SS at SEMA: 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo and HHR Panel SS Co

With cars like the Mazda Mazdaspeed3 and Dodge Caliber SRT4 redefining "cheap speed," Chevrolet has stepped up to the challenge with its SEMA debuts: the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo and the HHR Panel SS Concept, which previews the HHR SS production vehicle.

The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo and HHR Panel SS Concept benefit from the same 2.0-liter Ecotec four stuffed in the Pontiac Solstice GXP and the Saturn Sky Redline. Making 260-horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque with a five-speed manual, the Cobalt SS Turbo is up 55 horsepower and 60 lb-ft from the previous Cobalt SS, which was supercharged. Chevy claims the Cobalt SS Turbo is good for a 0-60 mph run of 5.7 seconds, which is a few ticks faster than the time we achieved with the supercharged Cobalt SS. Both SS cars have a turbo boost gauge on the A-pillar, like the Pontiac and Saturn fitted with the same engine.

At the 14-mile Nrburgring racing circuit, the Cobalt SS clocked a time of 8:22.85 minutes, which Chevy says sets the lap record for front-drive sport-compact cars. Helping the Cobalt SS beat the previous record by about 13 seconds and deliver 0.9 g grip is an FE5 sport suspension that includes a MacPherson strut independent front suspension with SS-specific gas-charged twin-tube struts, 24-mm solid stabilizer bars for the front and rear suspension, and an available limited-slip differential.

An improved electric power steering system with a steering ratio of 14.8:1 make for more precise steering while 12.4-inch Brembo front vented rotors with four-piston fixed calipers and 11.5-inch rear vented discs with single-piston calipers further separate the Cobalt SS Turbo from non-SS Cobalts. The SS Turbo rides on SS-specific 225/40-series Y-rated summer tires and new 18x7.5 inch wheels.

The SS Turbo now features "no-lift shift," which allows for quick upshifts without lifting the throttle.

The HHR Panel SS Concept

Imagine the HHR Panel SS Concept's 20-inch wheels a little smaller and forget about the "polished metal body side trim" and you'll pretty much have the HHR Panel SS, which Chevy plans to sell in limited numbers during the 2009 model year. Like the Cobalt SS Turbo, the HHR Panel SS has the upgraded FE5 suspension, 2.0-liter Ecotec and A-pillar boost gauge, but where the Cobalt SS receives a 160-mph speedometer, HHR Panel SS drivers must settle for a speedometer topping out at 140-mph. The HHR Panel SS Concept's cargo area has billet aluminum tie-downs, floor strips, and load brackets instead of rear seats.

Can the now-turbocharged Chevy SS models truly compete with the best in its class? The numbers suggest they can, but only time and a Motor Trend test will tell for sure.

GM also dropped a series of photos of another SEMA show special that it calls the HHR Panel SS-Special SEMA Edition. The vehicle has Motor City Speed Equip badging on it, along with a special interior. That's all we know for now, stay tuned to our SEMA coverage next week for more on this car and much more.