The 2005 Time Attack Cobalt SS Supercharged is a prototype developed by GM’s Performance Division to show the Cobalt’s potential. It was originally displayed at the 2005 SEMA show and raced at the Time Attack Tuner Challenge on November 8, 2005. Below are the related press release articles:

10-30-2005 To turn a street machine into a track racer you need the right pedigree: a hot, lightweight performer with plenty of handling capabilities, and a team of battle-tested racing engineers to make it happen. That explains why Chevrolet and GM Performance Division have taken the sizzling Cobalt SS Coupe Supercharged coupe and turned it into an Unlimited Class Time Attack machine, which already bested the legendary Nissan Skyline’s times by seven seconds in Street Tuner Challenge’s Time Attack on July 21.

The premise behind Time Attack is to take a street vehicle and – using tires that are legal on public streets – turn in the fastest lap on a racetrack for the vehicle class. The vehicle must be from a model originally produced for legal street use and it must have a silhouette largely faithful to the original.

Because Time Attack challenges involve multiple runs, the engine must be powerful and durable. The Time Attack Cobalt SS Supercharged coupe’s Stage 2+ Ecotec engine is certainly up to that challenge. Developed by GM Performance Division and GM Powertrain, it features an Eaton M-62 Gen 5 Hybrid supercharger and delivers 264 horsepower at 7000 rpm and 230 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm. When nitrous boost is added, performance jumps to 344 horsepower at 6800 rpm and 350 lb.-ft. of torque at 3600 rpm.

Because weight is the nemesis of performance, many of the production Cobalt elements have been replaced with carbon fiber counterparts. These include the fenders, hood, doors, roof, decklid, spoiler, side splitters and Sparco car seat. The vehicle’s glass has also been replaced with Lexan, and interior trim has been kept to a minimum. The result is a vehicle that weighs a mere 2,350 pounds.

Inside, the Time Attack Cobalt SS Supercharged coupe incorporates safety systems per National Auto Sport Association (NASA) race rules, including a full roll cage, side net and fuel cell. It also features a full complement of race gauges, as well as a Sparco race steering wheel and GM Accessories pedals.

The Time Attack Cobalt SS Supercharged coupe runs in NASA’s Unlimited class, which includes FWD, RWD and AWD vehicles. Following SEMA, it will race on Nov. 8 at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in central California – the same track where it beat the best times of an 801-horsepower AWD, twin-turbo Nissan Skyline and a nitrous-charged Volkswagen Jetta.

Vehicle Highlights
• Stage 2+ Ecotec engine developed by GM Performance Division and GM Powertrain
• 264 hp @ 7000 rpm (344 horsepower @ 6800 rpm with nitrous boost)
• 230 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm (350 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3600 rpm with nitrous boost)
• Eaton M-62 Gen 5 Hybrid supercharger
• Carbon fiber body panels (fenders, hood, doors, roof, decklid, side splitters and spoiler)
• Modified suspension, tires and brakes
• Glass replaced with Lexan
• Corsa exhaust system
• Fuel cell
• Nitrous oxide system
• Race paint scheme with sponsor logos
• Race wheels
• Minimal interior trim
• Full roll cage and side net
• Sparco race steering wheel
• Safety system per National Auto Sport Association race rules
• Sparco carbon fiber race seat
• Race gauge package

11-08-2005 BUTTONWILLOW, California - Timing is everything, and the timing of the new Cobalt SS Supercharged's introduction couldn't be better. As Chevy's new sport compact performance car debuts in dealer showrooms, it already has a record-setting pedigree. Driver John Heinricy piloted a race-prepared Cobalt SS Supercharged on a challenging road course at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park, besting both the legendary Nissan Skyline and the new Volkswagen Jetta by more than seven seconds. The Cobalt SS, which is based on Chevy's new factory-built front-wheel-drive Super Sport, posted a time of 1:58 around Buttonwillow's #13 track configuration, which was fast enough to eclipse the marks set by the All-Wheel-Drive, twin-turbo Skyline (2:05) and the nitrous-charged Jetta (2:07).

