2007 Chevrolet Cobalt 4dr Sdn Auto (natl) Hatchback

It carries a namebadge with "SS" and "supercharger" designations, telltale signs this coupe may be compact in size but has enough muscle for spirited zero-to-60-m.p.h. sprints, just like the big boys., , Of course, with the price of a gallon of gas now topping the price of a pint of water, anyone spotted in a car carrying either badge risks the wrath of the self-anointed energy police, those keen on dictating what people drive., , Fear not, the supercharged Chevrolet Cobalt SS coupe also carries a window sticker giving it license to ply the streets alongside the battery-powered cars those in charge of political correctness deem worthy of flag-waving Americans., , That sticker reads 22 m.p.g. city/30 m.p.g. highway, so though the SS puts some zip into the daily routine, you don't have to hide your head because your car doesn't have a battery pack under the rear seat or a corn stalk painted on the decklid., , Hop in and take off -- and leave the guilt in the garage., , Looks good, too, with sporty front and rear fascias, lower rocker extensions along the sides and a high-mounted deck lid spoiler. Titanium-face gauges and a supercharge boost gauge along the A-pillar (the one at the windshield) deck out what was born as an economy car., , The supercharged 2-liter, 205-horsepower 4-cylinder delivers 200 foot-pounds of torque for those who prefer lively to limp, while boasting membership in the 30-m.p.g. club that includes such bigger members as the Chevy Malibu and Impala as well as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord., , The Cobalt SS does zero-to-60 in 6.4 seconds with a top speed of 143 m.p.h., though don't expect the 4-banger to deliver 30 m.p.g. at that speed. Of course, if you're pushing 143 m.p.h., mileage is probably the last thing on your mind., , And thanks to a sports-tuned suspension and 18-inch performance radials that stick to the pavement in tight turns and corners, there's no need for mea culpas even at a few m.p.h. over the posted limit -- unless the police stop to say howdy., , That sports-tuned suspension was developed on the track and combined with those 18-inch radials, higher spring and shock rates and larger diameter stabilizer bars to keep the body flat with no stumbling. Speed-sensitive steering adds to the agility., , While the SS pops away from the light, aided and abetted by the supercharge power burst, it's a car whose appeal is limited to those who have mastered a 5-speed manual. No automatic, not even one of those tap-shifter jobs., , Chevy also offers a Cobalt SS in coupe and sedan form with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, powered by a 2.4-liter, 173-h.p. 4 but no supercharged boost. The attraction is sporty show rather than sports-car go. But in the 2008 model year, these non-supercharged pretenders will lose the SS designation in favor of being called Sport models., , As an everyday driver, Cobalt SS trunk space is good, and the split rear seat backs fold so you can slip more stuff inside through the trunk. But the rear seats don't fold flat, so count on a balancing act for whatever you put in., , And unless you have a couple little kids, the rear seat probably best holds cargo. Once clearing the seat belts serving as a barrier to the back, you then have to put up with a shortage of leg, knee and especially melon room., , Other standard hardware includes four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes, power mirrors, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player, XM satellite radio, heated leather seats, power door locks and windows, cruise control, rear-window defroster, keyless entry, remote trunk release, front and rear floor mats, leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel and daytime running lamps., , The test vehicle added side-curtain air bags for $395, a must that's proven to save lives, and the OnStar satellite communications system can be equipped with a turn-by-turn voice navigation system through the radio. No need for a pricey navigation system with dash screen, when an OnStar adviser guides you t