2012 Chevrolet Sonic: First Photos of the North American Version of the Aveo

It appears that the wait for Chevrolet's Aveo replacement is almost over as we have the first official photos of the North American-spec model. Confirming previous rumors, General Motors ditched the Aveo moniker in favor of a new name as the small car will be called the Chevrolet Sonic on this side of the Atlantic. The company noted that the model for markets outside the U.S., Canada and Mexico, which was first seen at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, will retain the Aveo name.


"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,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet U.S. Marketing. “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."
The five door hatchback version pictured here doesn't appear to be any different than the Aveo seen in Paris. We're still short on intel, but we gather it won't be long before General Motors releases full details on the N.A. Sonic, which will be manufactured at the firm's Orion Assembly in Michigan starting from 2011.


GM has not yet shown the sedan version of the Aveo / Sonic, but you can get a sneak peek of the car in these official patent drawings in our previous post.

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Paris Show: Chevrolet Aveo 5-door, Sedan Coming Soon [With Live Pics]

The Aveo is finally here and in the metal, and Chevy says it's aimed at younger buyers interested in a hot-hatch "looking every bit as good as the Aveo RS show car concept". Points for trying, guys, but not really...

Set to hit Europe in the summer of 2011, the Aveo 5-door will be powered by a variety of small-displacement gasoline and diesel engines (ranging from 70 to 115 horsepower) and even be available with a 6-speed stick. For all the specs on available engines and the like, check out our previous post.

The sea of black plastic has seeped out from the interior and found itself all over the exterior of the car, as evidenced by the front and rear light housings and former rear quarter window. Also, whatever was once attractive from the rear 3/4 view (like the C-pillar kink and rear end treatment) seems to have been watered down a notch.

And if the hatchback doesn't do it for you, Chevrolet should be presenting a sedan version of the car either in LA in November or in Detroit in January 2011. Anyone interested in a 180-horsepower SS version?

By Phil Alex

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VIDEOS: 2011 Chevrolet Aveo, Captiva Facelift, Orlando MPV and Cruze Hatchback

As promised, here are the respective promotional videos of Chevrolet's Paris Motor Show-bound Aveo sub-compact, Captiva 7-seater SUV, Orlando 7-seater MPV and the Cruze five-door hatchback. From these four cars, only the Aveo has been confirmed for the U.S market with sales of both the five-door variant and the yet-to-be-revealed sedan model to start sometime in 2011.

First Photos of 2011 Chevrolet Aveo Interior

When General Motors lifted the wraps off the production 2011 Chevrolet Aveo hatchback on September 8, it only gave us a couple of pictures of the subcompact's exterior. But today, we came across a promotional video (to be added soon) and took some snapshots of the cabin.

Sans the more luxurious leather appointments and sporty decorative trim of the Aveo RS concept study shown in Detroit this past January, the interior design is virtually unchanged on the production model.

Highlights include the motorcycle-inspired instrument binnacle which features an analogue tachometer combined with a digital speedo and warning lights, and the classic Chevrolet wrap-round fascia of the dashboard.

General Motors claims that it has used "high quality materials" in the interior which also features multiple storage spaces in the center stack and an audio system with USB, aux-in and Bluetooth functionality.

The new Aveo will make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show later this month. For more details on GM's five-door supermini.

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New Chevrolet Aveo Revealed in Production Form Ahead of Paris Show

Hot off the introduction of the Orlando MPV and Cruze hatchback show car, Chevrolet today released the first photos of the production Aveo five-door hatchback, which will make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show at the end of the month.

Most of the styling, including details such as the 'hidden' rear door handles and the 'angry' looking front with the exposed twin-headlamps and dual port grille, has been carried over from the Aveo RS show car that was displayed at the Detroit and Geneva motor shows earlier this year.

Chevrolet did not release any pictures of the cabin, but expect the design to be similar to the concept model. According to GM, interior features include a motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster, blue backlighting on the center console, multiple storage spaces in the center stack and an audio system with USB, aux-in and Bluetooth functionality.

GM said that the Aveo hatch is longer and wider than the current model offering interior and cargo volume that is "among best in class".

The company claims the new Aveo's chassis has been tuned to satisfy European tastes "with a ride and handling ratio that combines comfort with responsiveness." Electronic power steering (EPS), Electronic stability control (ESC) and ABS brakes will be standard on all trim levels.

In Europe, the Aveo will be offered with a choice of four petrol engines, including two 1.2-liter units producing 70HP and 86HP, a 100HP 1.4-liter and a 115HP 1.6-liter, and for the first time, a 1.3-liter turbo diesel featuring Start/Stop technology that will be available with 75HP or 90HP.

Depending on engine choice, the Aveo is equipped with a 5-speed or 6-speed manual gearbox while Chevrolet's first 6-speed automatic transmission on a small car will be offered on the 1.4 and 1.6 petrol units as an option in most markets.

The 2012MY Aveo will also be available as a sedan model, though Chevrolet did not say if it will make its debut alongside the 5-door hatch in Paris.

Both the 5-door and 4-door body styles of the new Aveo will go on sale across Europe next summer.

Production of the North American versions of the Aveo will take place at GM's Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Michigan starting from 2011 also.