Ok, I'm sure this is going to sound stupid to some, but hear me out. We all know about the Cobalts running both on the drag racing circuit, and the Grand Am Cup circuit. Well, the question came to me earlier today, is there a chance of seeing the Cobalt running in the WRC? I've seen plenty of FWD cars in those races(I'm a fan, I love Rally Racing), and I don't see why it couldn't be done.

Just a thought I had, although I wouldn't mind seeing one in the WRC, I do not see it happening.

 

If you saw a car off this platform it'd be the Astra, not the Cobalt. The Cobalt's weight bias is pretty shitty to be a rally car, it'd need to be a hatch (hence why I said you'd see an Astra before a Cobalt).

 

I'd rather see a cobalt, but I see your point

 

I really won't be suprised to see it in SCCA rallies. However, the smaller classes require engine restrictions like no boost, and since the cobalt isn't AWD (yet) it wouldn't be worth putting it in the bigger class with EVo's, Talon's, and WRX's. However, a 2.4SS or base 2.2 might make sense in a smaller class.

 

Lets not forget that the rear suspension isnt exactly a prime candidate for soaking up all of those bumps.

 

I would strongly doubt the cobalt will be a WRC contender

 

I would love to see an AWD version of the cobalt ss. A supercharged AWD version would be an awesome entry in the WRC, and GM performance has really shown they can get on it if they want to(Drag cavalier, drag sunfire, time attack cobalt, etc.). Unfortunately, I think that the bean counters won't let it happen. I'm not sure there is an AWD platform in the line anywhere that could easily be adapted, and R&D is undoubtedly dedicated to a new camaro, a possible new GTO, etc. The rally scene in the US is pretty dismal, if I'm not mistaken, and the focus of GM's tuner divisions seems to be in the motor sport arenas that get covered on ESPN.

If you just wanted to dream though, an AWD Cobalt would be sweet in the autox and drag scenes. If you were smoking something REALLY good, you could see potential in the possible partnership of GM with Renault and Nissan.
The Nissan skyline GT-R had an electronically-controlled AWD system referred to by Nissan as the ATTESA system, and the car also had computer-controlled all wheel steering system referred to as the HICAS system. The new GT-R bound for the US in 2008 should have updated versions of these same systems.
Like I said, if you were insane and dreaming you might like to think that they could shoehorn these systems from a $70,000 - $80,000 monster into a $25,000 pocket rocket.

 

i would love to see an AWD cobalt... even a RWD would be awesome