Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Blur
 I'd like to see you explain how the LNF-powered Cobalt SS scored 8:22 at the Nurburgring, 2 seconds behind the Camaro SS. I'd go ahead and argue that GM got the whole package right, including the suspension. From a performance perspective, that's all there is.
It would only be appropriate to argue that the Civic is an attractive car, finally. It's angular shape gives the front end an exotic look, and the interior is unique, especially with the digital speedometer and dash. That being said, attractiveness is such a subjective topic that discussing it scientifically is nearly impossible, so let's focus on the objective facts: the LNF outperforms the K-series Honda motor when placed in the same product. It's indisputable.  |
You summed up your post with the assertion that GM makes the best cars and trucks in the world, based it would seem poon your assertion that their motors are the best in the industry. If we are going to revisit the strict comparison of engines here then I agree the Turbocharged Ecotec is 'better' as a practical performance engine without question.
That said, would I take a Cobalt SS over a Civic Si? Probably not. And that speaks volumes here because I really don't care for the Honda's 'zing her til she screams' approach to going fast. I like a nice, high revving piece as much as the next guy, but I don't want to be forced to drive with the tach needle in the stratosphere in order to actually move with anything approaching gusto.
The problem? The Cobalt SS goes fairly fast and, in terms of absolute numbers, handles very well. That said, refinement is at the low end of the spectrum to be kind and the car doesn't communicate like it ought to for a performnace car. Throw in styling which says 'I was a Cavalier in a past life' and a fairly chintzy interior and the verdict is in. The Cobalt is a strict numbers car that doesn't nothing but go fast particularly well. Unfortunately for GM there are cars out there with comparable performance that do those other things you will notice in your daily ride better.
For similar money I can get a Mazdaspeed 3 with a better interior, more refinement, and similar performance. GM could fix all of this fairly easily by exerting a little sweat tweaking what is a fundamentally excellent platform for better ride and handling and throwing a restyle the Cobalts way which doesn't draw a connection to a car best forgotten. Will GM do this? Not a chance.
Why do I say this? Lets take the Corvette as an example. What keeps the Corvette from toppling the 911 from its throne as the iconic global sports car? The answer isn't complicated. A truly world class interior to replace the not suitable for a Hyundai version the current model dons, seats which aren't ridiculously uncomfortable and which offer something approaching actual support, a bit more care given to the build quality, and a steering rack which doesn't make a Trabant feel like it has good feedback and the Vette has a decent shot at the throne.
These problems have been brutally evident since the C6 arrived, and frankly predate that same C6 model by decades. In fact, the actual problems with the Vette are so relatively few in number, and so glaring when the car is driven, that you have to wonder how the C6 made it through production with these issues in the first place. So, what has GM done in order to fix what is wrong with the Vette? Well, they fixed the one thing which wasn't broken in the first place, how fast the Vette is, and gave us the Z06. Still the same laughable interior, still the same 'is this really a sports car' steering, still the same awful seats, and still some questionable build quality issues.
That didn't work, the Z06 was too rough around the edges and only took the Vette's existing shortcomings and threw them into a faster car with terrible NVH. How to fix that? Continue to leave the same terrible interior, seats, and steering in the car but make it even more ridiculously fast and call it a ZR1. Huh? Anybody home? Nobody is complaining about the amount of speed offered here guys. How about we try fixing what is actually broken here?