Reading through an old autoweek on the can recently I came across a motorsports update from 1991. They taked about 3 or 4 GroupC and IMSA teams. The Tom Walkenshaw Group C Toyota was making over A METRIC TON OF DOWNFORCE at 120mph and they were struggling to find more horsepower. Those cars were Flat bottomed with a network of tunnels strategicaly placed by aerodynamicists to create maximum ground effect in which the car was being suked down onto the road. You'll also notice the relatively low placement of the rear wing which is also further away form the chassis(usually for LeMans) than say a F1 car:

Various Nissans

1991 24hrs LeMans winner Mazda 787B

Toyotas group C

What M. Schmacher drove before F1

Eventually rules had to be imposed, LeMans was chicaned, no more ground effect either - its just like what started to happen in F1 in 88 but supposedly modern F1 cars are faster than the 80-93 cars.


I thnk the Cobalt could possibly have been run with a better dirver (GM facotry test driver) vs. an Autosport Magazine driver which I dont know what level of course and car skill the guy had. Put GanSan in the S2000 and we will see what a stock S2000 can do: GanSan shakes down a 91 NSX at the Nurburgring

 

Well, maybe the Cobalt SS has what it takes then. I know FWD is probably alot more confidance inspiring than a rear lift prone stock AP1 on such a highspeed course.

 

Then I guess the driver is not it!

Although I believe the Cobalt SS could indeed be faster than the S on the ring, I'm still skeptical of its overall listing.

If indeed it had factory tires and boost level and was 100% stock, that's an amazing level of performance for such a cheap car. To beat the Exige S, CS, M coupe, E92 coupe, and E46 M3--that's extremely impressive performance for the price. And even if it wasn't 100% stock, it's still very impressive.

I'm glad I talked my former coworker into it instead of continuing to drive his beater cavalier

 

I love it. CSTV>viper.

 

QUOTE (selected results @ wiki))
8:22 Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2008 2.0 Turbo verified manufacturer time
8:22 Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 280 PS/1430 kg Motoharu Kurosawa Best Motoring Video Special DVD
8:22 BMW M3 E46 343 PS/1584 kg Horst von Saurma Sport Auto 12/2000
8:22 BMW M Coupe E36/7 321 PS/1445 kg Horst von Saurma Sport Auto 10/1998
8:24 Audi S5 354 PS/1718 kg Sport Auto 01/2008
8:24 Subaru Impreza Sport Auto 05/2004 Sport tires
8:25 Lotus Exige S 243 PS/xxx kg Horst von Saurma Sport Auto
8:25 Porsche Cayman S Horst von Saurma Sport Auto
8:26 BMW 335i E92 Coupe 306 PS Horst von Saurma Sport Auto 306 hp
...
8:32 Porsche Boxster S 252 PS Horst von Saurma Sport Auto 12/1999
8:39 Honda S2000 Horst von Saurma Sport Auto 01/2000


HAHAHAHAHA WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!! if thats true then DAYUM i got some newfound respect for the cobalt Holy SHEIT

on par with a r32 GTR!, M3, hmmm....skeptical

 

Cobalt SS faster than an Exige S @ the Ring? Factory cars?

Oh, the source is Wikipedia! Damn I was worried.

 

haha ya callin complete and utter BS on this one lol, it just doesnt compute

"CANNOT COMPUTE" -in robot voice

 

Damn, y'all beat me to it. Wiki ftl.

 

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if the Cobalt SS could do that. I'd just be extremely surprised if it could do that showroom stock. If they dialed up the boost and threw on some R-comps it makes sense.

 

I do not doubt the Cobalt SS being a great performer but this is like saying you can perform surgery with an axe. Sorry but a Lotus Exige S is a little bit to much for a Cobalt SS to keep up with.