In the wake of the General Motors’ performance division, Chevrolet, pulling the plug on the beloved Camaro, the brand lacked a reasonably-priced sports car – particularly one that would stand against the likes of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, the Toyota Celica GT-S, and the Acura RSX Type-S.
Since Chevy had dropped the Camaro, the only way gearheads could unlock lots of ponies was with the Corvette. But the V8 powered sportscar would cost $44,000 – nearly twice the cost of a Camaro Z28, which was priced at around $23,000 in 2002. Then, in 2005, Chevrolet introduced the Cobalt SS.
The vehicle came in 2-door coupe or four-door sedan body styles and used a range of four-cylinder engines, the most powerful of which was the 2.0-liter turbo engine. In a market filled with people in need of affordable sports cars, the Cobalt was like the missing piece of the puzzle.
We’ve put together all the reasons why we love the supercharged Chevy Cobalt, and why it’s a worthy addition to every gearhead’s collection.
Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged Exterior: Uncluttered And Expressive
With the Cobalt under its belt, Chevrolet aimed at providing customers with a well-equipped, reliable, and high-powered vehicle at fraction of the cost. Courtesy of the Delta architecture, the Cobalt’s exterior design took on a more conservative approach. In dimension, the Cobalt SS measures at 180.3 inches, though the Cobalt SS has a narrow build and weighs in at 2,911 pounds.
The Supercharged Cobalt SS Was Superior In Performance
While the base models packed a 2.2-liter Ecotec four-cylinder motor under the hood, Cobalt SS Supercharged models featured a more potent 2.0-liter supercharged Ecotec engine. This stronger engine generated 205 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 200 lb.-ft of torque at 4,400 RPM, as opposed to the 145 horsepower and 150 pound-feet in the base model.
With the supercharged powertrain, the Cobalt was a step ahead of the Pontiac G6, which packed a more gas-guzzling 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 5 ponies less. The SS model transfers power to the front wheels via a standard five-speed manual transmission. The most powerful turbocharged SS model did not appear on the scene until 2008, with about 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque on tap.
The Cobalt SS Supercharged's Sporty Appeal Ran Skin-Deep
Performance is where the Cobalt SS takes things to a whole new level. At the center of it all is the four-cylinder Ecotec powertrain, which is a modern and sophisticated engine that offers excellent power and smooth transmission. The Cobalt SS handles extremely well on the road, thanks to the engineers setting up the car very well in terms of balance with good weight distribution, well tuned suspension working with stiky tires.
The 5-speed gearbox provides smooth shifts and does a great job of transferring the right amount of power desired to get you to your destination. For better performance, the Cobalt SS features a standard set of unique features, such as larger brakes with high-performance linings, larger anti-roll bars, stiffer springs, and a quarter-inch-lower ride height.
Handling is good enough for a car of this class, with very gentle and decent cornering to drive around town. In addition to the wider power band, the SS offers a better steering feel and handling without a noticeable loss of ride comfort. For safety, the Cobalt SS packs antilock brakes and three-point seatbelts.
The Cobalt SS Supercharged can achieve a 60-mph sprint in just 5.9 seconds, nearly matching the Acura RSX Type-S, which clocks in at 0.3 seconds later.
Chevy Cobalt "Supercharged" SS Guarantees Cheap Thrills
During its production, the Cobalt SS Supercharged cost roughly $21,995 – a price that attracted horsepower junkies back to the Chevy brand after the Camaro withdrawal. These cars were readily available back in the day. Today though, close to two decades later, this Cobalt SS is a rare find, especially from the 2005 model year. Nowadays, a lot of models out there have become garage queens, and some folks who have them aren’t willing to let them go.
While not a common occurrence in the used car market, you may still spot one from time to time, but it will take a hard look. In that case, buyers should expect to pay about $11,479 for a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS in the used car market today, and up to $18,000 for the extremely preserved units of the supercharged specimens. That’s a price range that will surely put a smile on every gearhead’s face.
Sources: Chevrolet, Classic Marketplace