Cobalt XFE (extra fuel economy) gets 36 mpg
Faced with increasing CAFE standards in the coming years, Chevy has tweaked the mildly interesting Cobalt models (coupe and sedan) to get better fuel economy. The XFE versions - that stands for extra fuel economy - get an EPA estimated 36 mpg which is between three and five miles per gallon better than the non-XFE versions, according to Chevy (I assume 36 mpg is for highway driving). The official EPA numbers for next best Cobalt - the 4 cylinder, 2.2 L, manual 5-speed - are 33 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg in the city. Our friends at Autoblog mention that the fuel economy gains were achieved through upgraded engine mapping, the use of lower roller resistance tires and maybe some gearing adjustments. The XFE models will be branded with a little XFE badge. Any LS and 1LT five speed manual transmission Cobalts that were ordered on or before March 17th will be XFE versions.
[Source: Chevrolet via Autoblog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris 12:21PM (4/28/2008)
Example of doing what they should have been doing all along...
I'm betting this model has about 5% less power. Now that gas prices are higher, the public will accept a little less power for less frequent visits to the pump.
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Throwback 12:30PM (4/28/2008)
HP reduction is one thing, but how does it drive? Modifing the engine mapping could impact the drivability of the car. Especially when the engine is cold. Makes for great advertising though. I suggest they do XFE versions of all of their cars.
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rar 2:18PM (4/28/2008)
John Lewis Mealer, This is a real car that you can by at a dealer. Not some made up bs scam to try to steal someone money. Hey Autoblog, I thought this crap was not allowed.
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John Lewis Mealer 8:59PM (8/27/2008)
Mealer Companies is the real deal my friend...
Now go back and make high score on your video game!
James Bowe 2:21PM (4/28/2008)
Mealer is an amazing man. Who else could have developed a unicorn powered super scooter???
I recently rented a regular old cobalt, and it was a relatively solid car. My wife much preferred it to our '02 civic, but I'm beatin that puppy into the ground before buying anything else. Maybe Aptera will have a 4-wheel car on the market by then???
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Mattias 3:08PM (4/28/2008)
That's on the right track. I wonder what a Peugeot 308 with the 150hp THP would get according to the US cycle. Here in Europe it gets 24 city, 42 hwy and 33 combined.
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steven 3:57PM (4/28/2008)
I saw on TV this weekend with a GM loyalty discount (if your currently own a 1999 or new GM vehicle) and all other offers, these cars are going for under $12,000. Trying to find a link that shows that...
@5: Unicorn powered? I thought the MAMC was using fairy dust! Granted they have to dry and grind up a lot a fairies... The thing is, the ovens and grinders actually require more energy than they can actually get from the fairy dust.
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BlackbirdHighway 4:22PM (4/28/2008)
You saw an ad for a Cobalt? The only ads I ever see from GM are for Hummers, Tahoes, and Silverados.
And they complain that nobody knows they make fuel efficient cars. Or maybe I'm just watching the wrong TV shows.
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rar 4:46PM (4/28/2008)
Steven you are correct. In my area you can take $3000.00 of the msrp of a Cobalt. You can get a 1LT for around 13,500 before you hammer them on the price. Maybe 12,500 or 12,800? For the money, it does not drive to bad.
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steven 5:32PM (4/28/2008)
@8: Don't judge me too harshly, but it was during the Talladega race yesterday on Fox 5, Washington DC. (I do drive a Saab, after all.) Looks like the best I can find on the web is $12,300 not counting any dickering and not counting the GM employee discount, which would put it down to $11,270 before tax, tags, etc. but they don't put that discounts in TV ads.
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Snowdog 6:46PM (4/28/2008)
This is what everyone should be doing. Remember the CRX had an HF model for high fuel economy. If you want to increase the fleet average, There should be an HF version of every model. Many simple features to boost fuel economy cheaply: More efficient tires, gearing for economy, Some Aero enhancements.
This makes a lot more sense than a $40K plug in hybrid.
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RANDY 8:35PM (7/16/2008)
THANK YOU! I HAD A 1984 CRX THAT GOT 51 MPG IN THE CITY AND 55-57 ON THE HIGHWAY !!
Kevin Nugent 8:27PM (4/28/2008)
I still wont buy one , in my opinion it looks terrible
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motorman 8:11AM (4/29/2008)
if max fuel mileage is the end requiment all car are going to look the same because wind tunnel results don't lie and the shape of the cars had more to do with MPG than the engine. i drive a 430 HP corvette which will pull 20/22 MPG everyday and 26/28 MPG on trips at 65 to 75 MPH
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MikeW 4:52PM (4/29/2008)
This 'XFE' seems way too reactionary, and of little substance.
Where is the 2.2 with variable intake & exhaust valve timing?
Where is the 6 speed stick or 6t40 automatic?
MIA
http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewpressreldetail.do?domain=12&docid=45407
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Ryansw 5:18PM (5/14/2008)
Put it up against the competition. It has 8 more HP than a Civic and 25 more FtLbs or torque! but gets the same fuel economy(25/36). Plus the power is available at more realistic engine speeds. I can only imagine what it would achieve with the VVt from the 2.4L version. Oh and just try getting a Civic for $12,500..... HA!
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Ben 5:57PM (6/05/2008)
Companies like toyota and mazda need to adopt GM style gearing. Most GM cars have HUGE overdrives and get great highway fuel econ. Toyota on the other hand insists that its cars are screaming on the highway and get bad gas mileage (4 bangers at least) e.g. 4-banger (and it is a banger) Highlander, 2800 RPM @70 MPH. thats ridiculous.
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diffrunt 9:19PM (7/22/2008)
make it a 3dr or 5 dr & I will trade in my HHR
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matt 10:03AM (11/21/2008)
ok so a sales person told me that the XFE is a scam. he told me the engine with the XFE and without the XFE are the same. the trany with the XFE and the one without XFE is the same. he sowed me what the only thing that gives the car the "XFE" symbol is the tiers. so i pay $500 for the XFE tiers. and get maby 1 mpg better than the one without.
anyone agree or disagree?
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Mike 1:26AM (6/20/2009)
I just bought a 2009. Yes they are real. It has the VVT engine. It is EPA rated at 37 highway\
Differences: leaner tune on the ECU, higher final gear ratio to the drive shafts, lower roll resistance tires. A dash light that indicates when to shift.
I don't notice any lack of torque at low rpm's. It's peppy and fun to drive. And hard to find-- only about 10% of the Cobalt sedans out there are manuals.
I paid $12,300, after incentives, before TTL, for a 2009 today (June 19, 09) in Alabama.
This vehicle is not plush-- XFE is only available on the lower cost trims. Seats and interior have too much plastic. But it gets great mileage and the other stuff is easy for GM to fix. Have you seen the vehicle that's slated to replace the Cobalt in mid 2010? Sweet, 1.6 liter turbocharged engine, higher MPG, nice looks inside and out.
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