[USA] Chevrolet Sonic RS 2013

[Touareg 2.5]

es.autoblog

Press Release :

Turbocharged 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS Pushes Performance

Unique exterior and interior styling, sport-tuned suspension and standard MyLink

2011-12-19

DETROIT – A hotter Chevrolet Sonic is about to sound off – the 2013 Sonic RS. It goes on sale in late 2012, after making its public debut at the North American International Auto Show Jan. 14-22.

The new RS amplifies the Sonic's youthful style and driving experience with unique exterior and interior features matched with a 138-horsepower (103 kW) Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine. Sonic is the only vehicle in its segment to offer a turbocharged powertrain.

"The new Chevrolet Sonic RS pushes Chevrolet's performance heritage in a new direction, for a new generation of drivers," said Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing. "It takes the Sonic's great design and latest connectivity features and combines them with a more performance-oriented look and feel."

The Sonic RS is offered exclusively in the five-door body style. Chevrolet's exclusive MyLink infotainment system is standard. It enables navigation directions downloaded through a smart phone to be shown on the radio's large display, and offers the personalized connectivity of Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio.

Sonic RS exterior features

New front fascia with new fog lamp design

New RS-specific grille

New rear fascia

New rear spoiler

New rocker moldings

Unique mirror cap finish

Retuned sport exhaust with chrome outlet

Unique 17-inch five-spoke wheel design

Lowered and stiffened suspension with performance-tuned dampers

RS badging.

The more-aggressive look of the Sonic RS is inspired by the concept that debuted in Detroit in 2010. The Sonic RS will be available in Victory Red, Summit White, Cyber Gray Metallic and Black Granite Metallic, which is a new exterior color for the 2013 Sonic.

"The Sonic RS remains true to the progressive spirit of the concept and brings an unmistakable attitude to the segment," said John Mack, design director for the Sonic. "From every angle and every touch point, it is a car that is unabashed in its performance statement – and one that drives Chevrolet's performance legacy into its second century."

One of the most-dramatic cues from the concept carried into the production model is the Sonic RS's front fascia, which has a deep air dam design that enhances the car's road-hugging stance. Vertical intakes at the edges of the fascia reinforce the wide, low proportion and house the fog lamps.

Sonic RS interior features

New front sport seats

New sport steering wheel with thicker rim and racing-inspired flat-bottom design

New shifter knob (manual transmission)

New aluminum sport pedals

Specific instrument panel cluster graphics

RS-specific interior trim color for the instrument panel and door trim inserts.

"Like the exterior, the Sonic RS's interior looks and feels the part of a true performance car," said Mack. "The seats are firm and provide great lateral support during quick cornering and the feel of the thick, flat-bottom steering wheel is a feature driving enthusiasts will truly appreciate."

The Sonic RS's interior is a connected environment, with the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment seven-inch color touch screen radio. This system allows customers to bring customized music libraries into the vehicle and use their smart phones and Bluetooth connectivity to access Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio and navigation. Navigation directions downloaded through a smart phone can be displayed on the screen and, when the vehicle is stopped, users can project video and even personal photo albums onto the screen from their phone.

Sonic RS performance

The Sonic RS is powered by a standard Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine that is rated at 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) – and provides an immediate feeling of power that is sustained across the rpm band, for a greater feeling of performance at lower rpm. It's matched with a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic.

Unique gear ratios for the six-speed manual transmission and unique final drive ratio for the automatic give the Sonic RS a sportier feel than non-RS models.

Complementing the segment-exclusive turbocharged powertrain is MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar, and a semi-independent, torsion beam axle-mount compound link-type rear suspension – featuring a robust, tubular V-shape beam – with gas-charged shocks. The front and rear tracks are identical at 59.4 inches (1,509 mm), for well-planted stability and balance.

The new RS is the only Sonic model offered with four-wheel disc brakes, which are partnered with a four-channel anti-lock braking system. The four-sensor system – one at each wheel – incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on such factors as road conditions and the weight of passengers and/or cargo.

Electric power steering is standard and features a wear compensator that continually adjusts the system interaction with the steering gear to ensure precise steering action over the life of the system.

Sonic lineup at a glance

The Chevrolet Sonic is offered in two body styles: a four-door sedan and a five-door, with a starting price of $14,495 (including destination charge). Each body style delivers class-leading, rear-seat roominess and cargo space. Vehicle highlights include:

Standard Ecotec 1.8L engine (non-RS models) paired with five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions

Standard electric power steering and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing

Sedan offers trunk capacity that is greater than most compact cars; hatchback and sedan offer better rear-seat roominess than Ford Fiesta. With a rear seat that folds nearly flat, the Sonic hatchback has greater cargo capacity than Fiesta

Connectivity includes OnStar with six months of Turn-by-Turn navigation. Available features include XM Satellite Radio, USB and Bluetooth functionality and MyChevrolet mobile application

Remote start, heated front seats and sunroof – all rarities in the segment

Ten standard air bags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and OnStar with Automatic Crash Response.

Sonic is built at the General Motors' Orion Assembly Center in Michigan, which received a $545-million investment in upgrades and retooling and helped restore approximately 1,000 jobs in the metropolitan Detroit area.

Chevrolet

La variante sportiva della Chevrolet Aveo sarà presentata al Naias di Detroit a gennaio. La Sonic, nome della Aveo in Usa, non potrà vantare il badge SS, ma prenderà il nome di Chevrolet Sonic RS e sarà una versione sovralimentata tramite turbina dell’utilitaria a stelle e strisce. Il propulsore è un Ecotec da 1.4 litri turbo, capace di erogare 138 cavalli e 200 Nm di coppia e verrà abbinato ad un cambio manuale a 6 marce o ad un automatico, sempre a 6 rapporti.

La Sonic/Aveo RS riceve anche degli aggiornamenti per quanto riguarda l’assetto e l’impianto frenante, che ora vede freni a disco anche al posteriore, al contrario delle altre versioni in produzione. Dal punto di vista estetico la versione RS è stata modificata con nuovi paraurti, uno spoiler posteriore, una calandra specifica, cerchi da 17 pollici ed un nuovo impianto di scarico con terminale cromato. L’auto è più bassa delle versioni normali ed è leggermente più impuntata sul davanti dando un’aria aggressiva alla vettura.

All’interno troviamo dei nuovi sedili, più contenitivi rispetto a quelli della Aveo normale, un volante sportivo più spesso e con il lato inferiore piatto, pedali in alluminio, stumentazione specifica ed una nuova leva del cambio. Sarà disponibile anche il sistema Chevrolet MyLink con schermo da 7 pollici touch screen con il quale gestire il sistema di infotainment dell’auto. In Usa sarà disponibile in Victory Red, Summit White, Cyber Grey Metallic e Black Granite Metallic.

autoblog.it

Ecco la versione da 138Cv della nuova Aveo.

Ancora non si sa se l'Aveo europea riceverà lo stesso trattamento; vedremo nei giorni a seguire.

Aggiunta la Press.

[superkappa125]

Apprezzo la sobrietà del trattamento.

Vista dal vivo direi che la Sonic/Aveo si presta bene ad una variante sportiva, è molto larga e piazzata.

[AndreaB]

Mi piace. Peccato per quei due buchi nella console centrale.....

[Merak]

Mi piace. Peccato per quei due buchi nella console centrale.....

[superkappa125]

Ma ... ma che roba è?

Sarebbero le bocchette dell'aria? Non capisco..