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Image credits: © Chevrolet. GM Corp
2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS news, pictures, and information | ||
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Turbocharged 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS Pushes Performance
Únique exterior and interior styling, sport-tuned suspension and standard MyLinkA 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 wîth unique exterior and interior features matched wîth a 138-horsepower (103 kW) Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine. Sonic is the only vehicle in its §egmènt 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 wîth 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 wîth new fog lamp design
• New RS-specific grille
• New rear fascia• New rear spoiler
 | Vital Stats |
| Engine : 1.4 L., 4-cylinder Power: 138 hp Torque: 147 ft-lbs | |
6-speed Manual, 6-speed Automatic | |
• Únique mirror cap finish• Retuned sport exhaust wîth chrome outlet
• Únique 17-inch five-spoke wheel design
• Lowered and stiffened suspension wîth 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 §egmènt,' 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 §teering wheel wîth 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 §teering wheel is a feature driving enthusiasts will truly appreciate.'
The Sonic RS's interior is a connected environment, wîth 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. (posted on conceptcarz.com) 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 wîth a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic.
Únique 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 §egmènt-exclusive turbocharged powertrain is MacPherson strut front suspension wîth 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 – wîth 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 wîth four-wheel disc brakes, which are partnered wîth 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 §teering is standard and features a wear compensator that continually adjusts the system interaction wîth the §teering gear to ensure precise §teering 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, wîth 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 wîth five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions
• Standard electric power §teering and StabiliTrak electronic stability control wîth 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 wîth six months of Turn-by-Turn navigation. (posted on conceptcarz.com) Available features include XM Satellite Radio, ÚSB and Bluetooth functionality and MyChevrolet mobile application
• Remote start, heated front seats and sunroof – all rarities in the §egmènt
• Ten standard air bags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and OnStar wîth 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.Source - Chevrolet
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| 2012 Sonic | 2012 Sonic Z-Spec Concept | 2012 Sonic Z-Spec Accessories | 2014 Sonic |
