taillamps.

A sporty look for all models is achieved with a low-slung body and a curvaceous roofline; particularly in the coupe, which has tapered, reverse C-pillars that lead to Chevy's signature four round taillamps. Cobalt's other carefully executed design details include: 

• Monochromatic details on all models, including door handles, bumpers, grille, B-pillars and roof molding for a more finished look
  

• Single-cavity headlamps with all forward lighting functions contained in the same unit (except foglamps)
  
• Available stanchion-mounted rear spoiler
  
• Available 18-inch high-polished wheels for SS Supercharged
  
• Body-color ground effects fascias and rocker moldings for SS Supercharged
  
• Front wheelhouse liners with molded-in mud/stone guards for LS and LT models
  
• Nine available exterior colors
  
• Dynamic driving experience and safety
  

The Cobalt rides on a MacPherson strut front suspension and a semi-independent, torsion beam rear suspension. Front and rear stabilizer bars – uncommon features for compact cars in Cobalt's price range – are standard on all models. Suspension tuning for each model, including steering feel, spring rate and stabilizer bar diameter, is dialed in to provide distinct driving and handling characteristics. Three suspension settings are available:

FE5 suspension – standard on the SS Supercharged, it was developed on the racetrack to deliver sports car levels of handling and grip; 24-mm front stabilizer bar and 22-mm rear stabilizer bar, higher-rate springs and bushings, four-wheel disc brakes, monotube shocks and 18-inch forged aluminum wheels with complementing performance tires

The direct-acting front stabilizer bar connects to each strut for precise steering response and improved cornering agility with decreased body roll. All front suspension components are mounted to a new, rigid cradle assembly comprised of four large hydroformed steel tubes and two side members that are integrally welded to front and rear cross members. The cradle is mounted to the Cobalt's space frame at four widely spaced points.

Enhanced traction system (ETS) is integral with automatic-equipped Cobalts with ABS. ETS enhances traction by adjusting engine torque if wheel slip is detected.

Safety and security

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

Continuous safety is provided by OnStar. OnStar-equipped Cobalt models feature OnStar dual-mode (analog-digital) equipment. OnStar's digital equipment also includes enhanced hands-free voice recognition capabilities including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada . Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Hands-Free Calling that allow drivers to make and receive voice-activated phone calls using an externally mounted antenna for greater reception.

The OnStar service standard on the 2007 Cobalt includes the General Motors Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) system (excluding SS models), making crash data available to the participating 911 centers to help them dispatch the appropriate live-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster.

Plentiful powertrains

Cobalt offers buyers a variety of segment-leading powertrain combinations that deliver distinct levels ranging from maximized economy to race-inspired performance. Cobalt's GM-proven Ecotec 2.2L and 2.4L engines receive slight horsepower increases for 2007.

The 2.0L SC engine of the Cobalt SS Supercharged produces 205 horsepower (153 kW) and 5600 rpm and 200 lb.-ft. of torque (272 Nm) at 4400 rpm.

All Cobalt engines are from the technically sophisticated Ecotec family. Each has distinct performance and hardware differences, but all share a basic all-aluminum architecture and construction that includes:

• 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 and typically end up in landfills
  

The F35 five-speed manual transmission in the SS Supercharged has a higher torque capacity than the manual transmission found in other Cobalt models. A short-throw shifter and 4.05:1 axle ratio complement the performance-oriented transmission and performance characteristics of the engine, giving the Cobalt SS Supercharged exhilarating acceleration.

Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe

With impressive performance from its 205-horsepower (153 kW) 2.0L supercharged Ecotec engine, this compact powerhouse is at home on the racetrack as well as the street. The suspension was tuned at Germany 's Nurburgring racetrack.

At the heart of the Ecotec 2.0L SC is an Eaton M62 supercharger. 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.

Cobalt SS Supercharged achieves 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds, and the quarter-mile in 14.9 seconds, with a top speed of 143 mph.

It features distinctive exterior and interior elements that also make it stand out from the crowd, including a high-mount spoiler, lower rocker extensions and fascias with one-inch extensions; as well as titanium-face gauges, A-pillar-mounted boost gauge and leather- appointed seats with perforated color-keyed inserts.

Interior refinement and comfort

Separate trim levels for each Cobalt model provide distinction and a tailored appearance. In keeping with Cobalt's premium positioning, many features are standard, including air conditioning and electric rear defogger. New for 2007 is an AM/FM stereo radio and CD player with MP3 playback and auxiliary input jack; and driver information center.

Surprising amenities – such as an optional remote vehicle starter system new for 2007 (when an automatic transmission is ordered) – also lend an upscale feel to the Cobalt's interior, as many of the standard and available features aren't generally found within the vehicle's competitive set.

The available factory-installed remote vehicle starter system, which is new for 2007, is integrated with the remote keyless entry feature and allows the driver to get a head start on the car's interior heating and cooling from a range of up to 200 feet (61 m).

Additionally, Cobalt features plenty of interior comfort and flexibility, including easy access to the rear seat, 60/40 folding rear seats and interior access to the trunk area, as well as ample, versatile storage.

Available features include power sunroof, XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only), AM/FM stereo with six-disc in-dash CD player, MP3 playback and auxiliary input jack (new for 2007); seven-speaker Pioneer Premium Audio System and OnStar. Other interior highlights include:

• Four trim levels for three Cobalt models: LS, LTZ and SS, three trim levels for LT
  
• Height-adjustable three-spoke steering wheel (new for '07)
  
• Adjustable front head restraints
  
• Four cupholders in the center console; two for front-seat passengers, two for rear-seat passengers
  
• Pivoting center armrest has contoured top to facilitate easy, comfortable manual shifting; interior of console holds five CDs
  
• Numerous storage areas, including large, bin-like glove box
  
• Unique gauge cluster with A-pillar boost gauge on SS Supercharged
  
• Driver's foot rest
  
• Height-adjustable driver's seat
  
• Extensive applications of acoustic materials throughout
  

Cobalt interiors reflect a focus on ride comfort, with quality materials and stylish appointments throughout. The seats are designed to reflect the performance level of each model. Cloth bucket seats are standard on LS, while sport cloth seats with driver's lumbar adjuster are standard on LT and SS.

Leather-appointed heated seats with leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob are available on LT and SS, and standard on LTZ. Leather-appointed seats with color-keyed perforated inserts, recliners and driver's manual lumbar are standard on SS Supercharged. Racing-inspired, leather-accented Recaro bucket seats are available on the SS Supercharged when the Performance Package is ordered.

Get personal

Customers can add some extra juice to the already powerful Cobalt SS coupe with Stage One and Stage Two supercharger kits, introduced in 2005. The Stage One kit includes higher-flow fuel injectors and an ECU calibration to provide 31 extra horsepower (for a total of 236 hp and 205 lb.-ft. of torque). Add the Stage Two kit, with its smaller supercharger pulley and shorter drive belt, and the engine kicks out 241 horsepower (180 kW) and 218 lb.-ft. (301 Nm) of torque.