Sonic – Automobiles Review

2017 Chevrolet Sonic : Refinement and Flexibility in a Single Vehicle

2017 Chevrolet Sonic Chevy unveiled the 2017 Sonic: a more expressive, agile and fun-to-drive vehicle that offers tons of additions and utilities as the new MyLink system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, refreshed interior styling and distinctive LED signature lightning.

The refreshed vehicle also offers features as heated steering wheel, standard 7-inch touch screen, Rear Park Assist and tons of optional additions. So, let’s see what else does this sweetie offer.

Exterior styling

2017 Sonic’s agile exterior adopts the same approach as with the Cruze, Blot EV and 2017 Trax. With richer and more detailed elements, the vehicle proudly demonstrates new hood, redesigned front fascia and fresh lightning elements. The projector-beam headlamps are part of the standard features, along with the LED daytime running lights.

And in order to enhance the overall exterior visuals, Chevy team offers distinctive 15-, 16- and 17-inch wheels and four additional colors: Orange Burst Metallic, Brimstone, Cajun Red Tintocat and Arctic Blue Metallic.

Interior styling and utility features

Sonic’s cabin is especially designed to deliver comfort, convenience and ease of using the latest technological gadgets. There is new gauge cluster that incorporates analog speedometer and extended list of standard features as the Keyless Open and Start function, heated cloth seats with heated steering wheel and exclusive offerings for each individual trim level.

Drivetrain system

2017 Chevrolet Sonic

In terms of performance, Sonic comes with 1.8-liter power unit with refined fuel economy and enhanced performance features. This agile engine delivers a total of 138hp (102kW) and is paired to a six-speed automatic or manual gearbox.

Safety features

2017 Sonic also offers tons of safety features as the Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, 10 airbags, Stabilitrac electronic stability system, rearview camera and more.

So, what do you think about the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic? Write down in the comment section.

Source: Chevrolet

March 21, 2016

Chevrolet Sonic Gets Top Safety Rating from IIHS [VIDEO]

Chevy Sonic Side View There is so good news about Chevrolet cars lately. The newest one is that the Sonic model from the 2015 model year just got the Top Safety Pick by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The car actually got ‘Good’ rating in small overlap front crash test, which you can view in the video below.

Customer’s safety is number one priority for the company when building its cars. So it is no surprise that this model has received this designation. The improvements shown in vehicle’s Small Overlap Front Crash Protection Test are because of the changes in the front-end structure, door sill and door pillar.

Just for information, IIHS “good” is the highest possible in each test. What is more, the model got the same rating in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. The result is good ratings across the board in all five IIHS crashworthiness evaluations and of course – the fulfillment of requirements needed to get the Top Safety Pick.

Another interesting fact is that Chevy has made the Sonic the only car in its class to feature 10 standard airbags, including knee one for both driver and front passenger. Additionally, there are sensors throughout the vehicle which decide how many air bags to deploy depending on the crash.

Furthermore, in a case of an accident, car’s body has been designed very strong and to absorb crash energy. The advanced steel body structure further provides protective “safety cage” around occupants.

As an option customers can get the car with two additional safety features, which actively work to avoid crashes. These are the Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning. The first one alerts the driver if the vehicle in the front becomes slower or is suddenly stopping, while the second one alerts drivers in those cases of unintentionally drifting out of the lane.

httpv://youtu.be/Di4lEDNfhBA

Video Source: YouTube

Source: Chevrolet

May 12, 2015

Facelifted 2015 Chevrolet Aveo Debuts In China

2015 Chevrolet Aveo is being currently introduced to China’s market in a hatchback and sedan body styles. The car is known in North America as Sonic model. The refreshed version of the car has an entirely new front end and rear clip, and in fact these enhancements slightly remind us of 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The latter has been also unveiled in China a month ago. The car will be offered in four- and five-door configuration. The hatch will go on sale next month and will be followed shortly by its sedan sibling.

Other enhancements here include the new taillights, which will be specifically designed for the sedan. There is also a new rear bumper with a faux diffuser, as well as brand new eight-spoke alloy wheels. We forgot to mention the new rear lights as well.

The front also includes the two-tier style grille. The trunk has been sculpted in the same manner as the new Cruze. Body-colored side mirrors with integrated turn signals will be probably coming as option. In terms of power, the Chinese Aveo retains the same 1.4-liter DVVT engine coupled with the six-speed manual gearbox. The powerplant delivers up to 97 horsepower (71 kW).

