GM FYI Blog

Phil Colley
GM Performance Division Communications

Since August 2005, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the finest performance engineers in the world at the GM Performance Division (GMPD). So, I write this with a hint of sadness because the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS media drive was officially my last hurrah with the group before changing assignments to Biofuels.

For those who don’t know, Performance Division is an engineering organization of auto enthusiasts within GM responsible for developing all Chevrolet SS models. They did such a great job sorting out the suspensions and integrating the added power into the previous generation Cobalt SS Supercharged and TrailBlazer SS, Chevy decided it was time for the group to help return the SS moniker to its lofty status…permanently.

Resident GMPD racing guru John Heinricy likes to say, “If you lift for a second, that’s where you’ll finish.” Well, based on media reviews so far, the new Cobalt SS isn’t finishing second to any competitor in the under $30k sport compact class. And with the ability to keep the pedal to the metal while shifting the 5-speed manual transmission, why would you lift?

Edmunds Inside Line calls the new Cobalt SS “the best front-drive car Chevrolet has ever built.” Motive Magazine says it’s “the best small car Chevrolet has ever built.” And Popular Mechanics touts it as “GM’s best sport compact ever.”

High praise from some notable media outlets for sure, but you may be wondering what will I experience being in the driver’s seat?

We gave you a taste of what the vehicle could do at the Nürburgring last October on YouTube, and now we have some more footage for you from our first media drive event in Bakersfield, Calif. last month.

Below is a video from John Heinricy’s personal video camera of him giving a couple hot laps at Buttonwillow Raceway to one of our media guests. Enjoy.