GMI Eye On Design: Chevrolet Sonic vs Chevrolet Aveo
After GMI broke the story first, Chevy finally shows us its Sonic Subcompact
December 10th, 2010
www.gminsidenews.com
by: Alexander Villani
![Image]()
![Image]()
We first broke the news to everyone that the Aveo nameplate would be replaced with the Sonic name on Tuesday. Thursday, it was confirmed by Chevrolet that the Sonic was indeed the new name for Chevy's sub-compact car. Upon first glance, the Sonic looks very similar to the Aveo RS concept we saw in Detroit, a car that was welcomed with a great reaction here on GMI. When Aveo was then displayed as a production model, it lost some of the sharp lines and a lot of the bold look of the concept. The Sonic brings back all of the bold themes of the Aveo RS concept, ditching the boring lines of the production Aveo.
Most of the revised body work seems to have been in the rear. Starting with a stronger line down the center of the car (1), that merges in with the heavy creases that act almost as a hood over the tail lights. The rear doors also seem to receive a tighter look, with the black trim coming to a sharp point over the smoother look from the Aveo (4). Gone is the lower chrome treatment highlighting the windows (5), that was shown in both the Aveo concept and Aveo production car. The brightwork is something that should have been kept from the Aveo concept. Bob Lutz liked it, and I think it is a good idea to stick with it.
The tail lights also receive a redesign for production (3), with the top light being a solid tail lamp, while the reverse light looks to be moved down to the rear barrel, and the turn signals are moved to its own pod on the outside of the tail light assembly. The biggest change is the wrap around rear glass (2), giving the C pillar a swept back look, adding more visual speed to the car. The biggest and boldest change to the car is bringing back the C pillar of the Aveo RS concept. The Aveo production car had a very upright C pillar, and visually destroys the look of that car. One thing that I am very happy to see, is that the hidden rear door handles are still there! This look gives the illusion of a three door hatchback.
Overall, the Sonic looks sharper, bolder, and much more aggressive than the Aveo production car, giving the Aveo RS concept car a chance to hit the showrooms as it should have been. This car will give Chevy a car to do battle with the likes of the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, and the new Ford Fiesta. The Chevrolet Sonic will most likely debut at Detroit to show off more of its new bold lines. So with a quick revision for production, Chevrolet relaunches a new hot hatch (and sedan) into what is turning out to be a very hotly contested segment in a growing market. Sonic also shares a lot of its body lines with its even smaller sibling, the Spark. The two of these cars, combined with the Cruze, make up a strong list of compact cars that are not willing to give up style and features because of their size or segment. When, not if, gas prices start to go up, Chevrolet will be there to offer a large spread of fuel efficient vehicles Only this time around they will not look like afterthoughts or cause you to hide your face when driving them.
![Image]()
![Image]()
After GMI broke the story first, Chevy finally shows us its Sonic Subcompact
December 10th, 2010
www.gminsidenews.com
by: Alexander Villani
We first broke the news to everyone that the Aveo nameplate would be replaced with the Sonic name on Tuesday. Thursday, it was confirmed by Chevrolet that the Sonic was indeed the new name for Chevy's sub-compact car. Upon first glance, the Sonic looks very similar to the Aveo RS concept we saw in Detroit, a car that was welcomed with a great reaction here on GMI. When Aveo was then displayed as a production model, it lost some of the sharp lines and a lot of the bold look of the concept. The Sonic brings back all of the bold themes of the Aveo RS concept, ditching the boring lines of the production Aveo.
Most of the revised body work seems to have been in the rear. Starting with a stronger line down the center of the car (1), that merges in with the heavy creases that act almost as a hood over the tail lights. The rear doors also seem to receive a tighter look, with the black trim coming to a sharp point over the smoother look from the Aveo (4). Gone is the lower chrome treatment highlighting the windows (5), that was shown in both the Aveo concept and Aveo production car. The brightwork is something that should have been kept from the Aveo concept. Bob Lutz liked it, and I think it is a good idea to stick with it.
The tail lights also receive a redesign for production (3), with the top light being a solid tail lamp, while the reverse light looks to be moved down to the rear barrel, and the turn signals are moved to its own pod on the outside of the tail light assembly. The biggest change is the wrap around rear glass (2), giving the C pillar a swept back look, adding more visual speed to the car. The biggest and boldest change to the car is bringing back the C pillar of the Aveo RS concept. The Aveo production car had a very upright C pillar, and visually destroys the look of that car. One thing that I am very happy to see, is that the hidden rear door handles are still there! This look gives the illusion of a three door hatchback.
Overall, the Sonic looks sharper, bolder, and much more aggressive than the Aveo production car, giving the Aveo RS concept car a chance to hit the showrooms as it should have been. This car will give Chevy a car to do battle with the likes of the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, and the new Ford Fiesta. The Chevrolet Sonic will most likely debut at Detroit to show off more of its new bold lines. So with a quick revision for production, Chevrolet relaunches a new hot hatch (and sedan) into what is turning out to be a very hotly contested segment in a growing market. Sonic also shares a lot of its body lines with its even smaller sibling, the Spark. The two of these cars, combined with the Cruze, make up a strong list of compact cars that are not willing to give up style and features because of their size or segment. When, not if, gas prices start to go up, Chevrolet will be there to offer a large spread of fuel efficient vehicles Only this time around they will not look like afterthoughts or cause you to hide your face when driving them.
Can't wait to see the front and the changes there. Hopefully it's as amazing as the rest of the car.
