Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe

For 2008 onward, General Motors replaced its Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged with a turbocharged model. The company unveiled the production model at the SEMA show in Las Vegas in 2007.

For 2008, General Motors has equipped the Cobalt SS with the same 260 horsepower 2.0-litr turbocharged and intercooled Ecotec four-cylinder engine found in the Saturn Sky Red Line, Pontiac Solstice GXP and HHR SS.

The new Cobalt SS features a five-speed manual transmission, FE5 Sport suspension -- capable of achieving 0.9 g on the skip pad -- and Brembo brakes. Sticky 225/40-18 Continental summer-only tires also help achieve this figure.

The Nürburgring-tuned model costs $22,995 including a $660 destination charge. The turbo SS comes only with a five-speed manual transmission that incorporates a no-lift shift feature. This means the majority of drivers will need to re-program their brains to keep their right foot planted to the floorboard while their left foot operates the clutch and right hands rows the stick shift through the gears. GM assures its engineers and test drivers performed about 600 consecutive sprints using this method, without any ill effects.

Other standard features include A/C, premium sound system with XM radio, remote entry, electronic stability control, and OnStar. Options are kept to a minimum, with a $295 sound system upgrade, big rear spoiler seen in the photos for $195 and a limited-slip differential for $495. The big ticket option is the $750 sunroof.

Highway fuel economy is 30 mpg (or top in its class) GM claims.

The price undercuts the admittedly more powerful Dodge Caliber SRT-4, which carries an MSRP of $23,015 including a $580 destination fee.