Performance Review: Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Turbo - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Cobalt Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Chevrolet Cobalt has a 1998cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Cobalt shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Cobalt's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1349 kgs (2974 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet Cobalt shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 260 bhp (193 kW) @ 5300 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 260 lb-ft (352.5 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Chevrolet Cobalt you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2011 Ginetta G40 R 2.0L (217.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Cobalt.

The Chevrolet Cobalt has a Power to weight ratio of 192.7 bhp per ton and 192.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 Cobalt competing with the 2011 Ginetta G40 R 2.0L (217.6 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GTS 4.7 V8 (217.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Chevrolet Cobalt generating around 192.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2002 BMW Alpina B10 V8S (217.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1968 Holden Monaro GTS 327 5.4 V8 (217.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.7 secs, this made the Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Turbo as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs). This Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cobalt and the 1990 Honda NSX 3.0 V6

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Cobalt on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.91 secs @ 98.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1990 Honda NSX 3.0 V6 (13.84 secs), the 2007 Bentley Brooklands 2d (13.85 secs), and the 1993 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon (13.86 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 160mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 Cobalt equals the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo PDK 982 (171 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Turbo then how about the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo PDK 982 (171 mph), the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo 982 (171 mph), or the 2013 Jaguar F Type S 3.0 V6 (171 mph).

Related Links:

2008 Cobalt Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison