| Chevrolet Cobalt | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production | 2004–2010 2012– present |
| Model years | 2005–2010 (North America) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact car |
| Layout | Front engine, front wheel drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Geo/Chevrolet Prizm (Cobalt) Chevrolet Cavalier (Cobalt) Pontiac Sunfire (G5) |
| Successor | Chevrolet Cruze (Cobalt) Buick Verano (G5) Chevrolet Onix (3rd generation) |
TheChevrolet Cobalt is acompact car introduced byChevrolet in 2004 for the 2005 model year. The Cobalt replaced both theCavalier and theToyota-basedGeo/Chevrolet Prizm as Chevrolet's compact car. The Cobalt was available as both acoupe andsedan, as well as a sport compact version dubbed theCobalt SS. Like theChevrolet HHR and theSaturn ION, it was based on theGM Delta platform.
APontiac version was sold in theUnited States and Mexico under the G5 name for 2007–2009. It was sold as thePontiac G4 inMexico for 2005–2006 and as thePontiac G5 inCanada for its entire run (where it was briefly known as thePontiac Pursuit and laterPontiac G5 Pursuit). The G5 replaced the Cavalier-relatedPontiac Sunfire. While the Cobalt was available as a 2-doorcoupe and a 4-doorsedan in all markets it was offered in, the G5 was only available as a coupé in the United States while a sedan version was sold alongside the coupé in Canada and Mexico.
As with their predecessors, all Cobalts and its Pontiac equivalents were manufactured atGM's plant inRamos Arizpe, Mexico andLordstown, Ohio. TheUnited States Environmental Protection Agency classified the Cobalt as asubcompact car.[1]
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Pontiac G5 (2007–2010) Pontiac Pursuit (2005–2006, Canada) Pontiac G5 Pursuit (2006 only, Canada) Pontiac G4 (2005–2006, Mexico) |
| Production | 2004–2010 |
| Model years | 2005–2010 |
| Assembly | Lordstown, Ohio, U.S. Ramos Arizpe,Mexico |
| Designer | Phil Zak |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupe 4-doorsedan |
| Platform | Delta platform[2]/GMX001 |
| Related | Chevrolet Cobalt SS Chevrolet HHR Saturn ION |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 5-speedF35 (MU3)manual 5-speedGetrag F23manual 4-speed4T45automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 103.3 in (2,624 mm) |
| Length | 180.5 in (4,585 mm) (coupe) 180.3 in (4,580 mm) (sedan) |
| Width | 67.9 in (1,725 mm) |
| Height | 57.1 in (1,450 mm) (sedan) 55.5 in (1,410 mm) (coupe) |
| Curb weight | 1,246 kg (2,747 lb) (sedan) 1,216 kg (2,681 lb) (coupe) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Chevrolet Cavalier Chevrolet Prizm Pontiac Sunfire (G5) |
| Successor | Chevrolet Cruze (Cobalt & G5) Buick Verano (G5) |
The frontsuspension wasindependent withMacPherson struts, while a semi-independenttorsion beam was used in the rear. The wheelbase was 103.3 in (2,624 mm), longer than its competitors, and the width was 68.4 in (1,737 mm). Weight was average in-class, at 2,681 lb (1,216 kg) for the coupe and 2,747 lb (1,246 kg) for the sedan. For 2009, theUnited States Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy was increased to 24 mpg‑US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg‑imp) city/34 mpg‑US (6.9 L/100 km; 41 mpg‑imp) highway withautomatic transmission, and 26 mpg‑US (9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpg‑imp) city/37 mpg‑US (6.4 L/100 km; 44 mpg‑imp) highway withmanual transmission. The engine output was increased to 155 hp (116 kW).
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) the Cobalt receives an overall top score of "Good" for front collisions.[6]However, it receives a "Poor" overall score for side impacts without side curtainairbags,[7] and an "Acceptable" overall score with side curtain airbags.[8] In 2008, side curtain airbags became standard, but the Cobalt's structure remains the same and consequently in structure/safety category of the IIHS's side impact test the Cobalt receives a "Marginal" score. Side airbags are limited to the curtain type; torso type side airbags are unavailable.[9] According to the IIHS's injury measurements taken from the side impact test, the driver's torso is given a "Marginal" score.
The IIHS also found 2005-08 model year Cobalts had the highest fatality rate in the small 4 door car class, with 117 deaths per million registered years compared to its class average of 71.[10]
2010 NHTSA sedan crash test:[11]
Before 2009 the Cobalt only offered stability control as an option on Sport models.[9]
In early 2007, 98,000 Cobalt coupes from the 2005–06 model years were recalled after it was discovered they did not meet federal safety requirements because of a lack of adequate padding in a specific area of the vehicle's trim. This resulted in an unacceptable vulnerability to head injuries, though GM claimed the vulnerability would only affect motorists not wearing a seat belt.[12]
On March 2, 2010, GM announced a recall of 1.3 million compact cars in North America, including the Chevrolet Cobalt, because ofpower steering problems.[13] GM implemented the repair on older models before fixing more recent models, as the car was replaced by theChevrolet Cruze in late 2010. ThePontiac G5 and its international variants were also affected, though GM had already ended production of thePontiac brand by that point.
On September 28, 2012, GM announced a recall of 40,859 cars including the Chevrolet Cobalt from the 2007-09 model year because of a potential fuel leak. Although the recall was limited to five states, vehicles from other southern states were covered for repair when summer heat caused cracks in the fuel reservoir assembly. The fuel vapor leak could be detected during hot days by a gasoline smell in the vicinity of the car.[14]
Faulty ignition switches in the Cobalts, which cut power to the car while in motion, were eventually linked to many crashes resulting in fatalities, starting with a teenager in 2005 who drove her new Cobalt into a tree.[15] The switch continued to be used in the manufacture of the vehicles even after the problem was known to GM.[16] On February 21, 2014, GM recalled over 700,000 Cobalts for issues traceable to the defective ignition switches. In May 2014 theNHTSA fined the company $35 million for failing to recall cars with faulty ignition switches for a decade, despite knowing there was a problem with the switches. Thirteen deaths were linked to the faulty switches during the time the company failed to recall the cars.[17][18]
| Years | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–2006 | 2.2 LEcotec L61I4 | 145 hp (108 kW) | 155 lb⋅ft (210 N⋅m) |
| 2007–2008 | 2.2 LEcotec L61I4 | 148 hp (110 kW) | 155 lb⋅ft (210 N⋅m) |
| 2009–2010 | 2.2 LEcotec LAPI4 | 155 hp (116 kW) | 150 lb⋅ft (203 N⋅m) |
| 2006 | 2.4 LEcotec LE5I4 | 173 hp (129 kW) | 163 lb⋅ft (221 N⋅m) |
| 2007–2008 | 2.4 LEcotec LE5I4 | 171 hp (128 kW) | 167 lb⋅ft (226 N⋅m) |
| 2005–2007 | 2.0 LEcotec LSJS/CI4 | 205 hp (153 kW) | 200 lb⋅ft (271 N⋅m) |
| 2008–2010 | 2.0 LEcotec LNFTurboI4 | 260 hp (194 kW) | 260 lb⋅ft (353 N⋅m) |
| Model Year | U.S. Sales |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 4,960 |
| 2005 | 212,667 |
| 2006 | 211,451 |
| 2007 | 200,621 |
| 2008 | 188,045 |
| 2008 Special Edition SS | 5,000 |
| 2009[19] | 104,724 |
| 2010[20] | 97,376 |
| 2011 | 127,472 |
The Pontiac G5 was a rebadged version of the Chevrolet Cobalt.
In Canada, a rebadged variant of the Cobalt called the Pontiac Pursuit was sold from 2005 to 2006 as a sedan only. In 2006, another version of the vehicle was released in Canada, now called the Pontiac G5 Pursuit, and it was now available as both a sedan and a coupe. In Mexico, the vehicle was called the Pontiac G4 and was sold as both a sedan and a coupe from 2005 to 2006.
In the United States, the Pontiac G5 went on sale in 2006 as a 2007 model, serving as the replacement for the Pontiac Sunfire, and was only available as a coupe. In Canada and Mexico, the Pontiac G5 went on sale in early 2007 as a 2007 model, available as both a sedan and coupe.
