NEW FOR 2008:

Click image to enlarge Images courtesy: Chevrolet

- Revised model designations: LS, LT and Sport
- New Cobalt SS model
- StabiliTrak electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring system standard on Sport
- Chrome exterior package available on LT
- Exterior colours: Imperial Blue Metallic, Blue Flash Metallic and Slate Metallic

For 2008, the Cobalt receives minor changes to its regular line-up. Temporarily discontinued, the Cobalt SS has returned as a late-entry 2008 model. Previously, there were two models, the SS and SS Supercharged. There is now one, the turbocharged SS, which is more powerful than the SS Supercharged it replaces.

Available as a two-door coupe or four-door sedan in all but the SS trim levels, the Cobalt comes with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder in the LS and LT trim levels, and a 2.4-litre four-cylinder in the Sport. The two-door SS uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with turbocharger and intercooler (a four-door will be available for 2009). All engines base with a five-speed manual transmission that can be optioned to a four-speed automatic, except for the SS, which is strictly a stick-shift.

The Cobalt is a sister car to the Pontiac G5 and is built on GM's Delta Platform, which it also shares with the HHR.

Features on the LS include 15-inch steel wheels, manual remote mirrors, variable intermittent wipers, driver information centre, tilt wheel, cloth bucket seats, 60/40 split folding rear seat with pass-through, CD stereo with auxiliary jack, automatic headlamps and engine immobilizer. Coupe models include an easy-entry front passenger seat.

The LT adds air conditioning, power mirrors, cruise control, floor mats, power windows, sport cloth seats, CD/MP3 stereo, and power locks with keyless entry.

The Sport adds 17-inch aluminum wheels, front and rear sport fascias, fog lamps, deck lid spoiler, cargo net, tire pressure monitoring system, leather-wrapped wheel with audio controls, premium stereo with XM Satellite Radio, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, StabiliTrak stability control program, sport-tuned suspension, curtain airbags and OnStar.

Features on the SS include 18-inch aluminum wheels with performance tires, air-dam-style front fascia, fog lamps, diamond-mesh appearance front grilles, deck lid spoiler, front Brembo brake calipers, SS-embroidered sport seats with UltraLux suede-style inserts, SS-specific gauge cluster and turbo boost gauge.

While its interior trim materials and fit aren't quite up to that of its Japanese competitors, the Cobalt offers a good package at a value price, and the 2.4-litre is a peppy powerplant, especially when paired with the five-speed transmission. The Sport ups the content package considerably without adding too much to the base price, but all models can be optioned with anti-lock brakes and curtain airbags.