[radz28]

Originally Posted by MrIcky

Ya, it's old info, but->

Source: Lightning Lap, Car and Driver- Time around Virginia Int'l Raceway

Chevrolet Cobalt SS 03:13.0 LL1 2008 $22,995
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR 03:13.3 LL2 2008 $38,915
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR 03:13.5 LL1 2006 $29,774

Source: Apex Predators, Motor Trend, Laguna Seca

Cobalt SS/TC
Best Lap - 1:47.751
Max Speed - 121.9mph
Peak Lat Accel - 1.32g

Mitsu Evo X
Best Lap - 1:47.713
Max Speed - 119.9mph
Peak Lat Accel - 1.56g

-

'Ring times:

Evo IX is 8:11 (no official for the X, rumor mill says the IX is faster)
Cobalt SS is 8:22


The Cobalt and Lancer are the same class. It's pretty clear that GM has the know-how to compete with the EVO because a FWD can hold it's own on real tracks. The question is whether a car with such limited appeal would be worth the expense of engineering a robust enough 4wd system. Despite all the hype, EVO's don't sell that high of a volume of cars. Likely wouldn't work for Chevy because they already have chosen their halo car.

Now I could see them pulling a Heinreichy (sp?) treatment on a Solstice and coming up with something really special.

(Yes this is bench racing, and yes EVO's have more potential then Cobalts due to being AWD vs FWD-)

WOW, I've never compared Cobalt times to Evo times but that was really eye-opening. If the SS had more power I think it would've went by the Evo 'round the 'Ring. WOW!