Chevrolet Cobalt

Chevrolet Cobalt

Production	United States: 2004-2010 Brazil: 2011–present
Predecessor	Chevrolet Cavalier & Chevrolet Prism (North America) Chevrolet Astra (Brazil)
Successor	Chevrolet Cruze (North America)
Class	Compact (2004–2010) Subcompact (2011–present)

The Chevrolet Cobalt name has been used on two generations of front-wheel drive cars sold under the Chevrolet marque.

First Generation (2004-2010)

Chevrolet Cobalt

Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	2004–2010
Model years	2005–2010
Assembly	Lordstown, Ohio, United States
Predecessor	Chevrolet Cavalier Chevrolet Prizm
Successor	Chevrolet Cruze
Class	Compact
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	GM Delta platform
Engine	2.0 L Turbo LNF I4 2.0 L S/C LSJ I4 2.2 L L61 I4 2.4 L LE5 I4 2.2 L LAP I4
Transmission	5-speed F35 (MU3) manual 5-speed Getrag F23 manual 4-speed 4T45 automatic
Wheelbase	103.3 in (2,624 mm)
Length	180.5 in (4,585 mm) (coupe) 180.3 in (4,580 mm) (sedan)
Width	67.9 in (1,725 mm)
Height	57.1 in (1,450 mm) (sedan) 55.5 in (1,410 mm) (coupe)
Related	Chevrolet Cobalt SS Chevrolet HHR Saturn Ion Pontiac G5 Opel/Saturn Astra

Chevrolet Cobalt LT sedan

The Chevrolet Cobalt is a compact car introduced by Chevrolet in 2004 for the 2005 model year. The Cobalt replaced both the Cavalier and the Prizm as Chevrolet's compact car.

The Cobalt was available as both a coupe and sedan, and is based upon the GM Delta platform also shared with the Chevrolet HHR, Pontiac G5, Astra (Opel, Vauxhall, Holden, and Saturn marques), and the Opel Zafira (a seven seat MPV). Also available was a high performance, Super Sport variant. All Cobalts were manufactured at GM's Lordstown Assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio. The United States Environmental Protection Agency classifies the Cobalt as a subcompact car. Since its introduction in 2004, GM has sold 1,019,842 Cobalts through the 2010 model year.^{[citation needed]}

In 2009, Chevrolet launched the Cobalt's eventual successor, the Chevrolet Cruze (based on the new Delta II platform), in Europe, with launches in other markets (including the US) following in 2010. The Cobalt ended production on June 23, 2010.

Specifications

The front suspension is independent with MacPherson struts, while a semi-independent torsion bar is used in the rear. The wheelbase is 103.3 in (2,624 mm), longer than its competitors, and the width is 68.4 in (1,737 mm). Weight is average in-class, at 2,681 lb (1,216 kg) for the coupe and 2,747 lb (1,246 kg) for the sedan. For 2009, the United States Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy has increased to 24 mpg_-US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg_-imp) city/34 mpg_-US (6.9 L/100 km; 41 mpg_-imp) highway with automatic transmission, and 26 mpg_-US (9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpg_-imp) city/37 mpg_-US (6.4 L/100 km; 44 mpg_-imp) highway with manual transmission. The engine output has increased to 155 hp (116 kW).

Year-to-year changes

• 2006: A non-supercharged Cobalt SS was added to the lineup. This car is equipped with a 2.4 L naturally aspirated Ecotec inline-4. The LS became the base model while the LT was marketed as a mid-range package; the top level trim was now the LTZ. In addition, as with most other GM vehicles that year, GM's Mark of Excellence symbol was added to both front fenders near the doors.
• 2007: Both engines were retuned for more power while retaining the same fuel economy. The 2.2 L Ecotec is now rated at 148 hp (110 kW) with the 2.4 L Ecotec rated at 173 hp (129 kW). Other changes include a new console, new steering wheel and new radio head unit that features an audio input jack. In addition, all models except the LS and LT1 now use a 5x110 wheel bolt pattern. The LS and LT1 retained the standard 4x100. In addition, the 2007 model year marked the introduction of a new 32-bit computer that replaced the 16-bit unit from 2006.
• 2008: The 2.4 L naturally aspirated, high-output SS coupe and SS sedan were renamed to just "Sport Coupe" and "Sport Sedan" respectively. The new Cobalt SS features a 260 hp (194 kW) turbocharged engine, replacing the Supercharged engine which was offered from 2005–2007. At mid-year, the fuel economy was increased to 25 mpg_-US (9.4 L/100 km; 30 mpg_-imp)5.5–7.5 km/lite city, 36 mpg_-US (6.5 L/100 km; 43 mpg_-imp)9–11 km/lite highway on the LS and 1LT, coupe and sedan models with manual transmission; now labeled with XFE badging (X-tra Fuel Economy). XM Radio, side-impact air bags for improved safety, and MP3 player are now standard instead of optional. StabiliTrak stability control system is introduced. Other changes include the adding and removal of several exterior and interior colors. The new SS (turbocharged) coupe launched near the end of May 2008, as it was a facelift from the 2005–2007 version.
• 2009: The 2.4 L naturally aspirated "Sport Coupe and "Sport Sedan" models have both been deleted, along with the 2.2 L L61 engine. Both are replaced by the 2.2 L LAP engine thus providing better fuel economy and more power, as well an SS sedan has been added to the lineup. Three exterior colors have been changed, and the neutral interior color deleted. Bluetooth capabilities have been added, as well as the option for a reconfigurable performance display. The RPD, only available on the SS coupe, can read out various engine output data and alter performance settings.

