The Chevrolet Aveo, aka the Daewoo Kalos, Holden Barina, Pontiac G3, and many others, is the company’s subcompact car. Available as a three-door hatchback, four-door sedan, and five-door hatchback, the Aveo has a sportier look than that of its Asian competitors.
The small car is powered by a 1.6L I-4 engine producing108hp and 104 lb-ft of torque. This engine can be mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission.
GM has started building the subcompact Chevy Sonic at their Orion Hills, MI plant. The upcoming Chevrolet Sonic may be small in size, but the automaker has huge plans for the subcompact car, which replaces the forgettable Korean-built Chevy Aveo in its lineup. Chevy has gone to great lengths to promote the Sonic, despite the fact that it won’t hit dealer showrooms until sometime this fall.
Like the Aveo, the Sonic was developed in South Korea; unlike the Aveo, the Sonic will be built in the United States. GM is quick to point out that the Sonic is the only subcompact from a domestic manufacturer built in this country. If you count the Fiat 500 as being from Chrysler, it’s built at their plant in Toluca, Mexico. Ford’s Fiesta also comes from south of the border, and is assembled at the Ford plant in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.
The Sonic began production at Chevy’s Orion Township, MI plant today, justifying some $500 million in upgrades that GM has spent on the facility, which also builds the Buick Verano. At launch, Chevy will offer the Sonic at a base price of $14,495, which makes it slightly more expensive than a base Ford Fiesta. Opt for the 1.4-liter turbo engine, and the price goes up by $700. If you want the range-topping LTZ version in hatchback form, that price starts at $17,235.
Chevy has alluded to the Sonic’s handling, referencing its direct DNA link to the Chevrolet Corvette. We’re struggling to make the connection between a front-engine, front-drive subcompact and one of America’s premier sports cars, but we’ll give Chevy some latitude, at least until we have a chance to drive the Sonic.
Chevrolet is officially removing the Aveo nameplate on their B-segment car and will be re-christening it the ‘Sonic’. If you recall, the 2011 Aveo first made its appearance at the Paris Motor Show a few months ago bearing the ‘Aveo’ name. But according to Chevrolet, models that are going to be sold in North America and Mexico will now be called Sonic whereas the Aveo name will be retained in other parts of the world.
In a press release, Chris Perry, Chevrolet’s vice president of US marketing, said, “The Sonic represents a new beginning for Chevrolet in the small car segment and so we felt it was time to give it a new name."
"The new car is roomy, stylish and fun to drive, and Sonic is a youthful, energetic name that helps convey what this vehicle is about."
Hit the jump to read more on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic.
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According to a recent report, Chevrolet is considering a crossover based on the redesigned Aveo. This has to be one of the funniest sounding vehicles since the Nissan Murano Convertible, which is actually being made. That must mean that this will be made as well. Oh no.
We don’t have many details at this time, but according to AutoCar, the crossover will ride on a stretched out Aveo platform and with front-wheel drive as standard. Of course, if you need that extra security, all-wheel drive is an option.
The styling will be similar to what you’d find on most new Chevrolets, but the interior will get improved quality. The crossover will get Opel switchgear and a new high-tech digital display, although the ‘dual cockpit’ design will remain.
There will be an Opel version offered as well, although GM has promised not to badge-engineer.
We could see this new model as early as 2012.
It’s not often we get things right when we make jokes, but we did say that we thought Chevrolet should change the name of the new Aveo. After all, the last one really was terrible.
We completely agree with this rumor, as separating this new model with the last one can only help sales. Take the new Cruze for instance. If it had been called the redesigned Cobalt, would it have gotten the attention it’s currently getting?
The new Aveo will be built at GM’s Orion plant, which it recently renovated. Along with the new Aveo, Buick’s small premium car, the Verano, will be built there as well. It will be the first small car built by the company in over 20 years and will be based off of the Cruze. In total, these two new vehicles could help save up to 1,500 jobs which could be extremely helpful in the current economy.
Hit the jump to see the press release.
After the Aveo RS concept unveiled at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, Chevrolet has unveiled the first details on the new Aveo hatchabck. The official debut will be made at the Paris Auto Show and sales will begin in 2011. The hatchback version will be followed by a sedan next summer.
The new Aveo features a new aggressive looking front with exposed twin-headlamps and dual port grille, compact taut body panels with a rising shoulder line and short rear overhangs, and ’hidden’ rear door handles. The interior features a motorcycle-inspired instrument binnacle which features an analogue tachometer combined with a digital speedo and warning lights.
Under the hood Chevrolet will place a wide range of four cylinder petrol and diesel engines, including two 1.2 liter versions (at 70 hp and at 86hp), a 1.4 liter unit (100 hp) and a 1.6 liter (115hp) and two versions of a 1.3 liter diesel engine (at 75 hp and at 95 hp) featuring Start/Stop technology.
Press release after the jump.
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