[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!

[MrIcky]

Originally Posted by radz282003

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!

It's not power limited, it's traction limited :(. It's almost 600lbs lighter than an EVO X.

[2010 SS]

Originally Posted by MrIcky

and yes EVO's have more potential then Cobalts due to being AWD vs FWD-)

That is why people buy the Evo. Stock it's decent but 300hp for $36k doesn't cut it anymore. People buy Evo for it's potential.

The 4B11 motor that comes stock in the VIII's and IX's is good for 1000hp and still being tapped for more. Sure the Cobalt has respectable numbers, but I don't see it competing with the Evo in it's tuning potential.

....plus, let's be real....there's no "cool" factor with the Cobalt. I sure wouldn't fear one, nor imagine anyone trying to street race in one.

I vote GM redesign the Cobalt to make it more appealing, more aggressive. Yea, this is waaaay off topic now, lol.

Originally Posted by MrIcky

Despite all the hype, EVO's don't sell that high of a volume of cars.

The Evo has always been a niche car. With the redesign of the Evo X, Mitsu hopes to appeal to a broader audience. Sales so far have been better than previous Evo entries.

[Blownhotrodder]

That car needs some side valences and a nice low bumper cover on the back and it would look great.

[MrIcky]

Originally Posted by 2010 SS

....plus, let's be real....there's no "cool" factor with the Cobalt. I sure wouldn't fear one, nor imagine anyone trying to street race in one.

LOL, ya I wouldn't race one if I were you either, because you'd be sad that you overspent . The AWD is nice, and you'll always have an advantage laying power down- but it's still a Lancer body with a big wing and a lot of ducts. Lancers are no sexier then Cobalt Coupes. I believe you said something about being fast and competing with cars twice the price?

Per R&T:
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO GSR 1/4 Mile 13.6 @ 100.9
2009 Cobalt SS 1/4 Mile 13.9 @ 104.0

People have been getting 1000 hp out of the ecotecs, but that wouldn't work well on a FWD car. I thought the EVO X motor didn't tune nearly as well as the older EVO motors. I wouldn't street race in either car, because that's pretty assinine. But it's fun to see a 40% cheaper car tag your bumper all day in any kind of track race, isn't it. In 2 months, Chevy is putting out a factory tune to bring the Cobalt over 300 hp/tq and retain warranty for less than $1000. So at that point I'd be 22500 into it and a stock EVO X would be somewhere behind me.

But ya, you have more potential

I'm just playing with you, I appreciate that you enjoy your car. You just came out swinging on my beloved bud.


-----
Sorry for derailing the thread

[AirGoya]

Besides engines, AWD just opens up sooo much more potential with racing. Don't get me wrong, the current cobalt ss is a amazing car. I've been wanting to buy one for a while but I'm holding out for the Camaro. I just wish that GM would make a AWD sports car with a capable platform. With that, GM can get into a whole new market I think. The only smaller AWD car that I can think of that GM makes is the Pontiac Vibe. So there ya go.

[Camaro_Corvette]

Looks nice!

[GatorBlue371]

Originally Posted by 2010 SS

That is why people buy the Evo. Stock it's decent but 300hp for $36k doesn't cut it anymore. People buy Evo for it's potential.

The 4B11 motor that comes stock in the VIII's and IX's is good for 1000hp and still being tapped for more. Sure the Cobalt has respectable numbers, but I don't see it competing with the Evo in it's tuning potential.

....plus, let's be real....there's no "cool" factor with the Cobalt. I sure wouldn't fear one, nor imagine anyone trying to street race in one.

I vote GM redesign the Cobalt to make it more appealing, more aggressive. Yea, this is waaaay off topic now, lol.






The Evo has always been a niche car. With the redesign of the Evo X, Mitsu hopes to appeal to a broader audience. Sales so far have been better than previous Evo entries.

I agree, the Cobalt SS isnt the coolest car, but lets be real, If the Evo wasnt a riced out crapbox more people would buy them.