Safety

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) the Cobalt receives an overall top score of "Good" for front collisions. However, it receives a "Poor" overall score for side impacts without side curtain airbags, and an "Acceptable" overall score with side curtain airbags. In 2008 side curtain airbags became standard but the Cobalt's structure remains the same and consequently in structure/safety category of the IIHS's side impact test the Cobalt receives a "Marginal" score. Side airbags are limited to the curtain type, torso type side airbags are unavailable. According to the IIHS's injury measurements taken from the side impact test the driver's torso is given a "Marginal" score.

2010 NHTSA sedan crash test:

• Frontal Driver:
• Frontal Passenger:
• Side Driver:
• Side Rear Passenger:
• Rollover:

Before 2009 the Cobalt only offered stability control as an option on Sport models.

Recalls

In early 2012 98,000 Cobalt coupes from the 2005–06 model years were recalled after it was discovered they did not meet federal safety requirements because of a lack of adequate padding in a specific area of the vehicle's trim. This resulted in an unacceptable vulnerability to head injuries, though GM claimed the vulnerability would only affect motorists not wearing a seat belt.
On March 2, 2010, GM announced a recall of 1.3 million compact cars in North America, including the Chevrolet Cobalt, because of power steering problems. GM plans on fixing older models before fixing current models, as the car was replaced by the Chevrolet Cruze in late 2010. The Pontiac G5 and its international variants were also affected, though GM had already ended production of the Pontiac brand by that point. The following recall is due to extreme heat causing damage to the plastic fuel pump lines. The recall is only for states in the southern part of the U.S.A. On September 28, 2012, GM announced a recall of 40,859 cars including the Chevrolet Cobalt from the 2007-09 model year because of a potential fuel leak.

Engines

Years	Engine	Power	Torque
2005–2006	2.2 L Ecotec L61 I4	145 hp (108 kW)	155 lb·ft (210 N·m)
2007–2008	2.2 L Ecotec L61 I4	148 hp (110 kW)	155 lb·ft (210 N·m)
2009–2010	2.2 L Ecotec LAP I4	155 hp (116 kW)	150 lb·ft (203 N·m)
2006	2.4 L Ecotec LE5 I4	171 hp (128 kW)	163 lb·ft (221 N·m)
2007–2008	2.4 L Ecotec LE5 I4	173 hp (129 kW)	163 lb·ft (221 N·m)
2005–2007	2.0 L Ecotec LSJ S/C I4	205 hp (153 kW)	200 lb·ft (271 N·m)
2008–2010	2.0 L Ecotec LNF Turbo I4	260 hp (194 kW)	260 lb·ft (353 N·m)

Sales

Model Year	U.S. Sales
2004	4,959
2005	212,667
2006	211,451
2007	200,621
2008	188,045
2009	104,724
2010	97,376
2011	127,472

Second Generation (2011–present)

Chevrolet Cobalt

Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	2011–present
Model years	2012–present
Assembly	São Caetano do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil (GM Brazil) Bogotá, Colombia (GM Columbia) Asaka, Uzbekistan (GM Uzbekistan)
Class	Subcompact
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Gamma II platform
Engine	1.4 L Flex 1.8 L Flex (2012)
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,620 mm (103 in)
Length	4,479 mm (176.3 in)
Width	1,735 mm (68.3 in)
Height	1,514 mm (59.6 in)
Related	Chevrolet Sonic Opel Corsa E

In 2011 General Motors Brazil announced a new model bearing this name in the Brazilian market. This Cobalt replaced the aging local Chevrolet Astra. The car is equipped with an 1.4 Econo.Flex engine. Although sporting a similar front end style, it is not directly related to the Chevrolet Agile, since it shares the overall underpinnings with the Chevrolet Sonic/Aveo 2011, while the Agile is derived from the considerably older Opel Corsa B, from 1993.

Chevrolet currently has no plans to bring the Cobalt to the North American market, which already has the Chevrolet Sonic and Chevrolet Spark as the subcompact cars in the country.

External links

• Cobalt at Chevrolet