CHEVROLET COBALT Moving up in price, pizazz

Cobalt will be marketed as a premium small car, not just basic transportation.
By DON SHILLING
VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR
Look for Chevrolet to sell its new Lordstown-built small car on performance, not price.
Chevy is boasting about a new engine and other performance features for the Cobalt, which is being introduced today at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.
David Cole, director of the Center for Automotive Research at Ann Arbor, Mich., said Chevrolet will continue to market the car's performance features as it comes to showrooms next fall as a 2005 model.
"It's not just basic transportation, but basic transportation with a little pizazz," he said.
Cole said Chevrolet needs to show that the car stands out in performance because the Cobalt is moving up in price from the Cavalier, though prices won't be announced until late summer of next year. Chevrolet is calling the Cobalt a premium small car.
General Motors Corp. is spending more than $550 million to upgrade its assembly and fabricating plants in Lordstown to prepare for the Cobalt and the Pontiac Pursuit, which will be sold only in Canada. The assembly plant now makes the Cavalier, which will be phased out next year.
Engine
In particular, Chevy is boasting about the Cobalt's Ecotec, four-cylinder engine. Chevy has noted in press materials that a version of this engine is used in GM Racing's Cavalier dragster.
Chevy is introducing a 2.4-liter Ecotec engine as an option on the Cobalt. This new version is more powerful than those used in Cavaliers.
Erich Merkle, auto analyst at IRN Inc. at Grand Rapids, Mich., said a key feature in the optional engine is variable valve timing, which includes electronic controls to increase performance and efficiency.
Lori Queen, GM vehicle line executive for small cars, said the result is simple.
"Cobalt is just plain fun to drive," she said.
Those desiring even more performance will be able to choose the SS Supercharged Cobalt. This model will feature a 2.0-liter supercharged engine and a manual transmission. Chevy said more performance details will be released later.
The 2.2-liter engine provides 140 horsepower, while the 2.4-liter version offers 170 horsepower. Chevrolet says the upgraded version provides one of the highest power outputs of any regular four-cylinder engine.
Transmission
In the base Cobalt, the engine will be coupled with a Getrag five-speed manual transmission, though an automatic transmission is available. Chevrolet says the Hydra-Matic 4T45-E four-speed automatic transmission is electronically controlled and engineered to provide quiet, transparent shifting.
Chevrolet says the car's rigid body structure and advanced chassis system also will provide good handling and crash protection. One-piece metal blanks are stamped to provide the inner and outer frame.
As for other safety features, front air bags are standard, and side air bags are optional.
Anti-lock brakes are standard on LS, LT and SS models, and Cobalt features an enhanced electronic traction control system.
Reducing noise
Chevrolet says steps have been taken to reduce the noise inside the Cobalt.
The stiff underbody will help provide a quiet ride, and a sound-deadening area has been created behind the instrument panel by placing a plastic layer between sheets of metal.
Other points where noise enters have been addressed with seals, carpeting or other sound-deadening materials. Engine and deck lid covers were engineered to reduce noise, Chevrolet said.
The sedan is designed to provide a higher seating position.
Standard features including air conditioning, electric rear defogger, CD player, 60/40 folding rear seats and interior access to the trunk. Optional features include heated leather seats, power sunroof, XM Satellite Radio, MP3 playback and OnStar.
Chevy says the quality of interior materials, styling cues and placement of knobs and gauges are designed to give the car an elegant feel.
"With Cobalt, we focused on every detail," said Doug Parks, Cobalt chief engineer. "By selecting the right components and aggressively working on excellent ride and handling characteristics and noise reduction, we've engineered a small car with a truly premium feel."
shilling@vindy.com