2009 Chevy Cobalt Turbo SS

The first generation Cobalt SS sported a supercharged 205 hp four cylinder and became a car that has developed a decent enthusiast following. The car is a good all around performer, but still showed it's econo car roots. For 2009, Chevy has reworked the car, swapping a a turbo, upgrading the rest of the mechanicals, and testing and tuning the car on the famed Nürburgring in Germany.

The turbocharged, direct injected engine is the same 2.0l Ecotec in the first generation Cobalt SS that now produces 260hp and 260lbft of torque. Available since 2008 in the Cobalt SS Turbo and HHR SS, and also in the Pontiac Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Red Line, the turbo DI Ecotec does now what Ford promises its EcoBoost engines will do in a few years. That is, produce V6 power with four-cylinder fuel economy. Case in point, the Cobalt SS Turbo returns 30 mpg on the highway.

Peak torque arrives early at 2000 rpm. Turbo lag is scant, and power builds early and linear until the redline is reached at 6,250rpm. Chevy claims the SS runs to 60 in 5.7 seconds.

The turbo SS gets a much revised suspension that doesn't feel like one lifted from an economy car. Clutch feel is firm, and the five speed shifts with precision and authority.

The new SS Turbo also gets wider P225/40ZR18 tires mounted on a set of flattering 18-inch, Corvette-inspired wheels with five split-spokes and larger brakes wearing one of the biggest names in the business of battling inertia: Brembo. The front stoppers are 12.4 inches in diameter and clamped by four-piston calipers while the rears are 11.5-inches large and get single-piston pressure.

All of this adds up to quite a well performing machine. Car and Driver ran a massive performance car comparison test in a recent issue, with each car making laps around Virginia International Speedway. The list of cars that were slower than the SS is astounding:

Mitsubishi Lancer EVO MR
Lexus IS-F
Audi S5
Honda S2000 CR
Dodge Challenger SRT-8
Lotus Elise SC
Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Dodge Caliber SRT-4
Volkswagen R32
Honda Civic Mugen Si

The Cobalt SS Turbo is clearly outgunned in the engine department by a few of these vehicles, besting only the Civic Mugen Si, R32, S2000 CR and the Elise SC with its 260-hp engine. But c'mon, is the Cobalt SS Turbo really quicker than the legendary Lancer, the 416-hp IS-F, and the 425-hp Challenger SRT-8 around VIR's 4.2-mile track? Apparently so says C&D, who were just as stunned as were by the Chevy's particular brand of canned whoopass.

Of course, the best part of this performance in an unsuspecting package is price. The Cobalt SS starts at $22,775. Depending on options, the price can be jacked up a little bit. But we've seen several selling for less than $20,000 new, given the poor market conditions right now.

The Chevy Cruze will be rolling off assembly lines before long to take the place of the Cobalt, but at least the little econo car will go out with a bang.