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Photos: 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

With a turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder engine and nondescript looks, the Cobalt SS will surprise with its speed and handling. An iPod connector and Pioneer audio system add to the entertainment.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
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1 of 15 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

The Chevy Cobalt can be had in LS, LT, and SS trims. This one is the SS, featuring significant performance enhancements.
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2 of 15 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Intake

The Cobalt SS features an air intake in its front air dam, to help feed the turbocharger.
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3 of 15 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Unnaturally aspirated

Unlike its model mates, which use a 2.2-liter engine, the SS gets a 2-liter turbocharged direct-injection four cylinder, putting out 260 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.
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4 of 15 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Sheep's clothing

The Cobalt SS looks like a boring economy sedan, although the small rear spoiler hints at its performance characteristics.
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Brembos

Brembo brake calipers sit at the front wheels.
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Handling

Chevy tuned the springs and dampers, and added stabilizer bars, helping the Cobalt SS achieve impressive handling in the turns.
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7 of 15 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Sport seats

The interior doesn't deviate much from the car's less expensive model mates, although the SS has sport seats.
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Steering wheel

The leather-wrapped steering wheel has buttons for the audio system and cruise control, plus a button to change the trip computer display.
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9 of 15 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Gauges

Red rings in the gauges confuse as to where redline is on the tachometer.
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10 of 15 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Boost gauge

The SS also gets a gauge showing the amount of turbo boost, something you won't be looking at when its needle is really moving.
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11 of 15 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Adequate gearbox

The five speed manual is decent, but not as good as some manual gearboxes we've used. Honda, in particular, makes a nice one.
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12 of 15 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

XM satellite radio

XM radio is included, with an interface that makes it easy to choose channel categories.
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iPod adapter

We didn't expect to see a USB port on a car from GM. This new addition to GM electronics works as an iPod adapter and USB drive port.
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14 of 15 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Audio settings

The stereo includes preset equalizer levels, but we generally preferred customizing them with the bass, mid, and treble settings.
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15 of 15 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Pioneer audio

The standard Pioneer audio system sounded very good, helped along by this big subwoofer in the trunk.

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