Details and pricing of 2015 Chevrolet Aveo is expected to be announced close to launch.

Source: Chevrolet

May 21, 2014

2014 Chevrolet Sonic RS Added To Lineup

After the unveil of 2013 Chevrolet Sonic Dusk at the SEMA Show in October, Chevrolet is ready to introduce a new sedan in the Sonic lineup – 2014 Chevrolet Sonic RS. The car is performance-inspired and is therefore powered by the Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine.

The unit is capable of producing 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb-ft of torque (200 Nm), and is mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or an automatic one. EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings are 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with the manual transmission.

The car is equipped with a sport-tuned suspension and lowered ride height. One of the most prominent accents in the Sonic RS is the front fascia which includes deep air dam design. What also reinforce the wide and low stance of the car are the vertical intakes at the edges and fog lamps.

The interior is also sport-themed and features aluminum sport pedals, three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrasting stitching and leather-appointed front bucket seats with red RS accents.

2014 Sonic RS sedan will be offered in three color combinations: Black Granite Metallic, Silver Ice Metallic or Summit White, all with Jet Black leather-appointed interiors. In addition, this Sonic version will be the first model in Chevy’s family to offer Siri Eyes Free integration.

Other technology features are the optional BringGo navigation app, which includes 3-D maps with lane suggestions and live traffic data. The model will go on sale in the spring of 2014 and will have a starting price of $20,530 USD.

Source: Chevrolet

November 25, 2013

Chevrolet To Debut Thirteen Vehicles In LA

Exactly thirteen Chevrolet models on display at this 2013 LA Auto Show will be making their first official appearance. It has been announced last week that the brand will premiere the brand new 2015 Colorado on 20th of November at the event.

The vehicle has been designed and constructed in order to be the most versatile and technologically advanced midsize pickup truck in the market. Another first appearance will be made by two new sedans to the Sonic family – the Sonic RS Sedan and the Sonic Dusk.

The latter has even been teased with an image, which you see above, and which clearly shows a new head-light design with probably some innovations on the grill. Both Sonic models offer vehicles with advanced technology and functionality.

Other Chevrolet vehicles making their debut in Los Angeles include the 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe and convertible, SS Performance Sedan, the fuel-efficient Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel, the track-focused Camaro Z28 and the Chevrolet Silverado.

Source: Chevrolet

November 19, 2013

Chevy Sonic Turbo Now With 6-speed Automatic

Good news for those who have always fancied the Cehvy Sonic Turbo but were never too keen about the idea of a stick-shift. The Ecotec 1.4L Sonic will now be available also with an automatic.

“Providing the option of a turbocharged engine to our non-stick driving Chevy customers allows us to offer everyone the thrill and power of a fuel-efficient Ecotec 1.4L powerplant,” said Jim Danahy, vehicle line director and vehicle chief engineer for North American small cars. “Both in the Sonic and Cruze, the engine enables better fuel economy without sacrificing power or performance. It’s really a winning combination.”

Yes, no sacrifice in terms of power, but a skillful person behind the wheel of a manual Sonic Turbo can get from off the line, to 62mph in 7.8 seconds whereas the automatic will make that run for “about” 8.0 and there’s nothing you can do about it. Still, it’s hardly end of the world this issue.

Here’s the funny thing however – most companies nowadays claim that their automatic transmissions return better mpg than manuals even. This is not the story here. The 6-speed automatic is said to deliver an EPA-estimated economy of 37 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city. The manual fares a little bit better than that: 40 mpg highway and 29 mpg urban.

Nevertheless, all is a small price to pay for the benefits of an automatic gearbox – convenience and comfort.

2012 Hydra-Matic 6T40 (MH8) transmission unit

Source: Chevrolet

March 23, 2012

Chevrolet Sonic RS 2013

NAIAS, year 2010 – Chevrolet showed that they too want to be taken seriously in the hot hatch world with their, then concept, Sonic RS. Well, now that concept is a reality and it will be revealed at the 2012 NAIAS with production starting near the end of the same year. To set itself apart from its standard counterparts, the RS has employed some distinguishing alterations which start at the exterior and reach all the way under the hood.

Available solely with five doors, the Sonic RS is undoubtedly dressed to impress. The front, racing styled fascia is patched on both ends with typical RS inlets which in turn have redesigned fog lights nestled in them. The front grille is also in a specific RS honeycomb design and new rocker moldings are applied as well. At the back new fascia, new spoiler and chromed outlets of the already tuned exhaust system give the Sonic a new character. For an overall look, Chevrolet have put on RS badges here and there along with four conspicuous 17-inch five spoke styled wheels. The paint finishes will be available in Victory Red, Summit White, Cyber Gray Metallic and Black Granite Metallic depending on customer preference.

