DETROIT — Chevrolet unleashed the Aveo RS ahead of its world debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, saying the showcar hints at the next-generation Aveo, with bigger proportions and a nod to motorcycle enthusiasts.
The Aveo RS is longer and wider than the current production Aveo and features such design cues as an integrated roof spoiler and exposed headlights and rear taillights that are motorcycle inspired, said Chevrolet.
The five-passenger subcompact is powered by a 138-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine linked to a six-speed manual transmission. The engine is the same one that will be available in the Chevrolet Cruze and provides a 30-hp bump over the base 2010 Chevrolet Aveo production model.
The showcar has 19-inch wheels and tires, considerably bigger than the 14- and 15-inch versions on the 2010 production Aveo.
There are plenty of showy touches on the Aveo RS, including a special engine cover in graphite silver with a brushed aluminum insert and coolant and power steering fluid fill caps rimmed in ice blue.
"We hope the Aveo RS showcar will demonstrate that we are as serious about redefining the Aveo and its place in the small-car segment as we were about reinventing the [Chevrolet] Malibu," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager, in a statement.
Chevy said that many of the personalization options on the Aveo RS will be "potentially available" on the next-generation car.
Inside Line says: A look at the next-generation Chevrolet Aveo, courtesy of the intriguing Aveo RS. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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charlesb says:
10:19 PM, 01/09/2010
Unleashed, huh?
They could put that back on the chain indefinitely, as far as I'm concerned. It looks like a tarted up econobox.
icecubefosho says:
07:45 PM, 01/09/2010
@cuhulin
You do realize that your new car purchase goes to the dealership moreso than the pockets of an American designer, executive, and so forth? Your money gives the dealership money to pay their workers who, since they live in America, are Americans, then they can use that to purchase new fleets from the original manufacturer. More of your money goes to the dealership's workers and mechanics, than the company itself.
felonious says:
09:14 AM, 01/08/2010
The concept looks interesting, but it'll probably get watered down in production trim. Thank goodness they didn't rip off the styling of the new Fiesta! Oh, wait...
eyyop1 says:
05:27 AM, 01/08/2010
rodger12
You do realize this Aveo is based on a South Korean car right? You should lump it in with your fugly clown list.
hillcm says:
01:08 AM, 01/08/2010
What an awesome looking car. It has a great exterior design, the interior looks nice, and it is powered by an engine which actually has power.
I am not very hopeful that this engine will make it into final production, however. At least not immediately.
I will be in the market for a new car in 1-2 years. I will definitely add this to my list if it retains its appeal. However, it will take a lot to lure me from the MyFord technology in the new Focus. Sure, I've never seen the car, but the new MyFord technology screams "Geeks Dream" to me.
Still, this Aveo looks amazing. I never thought I would be saying that.
cuhulin says:
11:46 PM, 01/07/2010
icecube:
I support the American salesperson for whatever car I buy, and if Americans bought American cars in the parochial manner that Japanese or German or Korean buyers do, there would be more American salespersons for those cars and less for the foreigners, so the question of which car to buy is not about the salesperson.
You make a decent point that SOME Hondas and other foreign company cars are made in the USA, so buying those may not be a bad plan.
However, in the overwhelming number of cases, the designers are not American, the engineers are not American, the executives are not American, and the cars from these companies are imported.
Rationalize all you want, but it doesn't take "re-education" to realize the importance of buying from American companies when they develop a quality product, as most of the newer Big 3 cars are these days.
On the other hand, it doesn't take much to realize that Toyota quality is now a matter of past history, so there isn't much reason to buy from them.
icecubefosho says:
10:55 PM, 01/07/2010
@rodger12
Don't you realize by purchasing a Japanese or whatever vehicle in America, you are supporting that salesman's salary and his family... His AMERICAN salary and family. On top of that, Honda has facilities in America, Nissan has facilities in America, Toyota has facilities in America. Get re-educated before you make statements that make you seem more patriotic.