Chevy Unviles New Subcompact Sonic in Detroit

In brief: Chevrolet unveiled the new subcompact 2012 Sonic (an Americanized Aveo) at the Detroit show (NAIAS) this week.

Vehicle in the news

Make/Model: 2012 Sonic
Manufacturer: Chevrolet

The word

Chevrolet displayed their Sonic at the North American International Auto Show. The 2012 Sonic is an Americanized version of the subcompact Aveo sold in Europe. The small sedan will be available as a 4-door or a 5-door hatchback.

The Sonic offers an Ecotec 1.4L turbo gasoline engine in it that rates 138hp. This engine also appears in the Cruze, a much larger car. The standard engine is a 1.8L.

The 1.4L turbo will push the car quickly with its 148lb-ft (200Nm) of torque. The engine is unhindered by power steering drag, as Chevy has elected to include electronic power steering.

No mileage estimates are available yet, but they will likely be very good and in the 40+mpg (highway) range for the Ecotec engine.

And so ...

The Sonic will begin production later this year and be offered as a 2012 model.

Photo credits: Chevrolet