Inside the RS symptoms continue as we make ourselves comfortable in the black leather sport seats with red stitching all around. A specially designed steering wheel with a thicker rim and a flat bottom feels nice to the touch. Strange and futuristic instrument clusters, which can only be found in the RS, flash back at you. The gear stick is freshly styled while the pedals are made from aluminum.

IT enthusiasts will be glad to know that Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system comes as standard. It is a seven-inch color touch screen radio which can be connected to various smart phones via Bluetooth in order to access Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio. Navigation directions, originally downloaded on the user’s smart phones can be displayed on that screen. Other forms of multimedia (like photos and videos) will also be available to display provided that the car is not in motion.

There are high hopes for the RS’s performance as this will be the first car in its segment to employ a turbocharged powertrain. It is an Ecotec 1.4l engine that develops 138 units of horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm). Chevrolet say this power will be available trough the whole range of the rev. counter so even at low rounds per minute the sporty presence should be preserved. The gearbox is be a six-speed manual which comes as standard while a six-speed automatic is optional.

There are some technological advances dedicated to handle the newfound power as well. The front wheels are attached to a MacPherson strut suspension with coil springs and a stabilizer bar while at the back we have a semi-independent, torsion beam axle-mount compound, link-type rear suspension – including a robust, tubular V-shape beam – with gas-charged shocks. Both, the front track and the back one are identical when it comes to width – 59.4 inches (1,509 mm) aimed to achieve a good planted stance and stability. Being an RS version, the car also has a set of four disk brakes complete with a four channel ABS system. It also has a clever nervous system in the form of four load sensors (one on each wheel) which take into account the road conditions and the weight of passengers and cargo so that the braking force is distributed more evenly and efficiently.

All and all it has been a long wait and now we’ll have to wait even more to see if it was worth it.

Source: Chevrolet

December 19, 2011

Chevrolet Sonic Super 4 Concept

Chevrolet has unveiled the Sonic Super 4 at the 2011 SEMA Show. The vehicle is a race car concept that demonstrates Chevrolet’s new small car performance potential. The Sonic Super 4 joins other Chevy performance cars this week in the Chevrolet display at the SEMA Show.

“This is an exciting example of Chevrolet’s small-car performance capability,”, commented Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president, Performance Vehicles and Motorsports.

“Sonic has the soul and specifications to be a winner.”, he added.

Sonic measures 2 525 mm – wheelbase, 1 509 mm – front and rear tracks. Its body-frame-integral structure ranks among the stiffest in the global small-car segment, with some of the steel in it delivering tensile strength of 145 000 psi (1 000 MPa) or higher.

The Sonic Super 4 concept features a suspension modified for racing and a lower restriction intake and exhaust system to provide enhanced on-track performance. The interior comes with a chrome moly roll cage built to SCCA specifications, as well as other safety equipment. It looks the part, too, with a lowered stance and 18” racing wheels and tires. It also wears Chevrolet Z-Spec concept accessories, including ground effects and a high-wing spoiler.

Chevrolet Sonic Super 4 Concept:

Exterior

Chevrolet racing graphics
Carbon fiber lower splitter
Carbon fiber rocker panel extensions
Carbon fiber rear diffuser
Tinted headlamps and taillights
Concept Z-Spec high wing rear spoiler
Tow hooks
18×7.5-inch satin black wheels with street-legal racing tires

Interior

SCCA-approved 1¾ -inch chrome moly roll cage
SCCA-approved inner and outer window nets
Z-Spec pedal kit
Racing instrumentation
Racing seat with five-point harness
Fire suppression system
Rearview camera system
Racing steering wheel with quick disconnect

Performance

Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine and six-speed manual transmission
Adjustable coil-over struts and spring kit
Performance brakes: four-piston front calipers with two-piece drilled rotors, front; and two-piston rear calipers with one-piece drilled rotors, rear
Low-restriction air intake and filter
Two-inch cat-back straight-pipe exhaust

Source: Chevrolet

November 3, 2011

Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec Concepts

Chevrolet will exhibit several small cars at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show. Pimped Sonics and Cruzes will show off the personalization possibilities for a new generation of performance enthusiasts.