General Motors discontinued the Pontiac G5 in the United States in 2009, and it was discontinued in Canada and Mexico in 2010. The Chevrolet Cruze served as a replacement for both the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5.
In 2009, Chevrolet launched the Cobalt's eventual successor, theChevrolet Cruze (based on the newDelta II platform), in Europe, with launches in other markets (including the US) following in 2010. The Cobalt ended production on June 23, 2010.[21][22] With the discontinuation of the Pontiac brand by GM in 2010, theBuick Verano is marketed as the G5's successor in Canada, while the Cruze serves as ade facto replacement for thePontiac G5 in the United States.
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| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 Chevrolet Cobalt (pre-facelift) | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Ravon R4 (Uzbekistan, 2016–2020) |
| Production | 2011–2019 (Brazil) 2012–2016 (Colombia) 2013–present (Uzbekistan) 2020–present (Kazakhstan)[23] |
| Model years | 2012–present |
| Assembly | Brazil:São Caetano do Sul (GM Brazil) Uzbekistan:Asaka (GM Uzbekistan/UzAuto Motors)[24] Colombia:Bogotá (GM Colombia) Azerbaijan:Hajiqabul (AzerMash: 2021–present)[25] Kazakhstan:Kostanay (SaryarkaAvtoProm)[23] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-doorsedan |
| Platform | Gamma II platform |
| Related | Chevrolet Spin Chevrolet Sonic |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.4 L I4 flex-fuel 1.8 L I4 flex-fuel 1.5 L I4 gasoline |
| Transmission | 6-speedmanual 6-speedautomatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,620 mm (103 in) |
| Length | 4,479 mm (176.3 in) |
| Width | 1,735 mm (68.3 in) |
| Height | 1,514 mm (59.6 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,091–1,137 kg (2,405–2,507 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Chevrolet Astra (Latin America) Chevrolet Viva (Russia) |
| Successor | Chevrolet Onix Plus (Latin America) |
In 2011,General Motors Brazil introduced a new model bearing the Cobalt name in the Brazilian market.[26] This Cobalt replaced the aging localChevrolet Astra. The car is equipped with a 1.4 Econo.Flex engine. Although sporting a similar front end style, it is not directly related to theChevrolet Agile, since it shares the overall underpinnings with the 2011Chevrolet Sonic,[27] while the Agile is derived from the considerably olderOpel Corsa B, from 1993.
Chevrolet had no plans to bring the Cobalt to theNorth American market, which already had theChevrolet Sonic andChevrolet Spark as thesubcompact cars in the continent. In GM Brazil's line-up, it is situated above theChevrolet Prisma and below theChevrolet Cruze.
In January 2013, the Cobalt was launched in the Russian market, where it was imported from Uzbekistan. There, it was offered with a 1.5-liter engine, producing 77 kW (105 PS) and 134 N⋅m (99 lb⋅ft).[28] The Cobalt was retired in Russia in December 2015, when Chevrolet decided to minimize its presence only to its iconic models. However, in late 2016, it was reintroduced under the newRavon marque as theRavon R4.[24]
The Chevrolet Cobalt was assembled in Colombia too. It was equipped with a simple range of two versions and a single 1.8-liter 8-valve 106-horsepower engine. With a very discreet commercial performance and a taxi variant, its production in the Colombian market ended in early 2016.[29]
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The Cobalt received a facelift in late 2015 for the 2016 model year.[30][31] Its main rivals are theNissan Versa and theRenault Logan.[27]
In Brazil, production ended in late 2019, with 2020 being the final model year. The Cobalt has been succeeded by theChevrolet Onix Plus sedan, which achieved higher sales upon its launch in 2019.[32]
AfterUzAuto phased out the Ravon brand in 2020, the Ravon R4 was once again renamed the Chevrolet Cobalt.[33] The Cobalt / R4 made by UzAuto never received the 2015 facelift seen in other markets.[34]
| Year | Brazil |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2,342[35] |
| 2012 | 66,658[36] |
| 2013 | 59,690[37] |
| 2014 | 47,061[38] |
| 2015 | 22,957[39] |
| 2016 | 22,467[40] |
| 2017 | 22,949[41] |
| 2018 | 21,490[42] |
| 2019 | 13,103[43] |
| 2020 | 537[44] |
| 2021 | 6[45] |
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