MINI Cooper, Chevy Cobalt, Hyundai Elantra among Greenest Cars for Earth Day

In time for Earth Day, NADAguides.com has announced its Top Five Cleanest Conventional Cars of 2009.
Hybrids aren’t the only choice for those who wish to minimize the environmental impact of their driving and while NADAguides.com is a large proponent of hybrid and alternative fuel technology, given that the industry will be highlighting hybrids for Earth Day, the company wanted to show that there are also conventional vehicles that can help cut down on air pollution.So, to provide consumers with an alternative to alternative fuel vehicles, NADAguides.com evaluated fuel economy and emissions data and determined that the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, MINI Cooper, Pontiac G5 and Hyundai Elantra are the Top Five Cleanest Conventional Cars of 2009.

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

General Motor may consider to build 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt in China as well as North America by 2010, local Beijing Morning Post reports on Tuesday.
The report cites words from GM chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner as hinting that the automaker will continue to give priority to the introduction of more fuel efficient Chevrolet brand small cars to China.
Known for value-driven, efficient performance, the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt comes with enhancements that provide increased fuel efficiency, better refinement and dependability.
The chairman announced at the beginning of this month to launch a new global compact car program for Chevrolet, a next generation for the popular Chevy Aveo, and a high efficiency engine module for the U.S. market. This new car is much recognized as the Chevrolet Cobalt model.
The new Chevy compact will be better equipped than today's compact cars, and will be designed to set quality and safety benchmarks for the compact class. Production will begin in mid-2010 at GM's Lordstown, Ohio, plant, subject to final negotiations with state and local authorities

CHEVY COBALT

The 2009 Chevy Cobalt ranks 22 out of 35 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 73 published reviews and test drives of the Chevy Cobalt, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Cobalt is an adequate performer with great fuel economy and enough upscale cabin options to entice a large audience. But its class-leading competitors have similar qualities and more comfortable seating.
Reviewers with realistic expectations are pleased with the Chevy Cobalt. Those writers highlight the car's dependable performance, available entertainment options, and noteworthy gas mileage. But others get stuck on the car's small dimensions and less than definitive styling.
If you need a roomier car with a bolder visual statement, the VW Rabbit might appeal to you. Reviewers are surprised by the amount of space inside the Rabbit, and also appreciate the car's unique VW design elements.
But one thing the Cobalt has going for it over the Rabbit is the chance to buy domestic. First introduced in 2004 to replace the well loved Chevy Cavalier, there were rumors the 2009 Cobalt was about to be replaced itself. But small engine cars are experiencing a renaissance, so while its successor the Chevy Cruze is well on its way, production on the Cobalt might continue as well. Even with the uncertainty facing the auto industry and the fate of brands like Pontiac, Saab, Saturn or Hummer, General Motors intends to focus product and marketing on brands like Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC.
For 2009, the Chevy Cobalt comes as a two-door coupe or four-door sedan in LS, LT and performance tuned SS Turbo trims. The Sport model has now been discontinued.

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE

Somewhat to Chevrolet's surprise, the Cobalt has turned out to be a better than expected seller for GM's most popular brand, and is its smallest and most fuel efficient model. Built on GM's Delta platform, the Cobalt doesn't quite match the popular Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, two competing models in quality, but in price and fuel economy the car holds its own.
For 2009, Chevrolet has tweaked the Cobalt where it counts: in fuel efficiency. The most fuel efficient model is the XFE (Xtra Fuel Economy) delivering an impressive 37 mpg on the highway or 26 mpg in the city with its manual transmission.
History of the Cobalt
First rolled out as a 2004 model, the Cobalt replaced the decades old Cavalier, a dated, but fairly decent selling entry-level model that was first launched in the early 1980s. GM's small car Delta platform, which also underpins the Chevrolet HHR, Pontiac G5, and the Saturn Astra serves the Cobalt. The XFE model has a 148 horsepower 2.2L ECOTEC I4 engine and is paired with a 5 speed manual transmission with other engine and powertrain combinations available. However, to achieve the highest fuel economy the XFE combination is what truly delivers the best numbers.
XFE - Xtra Fuel Economy
To achieve the higher fuel numbers, which adds a substantial 3 mpg highway to the XFE, parent General Motors had to do some refining to hit that target. Changes in computer programming, adding low-resistance tires, and a change in gearing brought about the increases. Best of all, these changes were not technological add-ons, updates which could increase the price of a car. As the model year comes to an end, the base Cobalt still retails for just $15,070 which is before rebates kick in. A well equipped model can be had for about $17,000 which includes rebate money, taxes, tags, etc. Truly the Cobalt is priced to compete.
What You Get With Every Cobalt
With every Cobalt, you get a subcompact car that can carry as many as five passengers, comes with a number of options including OnStar, XM Radio, safety and security features, and has a sport option. Air conditioning is standard equipment as is an AM/FM radio with CD player and MP3 playback. Customers wanting more power can select a turbocharged 2.0L I4 or a high output 2.4L I4 engine. However, if best in class fuel economy is what you crave, then only the XFE will do.
What's Coming
The Chevrolet Cobalt will soldier on for at least two more model years before its widely anticipated replacement model, the Cruze, steps in. The all-new Cruze is set for introduction at the 2008 Paris Auto Show and will be built in Europe initially before GM's Lordstown, OH plant starts building the car in two years time. By then, the 2011 Cruze will be ready and the Cobalt will fade into the history books.
So, if you're looking for an economical American made model to get you around today, then the Chevrolet Cobalt will not disappoint you. Compare the Cobalt to the Corolla, Civic, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, and the Nissan Sentra to find what similar models have to offer to you.

