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)
4-28-2008 @ 12:21PM
Chris said...
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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4-28-2008 @ 12:30PM
Throwback said...
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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4-28-2008 @ 2:18PM
rar said...
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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8-27-2008 @ 8:59PM
John Lewis Mealer said...
Mealer Companies is the real deal my friend...
Now go back and make high score on your video game!
4-28-2008 @ 2:21PM
James Bowe said...
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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4-28-2008 @ 3:08PM
Mattias said...
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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4-28-2008 @ 3:57PM
steven said...
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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4-28-2008 @ 4:22PM
BlackbirdHighway said...
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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4-28-2008 @ 4:46PM
rar said...
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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4-28-2008 @ 5:32PM
steven said...
@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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4-28-2008 @ 6:46PM
Snowdog said...
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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7-16-2008 @ 8:35PM
RANDY said...
THANK YOU! I HAD A 1984 CRX THAT GOT 51 MPG IN THE CITY AND 55-57 ON THE HIGHWAY !!
4-28-2008 @ 8:27PM
Kevin Nugent said...
I still wont buy one , in my opinion it looks terrible
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4-29-2008 @ 8:11AM
motorman said...
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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4-29-2008 @ 4:52PM
MikeW said...
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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5-14-2008 @ 5:18PM
Ryansw said...
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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6-05-2008 @ 5:57PM
Ben said...
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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7-22-2008 @ 9:19PM
diffrunt said...
make it a 3dr or 5 dr & I will trade in my HHR
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