Freom GM...

New Chevy Cobalt XFE Delivers 'Xtra' Fuel Economy - Segment Best 36 MPG On The Highway

Consumers looking to squeeze the most mileage from every gallon of gas will find much to appreciate with the new Chevy Cobalt XFE. It delivers a segment-best 36 mpg in highway driving, outdistancing competitors like the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla.

The Cobalt XFE - for Xtra Fuel Economy - is on sale now and includes LS and 1LT coupe and sedan models with the manual transmission. It uses revised engine calibration, low rolling-resistance tires, a new, 3.74:1 final drive ratio and other technologies to achieve an EPA-estimated mileage rating of 25 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway. That's an improvement of more than 9 percent over the previous highway mileage.

"Cobalt has always been an efficient performer, but the changes with the new XFE elevate it to a leadership position that will appeal to customers who put fuel economy at the top of their new-car priority list," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "Better still, the efficiency enhancements don't come at the price of the safety and convenience features that serve as the foundation of Cobalt's value story."

The new, higher-efficiency Cobalts are identified at a glance with "XFE" badges on the trunk lid. Customers can also verify the model they're shopping is the higher-mileage model by checking for the "36 mpg" designation on the window sticker.

Like all U.S.-market Cobalt models, XFE editions come standard with:

Head curtain side-impact air bags
Air conditioning
XM Satellite Radio
AM/FM radio with CD and MP3 playback
Rear defogger
Center console with two power outlets
The Cobalt XFE engine is powered by a 2.2L Ecotec engine that delivers excellent performance in conjunction with the class-leading fuel economy. The Ecotec engine also features numerous long-life maintenance items that help reduce ownership costs.

"Any way you look at it, the Cobalt XFE is a smart choice for those looking to maximize their car-buying dollar," said Peper. "It's well equipped, efficient and plenty of fun to drive."

Specifications

Overview

Models:
Cobalt XFE

Body style / driveline:
5-passenger sedan and coupe, unitized frame,
front engine, front-wheel drive

Construction:
2-sided galvanized steel on exterior panels (except roof)

EPA vehicle class:
compact car

Manufacturing location:
Lordstown, Ohio

Key competitors:
Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta, Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3


Engines

Ecotec 2.2L

Type:
2.2L DOHC I-4

Displacement (cu in / cc):
134 / 2198

Bore & stroke (in / mm):
3.39 x 3.72 / 86 x 94.6

Block material:
cast aluminum

Cylinder head material:
cast aluminum

Valvetrain:
overhead camshafts,
4 valves per cylinder

Ignition system:
electronic direct

Fuel delivery:
sequential fuel injection with electronic throttle control

Compression ratio:
10:1

Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):
148 / 110 @ 5600

Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):
152 / 206 @ 4200

Recommended fuel:
regular unleaded

Maximum engine speed (rpm):
6750

Exhaust system:
stainless steel with aluminized coating on the muffler and tailpipe

Emissions controls:
close-coupled dual catalytic converters; Quick-Sync 24X ignition system; returnless fuel delivery system; fast-response O2 sensor

EPA estimated fuel economy (city / hwy):
25 / 36 (manual)


Transmission

Type:
F23 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive

Gear ratios (:1):

First:
3.58

Second:
2.02

Third:
1.35

Fourth:
0.98

Fifth:
0.69

Reverse:
3.31

Final drive ratio:
3.74:1


Chassis/Suspension

Front:
independent strut-type suspension with stabilizer bar

Rear:
semi-independent torsion beam with stabilizer bar

Steering type:
electric, speed-sensitive, variable-assist rack-and-pinion

Steering ratio:
16.63:1

Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:
3.6

Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):
37.4 / 11.4


Brakes

Type:
power-assisted front discs and rear drums

Front rotor (diameter x thickness, in / mm):
10.7 x .94 / 256 x 24; vented discs

Rear drum (diameter x thickness in / mm):
0.5 / 12

Front total swept area (sq in / sq cm):
47 / 303.17

Rear total swept area (sq in / sq cm):
45.2 / 292.07


Wheels/Tires

Wheel size and type:
15 x 6-inch

Tires:
P195/65R15 all-season


Dimensions

Exterior
Sedan
Coupe

Wheelbase (in / mm):
103.3 / 2624
103.3 / 2624

Overall length (in / mm):
180.5 / 4584
180.3 / 4580

Overall width (in / mm):
67.9 / 1725
67.9 / 1725

Overall height (in / mm):
57.1 / 1450
55.7 / 1415.4

Track (in / mm):
front: 58.7 / 1492

rear: 58.1 / 1476
front: 57.1 / 1449.7

rear: 58.1 / 1476

Minimum ground clearance (in / mm):
5.36 / 136.2
5.36 / 136.2

Curb weight (lb / kg):
LS: 2780 / 1261

LT: 2793 / 1267
LS: 2730 / 1239

LT: 2742 / 1244

Weight distribution (% front / rear):
59 / 41
60 / 40


Interior

Sedan
Coupe

Front
Rear
Front
Rear

Seating capacity:
2
3
2
3

Headroom (in / mm):
38.5 / 979
37.7 / 958.4
38.7 / 984
35.7 / 905.7

Legroom (in / mm):
41.8 / 1062.7
33.7 / 852.6
42 / 1066.5
32.2 / 817.5

Shoulder room (in / mm):
53 / 1345.8
51.4 / 1305.4
53 / 1346.5
49 / 1245.8

Hip room (in / mm):
49.5 / 1257
49.6 / 1261
49.5 / 1257
46.1 / 1172


Capacities

EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L):
Coupe: 83 / 2350

Sedan: 87.1 / 2469.3

EPA interior volume (cu ft / L):
Coupe: 97 / 2747

Sedan: 101 / 2863

Cargo volume (cu ft /L):
13.9 / 394

Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg):
1000 / 454 (all models)