"It was an absolute blast to run the Cobalt SS flat-out on the Buttonwillow track," said Heinricy, current SCCA driving champion and GM Performance Division's Director of High Performance Vehicle Operations. "GM Performance Division and the Powell Motorsports crew gave me a perfectly prepared car, and the Ecotec engine ran flawlessly."

A television crew from Speed Channel's Street Tuner Challenge was on hand to direct the day's competition at the track. The Street Tuner Challenge chose three vehicle makes representing North America (Chevrolet Cobalt SS), Europe (Volkswagen Jetta) and Asia (Nissan Skyline) and followed each team throughout a 13 week build competition. The Cobalt build team was comprised of engineers and designers from the GM Performance Division and Powell Motorsports, while the Nissan Skyline was built by XS Engineering and the Jetta was assembled by Autobahn Designs. The final time attack race served as the build completion and the culmination of Speed Channel's taping. For program times, please check Speed Channel's web site at http://www.speedtv.com.

The production Cobalt SS Supercharged has strong performance credentials in factory trim. Powered by a supercharged and intercooled 205-horsepower, 2.0-liter Ecotec DOHC four-cylinder engine and equipped with a tenacious suspension developed on Germany's famed Nurburgring race track, the production Cobalt SS Supercharged will bring more heat to the already red-hot sport compact segment.

GM Performance Division created the Cobalt SS for this time attack competition to demonstrate the ultimate capabilities of the four-cylinder, supercharged Ecotec engine and Chevy's new front-wheel-drive "tuner" car. The program was led by the GM Performance Division, in collaboration with Chevrolet, GM Powertrain, GM Performance Parts, and GM Design. Powell Motorsports, in Blackstock, Ontario, Canada provided vehicle preparation and logistical support for the successful assault on the time attack.

"The Cobalt SS surpassed every expectation we had going into this competition," said GM Performance Division Executive Director Mark Reuss. "We came to Buttonwillow to demonstrate the performance and reliability of the Ecotec engine on one of the most demanding tracks in the world. The Cobalt SS, driver John Heinricy, and the entire team performed to the highest standards. We're out here to be the best, and today we proved that Chevy and GM race to win."

Enthusiasts will be able to catch a live glimpse of the Time Attack Cobalt SS Supercharged this November at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. It will also run on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 in Super Street magazine's Time Attack at Buttonwillow Raceway Park.

Time Attack Cobalt SS Supercharged Specifications:
Body/chassis structure: Uni-body
Body material: Two sided galvanized steel, carbon fiber doors, hood, decklid, rear wing, front splitter, roof
Chassis material: Two sided galvanized steel, carbon fiber roof
Suspension
Front: Macpherson strut, no front bar, increased spring rates, Ohlins adjustable struts
Rear: Twisting beam with adjustable sway bar, increased spring rate, Ohlins adjustable shocks
Wheels: 9.5 x 18, 9.5 x 17
Tire size: Front: 245 40 17 Rear: Same as front
Tire brand: Hoosier DOT
Brakes: 111.6 / 296 x 1.02 / 26; vented discs front 0.6 / 270 x .55 / 14; solid discs
Powertrain
Engine: ECOTEC LSJ Supercharged
Stage 2 Kit: Larger injectors, 77.9 mm pulley
Engine displacement (cu. in / cc): 2000 cc
Horsepower maximum (hp / kw): 265 hp (SAE)
Torque maximum (lbs-ft / Nm) 270 lb-ft
Transmission: F35 5 spd mt with 4.45 final drive
Dimensions
Height (in / mm): 55.7
Length (in / mm): 180.3
Width (in / mm): 67.9
Wheelbase (in / mm): 103.3
Track
Front/rear (in / mm): 57.1/58.1 nominal
Weight (lbs / kg): 2300 lbs

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