Sonic Z Spec concept & other Sonic info

More from the Detroit auto show. Apparently the corvette engineers have had a hand in developing the Sonic's suspension which is some good marketing talk.

Also, bad news for those hoping to swap turboes / manifolds. This makes it a bit more difficult to do.

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The 1.4L's turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold, for reduced weight and greater packaging flexibility in small vehicles.

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Detroit 2011: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is not an Aveo - Autoblog


They have also released a "Sonic Z Spec" concept car. Although there is no info on what is actually different about this vs the normal cars.

2012 Chevy Sonic shown off as sedan and hatchback - Autoblog

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog....-z-detroit.jpg

looks like the ebay edition.

2011 seems to be the year of brown.

I thought we left brown behind in the 70's. I kind of wish we did, anyway.

its a depression era color. historically speaking.

The Sonic isn't really going to be as great as some people would think. They're putting the 1.8 engine as standard, and that engine has been criticized for being a gas hog. The Sonic weighs over 2600 lbs, and still only has a 5 speed manual. The tall gearing of the manual, the heavy weight, and a bigger gas guzzling engine will kill it's fuel economy.

Where are you getting the weight info (link)? The official specs released by GM don't include weight.

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Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Where are you getting the weight info (link)? The official specs released by GM don't include weight.

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http://www.leftlanenews.com/chevrolet-sonic-sedan.html

It says it is about 500 lbs lighter than the Cruze (3102 lbs from Chevrolet.com). And that is the Cruze with the 1.4 .

OK, so leftlanenews is guessing. It's probably in the neighbourhood though.

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Originally Posted by Aveeo

The Sonic isn't really going to be as great as some people would think. They're putting the 1.8 engine as standard, and that engine has been criticized for being a gas hog. The Sonic weighs over 2600 lbs, and still only has a 5 speed manual. The tall gearing of the manual, the heavy weight, and a bigger gas guzzling engine will kill it's fuel economy.

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So what did you expect from Chevy? That's their idea of what will sell cars.

I wonder why they named it the "Sonic"? Will it break the sound barrier? Or does it go "BOOM"? :rolleyes:

That color scheme is hideous..however even if the turbo is part of the manifold the only issues would be space/fitment..and I feel like fitment wont be an issue assuming the 1.4 and 1.6 are virtually identical from what I've read

Did anyone else notice they put that spoiler on top of the other spoiler? or is it just an optical illusion of some sort?

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Originally Posted by Ratchet104

That color scheme is hideous..

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Ratchet you are too kind. I remember growing up in that era and just remember all the cars and planes in that color. My father worked at IBM and years later in the 90's I got a job there and if I will be damned. The cheap bastards still had conference rooms in those lovely browns, oranges and yellows. So Ratchet when you say that color scheme is hideous you are far too kind.

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Originally Posted by Ratchet104

That color scheme is hideous..however even if the turbo is part of the manifold the only issues would be space/fitment..and I feel like fitment wont be an issue assuming the 1.4 and 1.6 are virtually identical from what I've read

Did anyone else notice they put that spoiler on top of the other spoiler? or is it just an optical illusion of some sort?

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I agree with what xintersecty said. That was putting it nicely. I have some choice words for that kind of paint job/layout, but I don't think I need to go there.

I didn't notice the spoilers until I read what you typed. It looks like they did. With my preferences, I'd probably have that top one removed. I wouldn't care about the other one if it came with the car or not. But I'd keep that one if I got it on my car.

the funny thing is, that color looks like it is just black metallic, but with the wheels and lighting etc it comes off as brown.

that car is definitely on a little white (or brown) grain diet.

Did anyone else notice they put that spoiler on top of the other spoiler? or is it just an optical illusion of some sort? Y did not see that. Why would do that? They need to hire some one that knows how to hook up the AVEO. Them colors SUCK!

Yea i think they did put 2 spoilers on it. However the way they designed the car looks like the bottom spoiler doesnt stick out too much. I dont think it looks that bad. Thats just my opinion but i would probably buy a Z-spec if it looked like that. Or maybe chevy just wants all model hatchbacks to come with the bottom spoiler.

"z" designation used to mean a bigger/better engine to go with those graphics.. not colorful wheels.

Pacer x was my sisters first car. That thing was fast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEGcnj-oqo0

The "brown" metallic or deep charcoal metallic or whatever shade it is under whatever lighting doesn't bother me in the slightest. In fact, I like that aspect. It's the Micheal Meyers Halloween orange on the wheels, the spoiler ( in the true sense of the word describing what it does to this car's looks ) and the stripe all of which look horrid. They have accurately captured the horrendous style of some street customizers though, maybe that is a demographic they intended to "appeal" to- hilarious!

Steve

Here's a link to the Z car:2012 Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec Concept picture: 388677 - Top Speed
Check out all the photos and details listed in the text. the semi- 3/4 view in the above link doesn't accentuate the front-end length and complements the silhouette. Something that has bothered me since looking at last year's photos of the Aveo version of a Z concept- the thickness of the C pillar area. I can see why. Yes the steel C pillar behind the rear door frame is thicker on the production Sonic/Aveo- but what really makes it look like a "safety car" is how the rear integral spoiler ( not the monstrous wing attached atop it in the Z Sonic photos ) wraps around the sides of the rear hatch glass. Either reverting to the earlier 2008-2009 spoiler that stops at the top edge of the hatch glass ( see the photo two posts above this ) or severely trimming the sides of the new "wrap-around" spoiler would definitely
reduce the "Brinks Security" look in this area. Playing around with the matte black and car color proportions on the door frames, and particularly where the rear door latch is would address the "heaviness" one can see as compared to the razor sharp dimensions on the blue Aveo concept car.

Opinions? Facts?

Steve