[Muscle Master]

Originally Posted by GatorBlue371

I agree, the Cobalt SS isnt the coolest car, but lets be real, If the Evo wasnt a riced out crapbox more people would buy them.

would call this a tuner

[MrIcky]

Originally Posted by Muscle Master

would call this a tuner

I agree with this. There is some good real tech on an EVO. It ain't just a wing. I think I like the older ones better though, they keep getting heavier and more intricate. Which is really against their nature since they started with a rally tradition. I only lashed out because he tried to put baby in a corner, and no one puts baby in a corner (sorry 2010 SS).

GM's in a tough position though.

People want the Cadillacs and G8s to be more BMW like.
They want to push the less expensive sporty cars toward Mitsus.

GM all the while wants to be a new GM and have it's own identity. The Corvette is what it is, but you really make your brand identity in the 25-35 range. It will be a great day when they start calling cars like the OP's 'the poor man's CTS'. When that happens GM has succeeded in its comeback.

[Design1stCode2nd]

GM last year did a WRC concept. Can’t remember what it was called. Reminds a little bit of the Beat concept. I’d like GM or Ford to come up with a less expensive and better looking competitor to the Evo and STI. Ford has one in the Euro Focus RS (would need to be AWD) GM doesn’t currently offer anything like that.

What I’d really like is a LS3, AWD, 4-door that weighs in at 3,600 or less lbs. Yes I know the eco-tech 4 is the realistic choice for this segment but still if you have it in the parts bin…

[2010 SS]

Originally Posted by MrIcky

LOL, ya I wouldn't race one if I were you either, because you'd be sad that you overspent

Hardly. That's like telling a Ferarri owner he "overspent" because your modified lunchbox goes faster. I'd rather be seen in an Evo then a Cobalt.

Originally Posted by MrIcky

but it's still a Lancer body with a big wing and a lot of ducts.

.....And a more sophisticated suspension, drivetrain, tranny, motor, etc. etc.

Originally Posted by MrIcky

Lancers are no sexier then Cobalt Coupes..

Matter of opinion.

Originally Posted by MrIcky

I believe you said something about being fast and competing with cars twice the price?

Per R&T:
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO GSR 1/4 Mile 13.6 @ 100.9
2009 Cobalt SS 1/4 Mile 13.9 @ 104.0

Bench race much? The Cobalt is $24k, the GSR can be had for $28k. Hardly "twice the price".

Originally Posted by MrIcky

But it's fun to see a 40% cheaper car tag your bumper all day in any kind of track race, isn't it. I'd be 22500 into it and a stock EVO X would be somewhere behind me.

I must be terrible at math, I didn't know the difference between $24k and $28k (or even MSRP for a GSR of $33k) was 40%.

Also, what happens on paper/theory vs what really happens on a track are two different stories. I'll shut up when I see a Cobalt vs Evo X on a track.

[GatorBlue371]

Originally Posted by 2010 SS

Hardly. That's like telling a Ferarri owner he "overspent" because your modified lunchbox goes faster. I'd rather be seen in an Evo then a Cobalt.






.....And a more sophisticated suspension, drivetrain, tranny, motor, etc. etc.






Matter of opinion.






Bench race much? The Cobalt is $24k, the GSR can be had for $28k. Hardly "twice the price".






I must be terrible at math, I didn't know the difference between $24k and $28k (or even MSRP for a GSR of $33k) was 40%.

Also, what happens on paper/theory vs what really happens on a track are two different stories. I'll shut up when I see a Cobalt vs Evo X on a track.

opinion.


id rather be seen in a tolerance club meeting than an Evo.



btw. What are you talking about with 28k?


MRSP from the mitsu website.



Stock Base 33k,


Upgraded 39k.

[2010 SS]

Originally Posted by GatorBlue371

id rather be seen in a tolerance club meeting than an Evo.

Your opinion.

Originally Posted by GatorBlue371

What are you talking about with 28k? MRSP from the mitsu website. Stock Base 33k.

South Coast Mitsubishi (the nations largest Evo dealer) sells Evo X GSR's for $3-$4k under MSRP.