2012 Chevrolet Sonic launch and quick review
Is it time we all got wired for sound?
By Shahzad Sheikh and Zlatko Mulabegovic
A handful of days before Toyota introduced the all-new Yaris into the region (report coming), Chevrolet introduced potentially a key new rival to the Japanese bestseller. Both cars are small city runabouts – although the Sonic is available as a saloon as well as a hatchback, whilst Yaris will just be a hatch this time, will come with a 1.6-litre engine compared to the 1.3 in the Yaris, and with prices starting well below the Yaris (AED 43k-57k versus AED 51k-56k).
But back to the Sonic – a successor the Aveo (which it will still be known as in some markets) and features sharp Euro-style lines especially in hatch form, despite its Korean (Daewoo) origins.
The interior is said to be inspired by the Chevrolet Corvette, we’re not so sure about that claim, but it is rather funky, with a unique instrument cluster featuring one huge round speedometer and a digital LCD readout for everything else in a very unconventional layout. It looks cool.
It has a 115bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder is good for 186kph and 0-100kph in 11.3 seconds. It’s available with a six-speed automatic or a five-speed manual gearbox. Fuel consumption is 7.2L/100km for the auto dropping to 6.6L/100km for the manual.
Ride and handling should be aided by McPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar, and a torsion beam axle-mount compound link-type rear suspension. The LT comes with four airbags as standard with ABS and brake assist.
Features include two glove boxes with outlets for USB and iPods plus two types of radios with four or six speakers and steering wheel-mounted remote available. There’s Bluetooth connectivity for phone and your music devices. There’s a/c with pollution filters and cruise control.
Zlatko Mulabegovic attended the launch, and here are his first impressions of the new Sonic:
– Attractive looking hatchback with the right proportions and dynamic feel to it, both the nose and hatch well designed
– Restyled interior with quality materials, plenty of storage space
– 6 speed auto introduced with gearing that promises not only frugality but some fun too
– Best equipped car in class, great multimedia options
– Most powerful 1.6 engine in its class
– The sedan is a typical rental special, less inspiring but with the same good options