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo * Engineered and developed by GM Performance Division * 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged and intercooled engine with 260 horsepower (194 kW) * GM Powertrain Sweden five-speed transmission with short-throw shifter * Nürburgring-tuned FE5 Sport suspension delivers 0.9 g grip * Brembo fixed-caliper front discs and vented rear disc brakes * SS-specific appearance with unique fascias and rear spoiler – including available high wing * 18-inch high-polished forged aluminum wheels and Y-rated performance tires * SS-specific interior with new sport seats, A-pillar boost gauge and more * On sale: second quarter of 2008 TURBOCHARGED CHEVROLET COBALT SS GIVES A BOOST OF FUNTO THE COMPACT SEGMENTLAS VEGAS – Celebrating the performance community that comprises SEMA, Chevrolet used the annual convention of all things high-performance to announce the 2008 Cobalt SS coupe. True to its legendary moniker, the Cobalt SS delivers a balance of track-proven performance capability, driving refinement and premium features – along with an undeniably fun and youthful character.Developed by GM Performance Division (GMPD) and powered by a 260-horsepower (194 kW) turbocharged and intercooled 2.0L Ecotec engine, the Cobalt SS delivers 55 horses (41 kW) more than the previous Cobalt SS Supercharged, and its driving experience was validated on racetracks throughout North America and Europe, including Germany’s legendary Nürburgring circuit.“The Cobalt SS is the very essence of Chevrolet’s fun spirit and serious performance,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “The horsepower will put a permanent smile on your face and you’ll find yourself wanting to turn around and zip through your favorite stretch of twisty roads again.”The Cobalt SS coupe arrives in dealerships in the second quarter of 2008. A Cobalt SS sedan, with all of the same high-performance features of the coupe, follows a couple of months later.Maximum performance – on the street or trackThe Cobalt SS was developed by GM Performance Division (GMPD), with a team of engineers and designers dedicated to crafting high-performance vehicles. It features powertrain and chassis enhancements that are similar to the new HHR SS, but with larger Brembo brakes, a slightly “taller” final-drive ratio and other variances that emphasize the Cobalt SS’s pure performance ethic, as well as maximize its competitiveness on the track.Engineered to offer more than merely a turbocharged rush of power, an all-new FE5 Sport suspension was developed and includes specific stabilizer bars, spring rates and damper tuning – all designed to complement the high-output turbocharged powertrain and mitigate afflictions such as torque steer. Driver-selectable modes help maximize performance whether on the street or track. The unique “no-lift shift” feature enables manual-transmission-equipped models to achieve the best acceleration time via an algorithm in the engine controller.Ensuring the car stops as confidently as it accelerates and corners are four-wheel disc brakes with standard ABS. The front brakes are from Brembo and have a performance-oriented fixed-caliper design, which resist fade better than floating caliper designs; the rear discs are vented for better heat dissipation. Along with these high-performance attributes, the Cobalt SS comes standard with a host of safety features, including the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system and side-impact air bags.With its balanced tuning, the Cobalt SS delivers a quick 0-60 time of approximately 5.7 seconds – thanks to the manual transmission’s “no-lift shift” feature – and a sports car-like maximum lateral grip of 0.9 g. This combination enabled the Cobalt SS to set a new class record while circulating the famed Nürburgring racing circuit, posting a time of 8:22.85 minutes.Unmistakable styleThe Cobalt SS is distinguished on the exterior with several unique features, including a distinctive, air dam-style front fascia with integrated projector-beam fog lamps. The new fascia’s grille and the Cobalt’s upper grille sport a new, SS-specific diamond-mesh appearance.SS-specific rockers and badging adorn the body sides, while a standard deck lid spoiler adds the requisite sporty touch to the rear of the car. The standard spoiler can be replaced with an optional high wing-style aero enhancement that gives the Cobalt SS the look of a racecar. Also at the rear is a prominent, bright-tip exhaust outlet.Large, five-spoke 18-inch polished forged aluminum wheels and performance tires are standard and are tailored with the specific body enhancements to give the Cobalt SS a lower, performance-oriented stance – while also showing off the large Brembo front brake calipers. They’re mounted on 225/40-series summer tires. Likewise, the available exterior colors enhance the sporty nature of the vehicle. They include Victory Red, Black, Ultra Silver Metallic, Imperial Blue, Rally Yellow, Sport Red Tintcoat and White.Like the exterior, the interior is unique to the Cobalt SS, including SS-embroidered sport seats with suede-like UltraLux inserts, a specific gauge cluster, an A-pillar-mounted turbo boost gauge and a new shifter arrangement. Three interior color combinations are available: Ebony, Light Grey and Victory Red.