2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

A new 2.4-liter version, standard in "new-for-'06" SS coupe and sedan models, adds variable valve timing (VVT) and boosts output to 171 horses and 163 lb.-ft. of torque. Then there's the muscular 2.0-liter, supercharged (not turbocharged like most competitors), intercooled Ecotec standard in our SS Supercharged test car, which pumps out 205 snorty horses and 200 lb.-ft. of tire-spinning torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard; an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic is optional in all but the manual-only SS Supercharged. Enhanced traction control, standard on automatic Cobalts with ABS, improves low-traction performance by detecting wheel slip and adjusting engine torque to reduce or eliminate it.


Cobalt is offered in two body styles with two very different characters: conservative sedan and expressive coupe with Corvette-like quad round taillamps. The broad model range begins with the base LS coupe and sedan, extends to the better-equipped LT coupe and sedan, the premium LTZ sedan and the delightfully quick and agile SS Supercharged coupe.

Interior

Standard Cobalt equipment includes air conditioning, AM/FM/CD audio, 60/40 split rear seats with a pass-through to the 13.6-cu-ft trunk, height-adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel, four console cupholders (two front, two rear) and a driver information center that provides fuel economy, range, oil life and other useful information including engine coolant temperature—a good thing considering there's no temperature gauge in the cluster. The LT, LTZ and SS models add 4-wheel-disc brakes with 4-channel ABS and (with automatic transmission) "enhanced" electronic traction control. Available options include heated leather seats, power sunroof, OnStar, XM Satellite Radio and a 7-speaker Pioneer Premium audio system with MP3 playability.


Seat support, suspension tuning and wheel/tire size logically increase with performance capability. SS models get FE3 suspension with 22-in. front and rear stabilizer bars for firmer ride and handling on 17-inch wheels and performance tires. The hot SS Supercharged coupe flaunts 18-in. forged aluminum wheels and racetrack-developed FE5 suspension, a 24-in. front stabilizer bar, special front and rear fascias and interior appointments, an A-pillar-mounted boost gauge and a wild (and rear-vision-impairing) rear wing.


Cobalt offers a comprehensive package of safety and security features, including front and rear energy management crumple zones, impact protection in the pillars and roof, dual-stage airbags designed to help protect occupants in 30-degree angled frontal impacts, front belt pretensioners, locking open front headrests, an engine immobilizing PASSlock III theft deterrent system, anti-lockout protection (with power locks) and battery rundown protection. The roof can take a crushing force 1.5 times the weight of the car, and the rear structure is designed to absorb a 50-mph impact to help protect the fuel tank. Side impact roof rail airbags and GM's OnStar security and communications system are optional.