We’ll admit to a growing fondness for Chevrolet’s Cobalt small car, especially the one that debuted this year as the 2006 Cobalt SS Supercharged coupe.

With performance suspension and 205 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque on tap from a lightweight aluminum overhead-cam 2.0-liter four-cylinder, the supercharged model is good. But if you really want something to get charged up about, stand by for Stage 1 and Stage 2 upgrades for the SS Supercharged (and Saturn Ion Red Line) due in early 2006.

Stage 1 adds revised fuel injectors and new engine calibration to pick up another 20 hp; Stage 2 increases boost via a smaller supercharger pulley (along with another engine recalibration job) to amp up the torque by about 20 lb-ft. The packages can be readily installed by the owner. Pricing will be announced in November at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas.

We’ve driven the base supercharged cars, along with the Stage 1 and 2 upgrades, and while the Stage 1 noticeably increases power, the added torque in the Stage 2 package is worth the extra cost and effort. The added boost provides a substantial increase in power, especially at the low- and mid-rpm range where base and Stage 1 models need a downshift to prevent running short of breath.

Need more incentive? GM Performance hoss John Heinricy says he expects a 20 percent power boost from the Stage 2 kit “when all is said and done.” That’s about 246 hp and 240 lb-ft, if you’re keeping score.

GM plans to freshen the line for the 2008 model year. The company no longer is exploring an all-wheel-drive variant that would be aimed at the Mitsubishi Evolution and Subaru WRX. Such a model would be too costly.

General Motors will increase production of its Chevrolet Cobalt coupe and sedan to keep up with demand, according to trade publication Automotive News. A notice sent out by the UAW indicates production could increase by 24,000 units annually. GM is expected to add overtime shifts to its Lordstown, Ohio, plant to boost output.

Using launch control or no-lift shifting gives you the inkling that you’re going to break the car or engine or Saab-sourced five-speed manual—or all three—in half, but Chevy warrants the powertrain for five years or 100,000 miles and says that engineers performed 600 launch-control blastoffs in a row to validate the whole shebang.