Chevy’s growing expertise in developing high-quality small cars that people love to drive will expand yet further in January, when the brand introduces the new 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS. Engineered to be a true enthusiast’s car—and packing an enthusiastic turbocharged I4 engine—the Sonic RS will make its public debut in Detroit next month at the North American International Auto Show. Which makes sense, since the sharp new Chevy is based on the Aveo RS concept that debuted at the Detroit auto show last year.“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.”
Putting the exclamation point on that statement: A powertrain that truly lives up to its name. The forced-induction four-cylinder engine in the Sonic RS will be the only turbo in its segment, and it brings along a healthy 138 hp and 148 lb.-ft. of torque. Then, to get the most out of those ponies, Chevy offers two six-speed transmissions specifically engineered for the Sonic RS. The standard manual unit has all-new gear ratios as compared to the cog-swapper from the “regular” Sonic, while the available automatic transmission gains a unique final drive ratio.
To put that power on a solid footing, the Sonic RS wears a lowered, stiffened suspension with a MacPherson-strut design for the front, accented by coil springs and a stabilizer bar; that setup is then backed up by a semi-independent, torsion-beam compound link-type rear suspension with gas-charged shocks. Performance-tuned dampers are in the mix as well, as are four-wheel disc brakes featuring a four-channel anti-lock braking system—and electronic brake-force distribution.The Sonic RS also boasts a full complement of style enhancers, inside and out, including:
- A full body kit with new front fascia, grille, rear fascia, rear spoiler and rocker moldings
- Redesigned fog lamps
- A retuned and chrome-tipped exhaust system
- Model-specific 17-inch five-spoke wheels
- Plenty of RS badging
- Front sport seats
- A racing-inspired, flat-bottomed sport steering wheel
- Aluminum sport pedals
- RS-only instrument panel graphics
- A sport gearshift knob on manually transmissioned models
- Unique interior trim colors and four bold exterior shades—Victory Red,
- Summit White, Cyber Gray Metallic and Black Granite Metallic
“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 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS is scheduled to go on sale later next year and will be built here in this country at GM’s Orion Assembly Center in Michigan.
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