Unveiled Officially: 2011 Chevrolet Aveo/Sonic Sedan and Hatchback

2012 Chevrolet Aveo/Sonic Sedan

The Chevrolet Aveo, pretty long in the tooth now desperately needs a facelift. The Aveo U-VA too is another spacious and practical hatchback that simply is struggling to find any takers in the Indian car market. With both these models languishing at the very bottom of their respective segments, GM India has thus been unable to make any inroads in the B+ Hatchback and the C Segment sedan markets.

2012 Chevrolet Aveo/Sonic Hatchback

In what could greatly change the fortunes of General Motors India, it’s parent, General Motors, today, at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show unveiled both the sedan and the hatchback version of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, which is set to replace the Aveo. On first glance, both the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Sedan and the Hatchback versions show a major stylistic upgrade. Gone are the plain jane vanilla looks to be replaced by the butch edgy styling, which for some time now, has been GM’s latest styling philosophy.

2012 Chevrolet Aveo/Sonic Sedan

Add to this, some stylish class leading interiors with some well designed contemporary instrumentation, you have a contemporary sedan that is miles ahead of the older Aveo. The Hatchback, too, in similar vein looks butch and just like the sedan is a major departure from the now very dated U-VA. Though GM India is playing it’s cards close to the chest, we’re pretty sure about the Aveo/Sonic Sedan making it to Indian shores shortly as they simply need the car if they have any hope of selling something at least.

2012 Chevrolet Aveo/Sonic Hatchback

Coming to the all important factor, the stuff beneath the hood. The 2012 Sonic is set to feature the highly acclaimed 1.4 Liter EcoTec turbo petrol that while being frugal, also manages to produce a class leading 138 Bhp of shove and 200 Nm of twist. This brilliant engine and the superlative power-economy figures might not be what we Indians will get in the Indian 2012 Sonic/Aveo, but going by GM USA’s strategy of pitching the Sonic Sedan straight at the 2011 Ford Fiesta Sedan by claiming more power and more economy as selling points, we’re still hopeful that the 1.4 Liter Ecotec Turbo Petrol, albeit in detuned guise, for will make it to Indian shores.

2012 Chevrolet Aveo/Sonic Sedan

We hope that the Indian version of the 2012 Aveo/Sonic Sedan gets a good common rail diesel motor in addition to petrol engine options. Similarly, the 2012 Sonic Hatchback’s Indian variant may feature both a petrol and diesel engine option. Now, if only the folks at GM India could bring in these wonderful looking cars to India quickly and at a price that is very competitive at about INR 5-6 Lakhs and INR 8-10 Lakhs respectively.