http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f70/gm-dominates-lightning-lap-2008-a-69577/

Every year Car And Driver magazine pulls together some of the hottest, best-performing cars at the time and pits them against each other; dividing the cars into specific classes based on retail price. This, of course, being their annual "Lightning Lap" feature article. For 2008 "Lightning Lap" brings three General Motors vehicles to the track. Those three: Chevrolet Cobalt SS (Turbocharged), Chevrolet Corvette Z51, and the all-new Cadillac CTS-V. GM is always represented in the "Lightning Lap" feature, but this year is particularly interesting as all three GM products did extremely well in their respective classes. Actually; the only two Chevrolet cars in the group took the number one spots in their respective classes. Cobalt SS took the top spot in the "LL1" class; beating out the Dodge Caliber SRT-4 and Volvo C30 T5 Version 2.0. On top of that, the Cobalt SS was just shy of beating an overall "LL1" record set by the Nissan 350Z back in 2006. GM's perennial performance king managed to solidly keep it's gold in the "Lightning Lap" of 2008. The Z51-spec Corvette beat out a slew of cars within the "LL2" class; not that any of that is a surprise. As for the new kid, CTS-V, well...let's just say the General should be honored that this year's "Lightning Lap" made it clear that performance is still a staple at GM.

No G8?

Are cobalt SS's coming turbo-charged from the factory now? Had been supercharged... Very hard to get a good launch, 1st gear is very short.

Yes the new Cobalt SS's are turbo.

GM also said it plans to double the production of four-cylinder engines--those with capacity of 1 liter to 1.4 liters--by 2011. "One-third of GM's North American engine volume will be four-cylinders by 2011, and 21% of the four-cylinder volume will be turbocharged--a seven-fold increase over today's volume of turbo engines," said GM

Yeah, I still wouldn't buy a cobalt

Me neither.

why not? I like Cobalt's, and with some mods they will blow your GP out of the water. Not to mention you can get them with a manual. I would trade my GTP for a nice Cobalt anyday.

They are very nice, I think I would like the turbo model better, easier to launch (though shifting will still be tricky). Only thing I don't like is the HUGE rear spoiler.

Very cool that GM is boosting its production of FI.

Having driven a G5 (Pontiac's Cobalt) I wouldn't want it either. It would be a fun car to own to goof around in but I wouldn't want to live with it. It is a cheap disposable car after all.

x2

Well what's stopping you? GM's Employee discount has it listed at under 21K for an SS.

21k is stopping me. and that fact that my motor is sitting outside of my car

Modded vs stock isn't a fair comparison.

I wasn't necessarily comparing a modded Cobalt to your stock GTP.

Stock for Stock, a Cobalt and GTP are about even.

Mod for Mod, the Cobalt will be faster and more fun.

Exactly why I wouldn't buy one. They are cheap as hell! My ex g/f had one and the interior fell apart within the first year, her transmission failed, electrical problems, it was a mess! I told her before she bought it not to get it, but she didn't listen to me.

If you want to deal with headaches like that go right ahead.

Yes, warranty covered all that but would you like to take a trip to the dealership every week. Plus, worry what will happen when your warranty is up!

POS!!!!!

It was my understanding that GM retired the supercharged 4 that formerly powered the Cobalt and adapted the turbo 4 used in the Solstice/Sky RedLine for FWD...and since that engine was making 260hp in those models that should turn the Cobalt into a fairly stout performer.

I like the looks and style of the G5 over the Cobalt but a 260hp turbo 4 would move the G6 fairly well I think.
I prefer the G6 over the G5 especially in GXP trim.