“The heritage of Chevrolet cars like the Corvette and Camaro is being expressed in smaller packages for the next generation,” said Chris Perry, vice president, global marketing and strategy for Chevrolet.

“The Sonic and Cruze concepts demonstrate that performance comes in all shapes, sizes and displacements at Chevrolet.”, he added.

Four Sonic models will be exhibited at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show – Sonic Z-Spec #1, Sonic Z-Spec #2, Sonic Z-Spec 4D and Sonic Dusk. The will be accompanied by two Cruzes – Cruze Z-Spec and Cruze Dusk.

You can check the full details for all cars, below!

Full details:

Sonic Z-Spec #1 – Designers took a turbocharged Sonic five-door and dressed it with concept Z-Spec accessories. They added Z-Spec ground effects, a spoiler, unique grille and graphics package – then finished it off with a Torch Red exterior and Z-Spec concept 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Cobalt Red cabin features custom trim, including perforated black suede seat inserts, a Z-Spec sport pedal kit, sport shift knob and a racing-style flat-bottom steering wheel. Additional upgrades include performance brakes with four-piston calipers, a new high-flow exhaust system and performance suspension parts.

Sonic Z-Spec #2 – The next Sonic concept – in Flat White with Torch Red accents – builds on concept Z-Spec accessories with a more aggressive ground effects package, unique grille, rear spoiler and graphics package. It rides on Z-Spec concept 18-inch wheels and also includes a re-trimmed interior with Z-Spec sport pedal kit, Z-Spec sport shift knob and a flat-bottom steering wheel. It also features custom racing seats with the Z-Spec logo. The factory powertrain features the 1.4L turbo engine and six-speed manual transmission. Performance upgrades include brakes with four-piston calipers, a high-flow exhaust system and suspension parts.

Sonic Z-Spec 4D Concept – The more formal look of the Sonic sedan lends itself to a touring car-style motif, which this Ashen Grey Metallic concept picks up with concept Z-Spec ground effects, rear spoiler, grille, “Chevrolet” graphics and larger Z-Spec concept 18-inch wheels. As with its five-door counterparts, this Sonic features a re-trimmed interior – in Dark Titanium with Cobalt Red accents – Z-Spec sport pedal kit, aluminum sport shift knob and a flat-bottom steering wheel (trimmed with Cobalt Red suede). The factory turbo 1.4L engine and six-speed manual transmission are complemented by performance upgrades that include four-piston caliper brakes, a high-flow exhaust system and suspension parts.

Sonic Dusk – The most subtle of the Sonic concepts is the Dusk. It features a Berlin Blue exterior, with a mild concept ground effects package, unique grille treatment and 18-inch concept wheels in dark Galvano Silver. Even the lights are tinted blue for a sophisticated statement. The Mojave leather interior has custom seat inserts, Z-Spec shift knob with satin chrome trim, Z-Spec sport pedals and accessory interior trim kit. The Sonic Dusk also features a suede-trimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel, custom audio system and brake and suspension upgrades.

Cruze Z-Spec – Wearing concept Z-Spec ground effects, 18-inch custom wheels, an accessory spoiler and a high-flow grille, the Cruze Z-Spec has the looks and feel of a taut touring car. The exterior appearance of this Cruze is enhanced with a new stripe package that will be available soon, while on the inside are special seat inserts, a racing-style pedal kit, accessory shift knob and interior trim, as well as a new steering wheel.

Cruze Dusk – Complementing the Sonic Dusk concept, the Cruze Dusk suggests a more subtle and sophisticated approach to personalization, including a mild concept ground effects package, a unique grille treatment and dark-tinted wheels. The interior has custom seat inserts, along with an accessory shift knob, sport pedals, interior trim kit, a suede-trimmed steering wheel and a custom audio system.

Source: Chevrolet

October 25, 2011

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec

After the premiere of the Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec Concept at the North American International Auto Show earlier that year, Chevrolet is now demonstrating the first series Z-Spec accessorized 2012 Sonic rides, which are scheduled for market launch this fall. (more…)

April 15, 2011

Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec Concept

Sonic Concept is one of the latest project of Chevrolet. The vehicle will be on display at the North American International Auto Show for the next two weeks. It is finished in matte black and orange and definitely grabs your attention.

The mirror caps, trim around the radiator, the rear spoiler and a racing stripe are in glossy orange as well as the BBS alloy racing wheels. (more…)

January 10, 2011

Tag: Sonic

Exterior styling

Interior styling and utility features

Drivetrain system

Safety features