By Rick Kranz
Automotive News / June 02, 2003





DETROIT -- Chevrolet will abandon the Cavalier name when it redesigns the car for the 2005 model year. The front-wheel-drive car is expected to be called the Cobalt, say dealers who saw the car last month at a Chevrolet event. Cobalt is a metallic element widely used in alloys.

General Motors wants to start fresh with a new name because the company eroded the Cavalier's brand image with high rebates and cheap leases. For example, the 2003 Cavalier carries a $3,000 rebate, which expires today, June 2.

"I can confirm that it will have a new name, but I can't confirm that name," says Tom Wilkinson, Chevrolet's director of communications.

The new car will be developed on GM's fwd Delta architecture. Dealers who saw it last month say the car does not resemble the 2003 Saturn Ion, the first Delta car.

Dealers say the car's front end adopts the division's family look, with a wide, chromelike horizontal bar featuring Chevrolet's bow tie.

The car's market position is expected to be the same as the Cavalier's, although the new vehicle will have more standard equipment. Sources say the 2005 car line will have several models: base, LS, LT, SS, all with naturally aspirated engines. The supercharged SS will produce about 220 hp.

"The supercharged SS will be a low volume, kind of a halo car for the Cobalt brand," an industry source says. "It is really aimed at the import tuner crowd."

Chevrolet has used the Cavalier name since 1981.

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By Gail Kachadourian
Automotive News / June 25, 2003


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Chevy's new small car will be named Cobalt.
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Chevrolet dumps Cavalier name - 2003-06-02

DETROIT — Chevrolet will name its Cavalier replacement Cobalt, the automaker said this week.

Cobalt, which launches as a 2005 model, is designed to compete against the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. General Motors will build the new small car in Lordstown, Ohio.

 

ugly ass name, sounds liek a cheap peice of shit from the 80's that people make fun of now, like dodge spirit.

 

Neon SRT-4 and now a Supercharged SS Cavalier what is next a Bi-Turbo Echo!

 

these are the rumored pics of it

 

Somehow, I don't think it was high rebates and cheap leases that eroded the Cavalier's brand image.

 

It WAS a POS car, it IS a POS car and WILL BE a POS car.

 

POS is POS no matter what you name it.

 

well it is all new and will probably be based on the opel astra so i don't know about that.

 

Well, the Caviler has been in the top 10 best sellers and is one of the few American cars to get young buyers ala CIvic and hook them up.

I hope they really REDESIGN the car worthy of a name change. The interior is horrible in the current one.

 

Well now that it has a new name, it must be worth checking out.

 

Why are you guys rushing to judgement? Even if it was still named the Cavalier, since it is a new generation of a vehicle, it is for sure worth a look. Every car deserves a look when it's new.

 

The Opel Astra got great reviews in Europe. This car will be based off that car. I'm sure it will be much better than the current Cavalier.. How much better waits to be seen though

 

My friend had an old 90 featureless cav coupe with only like 60K. it was a solid little car. Not speedy or sporty great handling by any means but did really well as a hauler and daily driver. I would borrow it when my car was in the shop, or we were working and he drove and i needed to run an errand. He finally traded it in on a honda, and then honda decided not to keep it for its and gave it back to him Now this car was really immacluate. And as far as being everyones favorite liitle domestic beater...well one of ours friends bought it from him and it we still love it.

As much as i dislike domestic i couldnt knock "little blue" she is a solid little driver. But i will says the cav post the 90 cav SUCKED and so does the current "facelifted" one.

Who knows maybe the cobalt will be a nice surprise, I just think the name is dumb.

 

 

teaser

 

the front looks like the new civic


and that ladies front looks like the inspiration for the aztec

 

the lady looks like she smelled something bad. Maybe she even dealt it.

 

Damm, you guys are funny.

Cobalt, I hate that name already. Sounds like radioactive waste materials.

 

GM knows that north americans will fall for this name-change-trick... Look at the Chrysler's PT cruiser which is just a neon... or Blazer->TrailBlazer....neon-> SX 2.0... wow... SX sounds sexy lets buy that POS! ...

 

next chevy asphalt.

 

I think you guys are too quick to judge. And this shows how negative of a reputation GM has in this car segment. I dont blame you though, it would help to see and ready about the car first, dont you think? I personally am guessing a huge improvement over the Cavalier. Hence the name change. GM does not have much room for bullshit offerings in the car segment any more. They must be at LEAST very good. Be optimistic.

 

Source: x.wieck.com



Source: cheersandgears.com

 

or a dodge colt right

 

you guys would love it if it was honda

its priced for its segment, its built for it too

its not comparable to a cl, why dont you just wait and see what it turns out to be and judge it OBJECTIVELY, i know its hard because people here run on assumptions that the company cant change, but remember that GM is trying to pick chevy up and make it better

 

not gonna bash it yet, but i have a feeling i'll be saying they should have just used the astra body, just like they should have used the vectra body for the malibu.

 

oh and gav, your always the one supporting gm with an optimistic view (like the GT and the corvette), your not alone

 

Ford makes the GT

 

That Astra is tough looking...

 

Why, is there a reason to not be optimistic and feel good abou the Corvette and the Ford GT? All factors considered, the good things one can say about the above 2 cars, are certainly a lot more, than the bad things. So...

 

I think that's what he was saying Gav...that you're right by letting the car speak for itself...regardless of brand...I think...

 

Sorry, I took it the opposite way...

 

yeah uhhh sorry im obvoiusly not the best with words, but he got what i meant

 

Feel the love...

 

Hehehe..

 

 

This pic wont be up for long probably, but it looks like a cheap Kia car...

 

Looks good enough to drive OFF A CLIFF.:P

 

Hopefully the 2 door will be a bit better looking.

 

 

Expressive design. Upscale appointments available. Technological advancements. There's a new player in the premium small car world. Its name is Cobalt. Eight distinctly styled coupe and sedan models to choose from. Coming fall 2004.

Refined Details

Available heated leather-appointed seats
Corvette-inspired rear with jewel-like taillamps
Refined interior with comfortable seating for five
Available rich accents like woodgrain or satin nickel

Technological Advancements


Available XM Satellite Radio(1)
Available CD/MP3 player
Driver Information Center
Available steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls
Available Pioneer premium amplified sound system with seven speakers

Dynamic Driving

Three spirited ECOTEC engine choices: 2.2L, 2.4L or 2.0L Supercharged
Three specially tuned suspension options
Four wheel options: from 15" to 18"
Three transmissions available
Available all-speed Traction Control System

Safety Enhancements


Available OnStar(2)
Available head curtain side air bags(3)
Lower Anchors and Top tethers for CHildren (LATCH system)
Available ABS




seems like a nice car.