Three decades ago, when fuel prices went through the roof as they did this year, Ford put together a lineup of fuel-sippers named -- logically enough -- MPG.
There were an MPG Pinto, an MPG Mustang II, an MPG Granada, and a few others as I recall. The formula was simple: Strip away the nonessentials to reduce weight and cost, install the most fuel-efficient engine, a manual transmission if possible, and up the gear ratios, all in search of the best mileage each model could eke out. It wasn't high-tech science, but it worked and sold cars in a tough market.Chevy has replicated the formula, and applied it to the Cobalt. This time around, it's called XFE, acronym for Xtended Fuel Economy. Or is it Xtra Fuel Economy? Whatever, it's part of a shuffling of the Cobalt lineup for 2009. The previous 2.2L Ecotec I-4 put out 148 hp and was EPA rated at 24 city/32 highway mpg with a manual transmission. The 2009-spec 2.2L four gets a bump to 155 hp, and its EPA numbers increase to 26 mpg city/37 mpg highway - not insignificant. The previously optional 171-hp, 2.4L four has been dropped, as has the Sport model it came in. The turbocharged SS is unchanged...Read the Entire Review HereSource: Motor Trend