Fuel tank (gal / L):
13.2 / 49

Engine oil (qt / L):
5 / 4.7

Cooling system (qt / L):
6.9 / 6.5





>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

just for the record, I measured my cavi at 38.5mpg between killeen texas and some craphole town in arkansas.

granted I was drafting off big rigs like a mofo but still, getting owned by 2002 technology in 2008


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Those so naive, so hard headed, so narcissistic, that think that buy their own efforts can single handedly change the world, are always the ones that do.

whats the standard ratio for the non-XFE model

384:1

in my daily cobalt i get 27mpg stop and go and 34 on the highway, i don't see anything different with this but 2 more mpg on the highway, big whoop!

in my daily cobalt i get 27mpg stop and go and 34 on the highway, i don't see anything different with this but 2 more mpg on the highway, big whoop!

NUTCASE . wrote:just for the record, I measured my cavi at 38.5mpg between killeen texas and some craphole town in arkansas.

granted I was drafting off big rigs like a mofo but still, getting owned by 2002 technology in 2008

Agreed, my personal best with my old 2002 OHV cav was a MEASURED 42mpg - burned through a tank of gas from philly to north carolina on I-95. My ECO cav has yet to make a straight highway run, but it averages 33mpg mixed driving. For the record, I dont draft or do any tricks to bump up the economy - in fact quite the opposite, all of my cars see 5krpm + daily. I attribute good or sucky economy to two things - maintenance is first and foremost. Second is driving a mile to the supermarket when you could walk. Those short <5 mile trips are murder on fuel economy. If most of your driving is less than five miles per trip, you should seriously consider a motorcycle, moped or hybrid as a DD.

On topic, this cobalt XFE seems like an appealing marketing move for GM and should help them keep up with CAFE standards.

oldskoolI attribute good or sucky economy to two things - maintenance is first and foremost. Second is driving a mile to the supermarket when you could walk.[/quote wrote:

You are wise.

I would like to add that everyone should stop going to the drivethrough!!!!!

Isn't this just a Cobalt with a high gear ratio, a manual transmission and funky tires? I could probably replicate that with my Sunfire. In fact, I think I will. What kind of tires does this Cobalt have?

Theres folks even with the LSJ getting 40mpg, its all in the tune



1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85

Does anyone have info the test procedure for the new fuel economy ratings. I know that the old system had litte to do with the real world performance.

I would think that the J-body should have better economy because it's lighter and has a smaller cross section.

It is here under my name.^

Knoxfire wrote:Isn't this just a Cobalt with a high gear ratio, a manual transmission and funky tires? I could probably replicate that with my Sunfire. In fact, I think I will. What kind of tires does this Cobalt have?

Quote:

It uses revised engine calibration, low rolling-resistance tires, a new, 3.74:1 final drive ratio and other technologies

As for the tires, it is in there.

As for the difference in MPG.
24 / 33 (manual) in the regular
25 / 36 (manual) in the XFE
BTW that is better then the lousy Aveo's # (24 / 34) which it ain't saying much either. lol




>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

Here ya go Craig... strait from the EPA
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/how_tested.shtml



>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

not much difference in gearing , but every little bit helps

the special tires im still laughing about , all it woulda taken is running a higher pressure , i never run below 35psi in my tires

My moms SS S/C gets over 36 on the highway if im careful.

Craig Lewis wrote:Does anyone have info the test procedure for the new fuel economy ratings. I know that the old system had litte to do with the real world performance.

I would think that the J-body should have better economy because it's lighter and has a smaller cross section.

1SV Jbodies are rated at 37mpg highway, and i bet they get at least that. Low-rolling resistance = skinny steelies. No big technology here. I'm curious about the "engine calibration" - If this thing is rated at the same tq and hp as other eco cobalts, why not use this calibration on all of them??

Thanks for the link.

I think tire rack lists rolling resistance as a spec.

I pump my tires up on longer trips. Depending on the tire, performance can suffer in a big way. Especially in adverse conditions. I would bet that buying tires with low rolling resistance to start with would give you better perfomance overall.

The different gear ratio is achieved with a taller tire.

Maybe they should have an "Economy" button. That way, they can sell a powerless dog to meet CAFE standards, then everyone can push the power button for normal use.

Rodimus Prime wrote:Theres folks even with the LSJ getting 40mpg, its all in the tune

Craig Lewis wrote:

Maybe they should have an "Economy" button. That way, they can sell a powerless dog to meet CAFE standards, then everyone can push the power button for normal use.

No maybes about it. This is the best idea I heard. Besides, normal people would use it all the time. Most of the time we don't need to go fast.

my 260whp gets


highway = 31mpg (@ 73mph)
city = 23mpg


Cobalt SS/SC
07 - VICTORY RED - LSD - GM STAGE 2 - I/H/DP - SPORTLINES -
260whp 241wtq

Wow, I'm bitching and complaining about getting only 29mpg in my Yaris (almost strictly city).


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2002 Sunfire -->
- Ractive steering wheel
- ASA 17" EM9 + Nexen N5000 215/45/17 (steelies for winter)
- D-Spec Lowering kit @ 1.4" (issues currently )
- Rockford P250.1 + MTX MZS1004 + Panasonic CQ-C8313U head unit
- Barely legal tint.