![]() You can deal with them specifically, which makes the job much easier, and get to a higher level of performance.” The stiff structure (28 Hz average bending and torsional stiffness) also enables precise exterior tolerances, while a one-piece body side stamping reduces assembly line variation. “Because the car can sustain itself on the lower part of its structure, you don’t need hydraulic motor mounts or absorbers compensating for body inputs that are amplifying road inputs. By developing that lower structure to handle all the load inputs, we’re able to increase stiffness in both torsion and bending so we don’t depend on the upper structure as much as in the past." From the front bumper and tie bar, each rail transitions into two separate rails through the underbody, then comes back together into a single rail going out the rear of the car. “It’s a global architecture designed for global requirements using a lower dominant structure concept. “The Delta architecture represents a culmination of people we brought together from GM Europe, Latin America and our Asia- Pacific region,” he explains. “It allowed us to work with other components independently to optimize ride and handling and NVH,” Altman says. Its stiff structure allowed engineers to tune the MacPherson-strut front and twist-beam rear suspension with long wheel travel and directacting components without having to compromise for chassis flex. GM’s robust Delta architecture (updated and improved over the original Saturn Ion’s) is the foundation for Cobalt’s surprisingly solid feel. The concept is that fewer pieces are better.” The interior and the way it’s put together are significantly different, with European accent and Chevy brand character. The EPS (electronic power steering) is vastly improved over the Saturn’s, yet retains the fuel economy benefit. The rear axle is designed, mounted and controlled completely differently, similar to that on GM’s European Opels, with special bushings and the attitude of its trailing arms enabling precise tuning of its handling response. The lower control arms have additional ride bushings of an elastomeric that can dampen itself yet be soft. The suspension geometry is all different,” GM Small Car Program Engineering Manager Gary Altman asserts. “What has Cobalt in common with Cavalier? Other than its Ecotec engine, transmission and basic suspension layout - essentially nothing. There truly were no compromises to the list.” And with such strong results, there was no going back. The 150-point list was a sort of Holy Grail on which the engineers focused their attention. On our very first evaluation drive of prototypes, the Cobalt exceeded all the targets when judged against the list of competitive vehicles’ strengths and market advantages. “We had to lead in NVH and achieve best-inclass body gaps. “We benchmarked all our competitors,” she relates. Taking that order seriously, they drew up a wish-list of 150 components, systems and attributes required to achieve that … and were thrilled and surprised to see those wishes granted. Really! “We wanted to bring a credible small car back to Chevy in a really big way,” Queen says. The engineering team’s orders from GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz and small car Vehicle Line Executive Lori Queen was to design and develop the best car in class. The Cobalt SS Supercharged also has aluminum lower control arms, larger brakes (11.6 inch discs up front with 10.6 inch discs in the rear), more aggresive brake pads, Pirelli P Zero Rosso ties (215/45R-18), bigger front (24 mm) and rear (22 mm) anti-roll bars, sport-tuned front struts, sport springs that lower the car 10 mm, a larger radiator with larger cooling fans, revised power steering, a short-throw shifter (by 1 inch), a heavy-duty F35 five-speed manual transmission which includes two equal-length halfshafts with higher torque capacity, and some other stuff. Coil-on-plug ignition with 58X crankshaft position encoder 6.5-quart oiling system with crankshaft-driven pump Stainless steel intake valves with undercut stems Semi-permanent-mold cylinder head casting The new Cobalt SS Supercharged has a 2.0 liter supercharged Ecotec I-4 with 205 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. It will be available for the 2006 model year. It includes leather-appointed Recaro seats and a Quaife limited-slip differential. These Cobalt SSs were raced at Laguna Seca.Ī performance package is available for the Cobalt SS. The new Cobalt SS Supercharged is raced in Grand-Am Cup.
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