March 15, 2005
BusinessCars & TrucksIssues Management

By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman

I thought The Wall Street Journal might feel a little bit left out after I singled out The New York Times in recent posts. So just to show that I’m an equal opportunity enjoyer of all the major dailies, let’s have a look at the WSJ review of the Chevy Cobalt from Friday, March 11.

The article starts off, “How hard could it be to replace the Chevrolet Cavalier… for Chevrolet, the answer seems to be ‘pretty hard’…” and from there it gets even better!

Now, I am not one to quarrel with any writer’s subjective interpretations or opinions. On the other hand, we can’t always sit idly by and let the press say things like, “There are places where Chevy took obvious shortcuts, like with its rear drum brakes. Are we technology snobs for believing, more than 40 years after four-wheel disc brakes first appeared on passenger cars, that every car should have more-efficient discs on all four wheels?”

Here’s a partial list of cars in the segment (and others) that also have rear drum brakes: Toyota Corolla CE, S, and LE; Toyota Camry; Honda Civic DX, VP, HX, LX, EX and Hybrid; Honda Accord; Ford Focus S, SE, and SES; and the Chrysler PT Cruiser.

Somebody with the time and the stacks of old Wall Street Journals should really take a look, but I would bet their reviews of most of these other vehicles don’t complain much about rear drums.

The WSJ adds, “The Cobalt's 2.2-liter, four-cylinder engine puts out 145 horsepower -- more than the Civic and Corolla, but those lighter cars manage to come across as more peppy … The Cobalt was brisk enough for merging with highway traffic, but the overall feeling from the engine is one of laziness.”

Strangely enough, the April Car and Driver includes a review of an almost identical test car. They call it “Plainly Good,” a reference to Cobalt’s exterior styling. The C&D article begins thusly, “Those who pray to a higher power for the revival of General Motors should note that in many religions the savior prefers to arrive in plain dress.”

What’s very interesting is that, as I waded through Car and Driver’s subjective praise, I discovered that their performance numbers put the Cobalt’s braking at the head of its class. Imagine! Drum brakes and all! Also, their clocked zero-to-60 time was 8.4 seconds with that “lazy” 145-hp, 2.2-liter four, which placed it second (to the Neon) out of a group of 10 segment vehicles tested.

Cadillac BLS
Cobalt SS

Furthermore, C&D separately clocks the Cobalt SS Supercharged model at a 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds. The SS model will have a gorgeous leather interior; unique fascias, rocker panels and spoiler; sport-tuned suspension; a 205-hp supercharged engine mated to a five-speed manual; 18-inch wheels and performance tires, starting at just over $21,000. Plus, an optional performance package offers Recaro performance front seats and a Quaife limited-slip differential.

I’m sure the SS will be more to the WSJ’s liking — but we’d like to know what the rest of you think about it ...

 

Way to go Bob!