We’ve grown fond of the appearance of the Chevy Sonic. Its exposed head-lamps and tail-lamps add a touch of uniqueness, as does the vehicle’s motorcycle-inspired instrument panel. But some would cry out that the Sonic simply does not look aggressive enough. As it turns out, Chevy’s product development team was listening, and have decided to reveal an RS version of the Sonic online. Like the RS variants of the larger Cruze and Camaro, the Sonic RS will feature meaner looks that suggest performance — though no major performance upgrades have been announced besides sportier gearing and new rear disc brakes, rather than drums.
The Sonic RS brings to the table several exterior tweaks, with the most obvious being a revised fog lamp design very reminiscent of the original Aveo RS Concept that made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show two years ago. There’s also a new sport-tuned exhaust in the back, unique 17-inch wheels, and a tweaked rear fascia.
The interior of Chevy’s mighty mouse boasts sportier front seats, a new flat-bottom steering wheel, a unique shift knob for manual transmission models, along with aluminum pedals. There’s also unique instrument cluster graphics specific. Oh, and Chevy MyLink will come standard. Ballin’.
Consumers will only be able to get the RS package with the Sonic’s 1.4L turbocharged Ecotec engine, which pushes out 138 horsepower. Now, how about one with a 210 horsepower turbocharged 1.6L that graces the Opel Corsa OPC? It’s on our Christmas wish list. And is there perhaps an Eco model on the way as well?
DETROIT – A hotter Chevrolet Sonic is about to sound off – the 2013 Sonic RS. It goes on sale in late 2012, after making its public debut at the North American International Auto Show Jan. 14-22.
The new RS amplifies the Sonic’s youthful style and driving experience with unique exterior and interior features matched with a 138-horsepower (103 kW) Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine. Sonic is the only vehicle in its segment to offer a turbocharged powertrain.
“The new Chevrolet Sonic RS pushes Chevrolet’s performance heritage in a new direction, for a new generation of drivers,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing. “It takes the Sonic’s great design and latest connectivity features and combines them with a more performance-oriented look and feel.”
The Sonic RS is offered exclusively in the five-door body style. Chevrolet’s exclusive MyLink infotainment system is standard. It enables navigation directions downloaded through a smart phone to be shown on the radio’s large display, and offers the personalized connectivity of Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio.
Sonic RS exterior features
- New front fascia with new fog lamp design
- New RS-specific grille
- New rear fascia
- New rear spoiler
- New rocker moldings
- Unique mirror cap finish
- Retuned sport exhaust with chrome outlet
- Unique 17-inch five-spoke wheel design
- Lowered and stiffened suspension with performance-tuned dampers
- RS badging.
The more-aggressive look of the Sonic RS is inspired by the concept that debuted in Detroit in 2010. The Sonic RS will be available in Victory Red, Summit White, Cyber Gray Metallic and Black Granite Metallic, which is a new exterior color for the 2013 Sonic.
“The Sonic RS remains true to the progressive spirit of the concept and brings an unmistakable attitude to the segment,” said John Mack, design director for the Sonic. “From every angle and every touch point, it is a car that is unabashed in its performance statement – and one that drives Chevrolet’s performance legacy into its second century.”
One of the most-dramatic cues from the concept carried into the production model is the Sonic RS’s front fascia, which has a deep air dam design that enhances the car’s road-hugging stance. Vertical intakes at the edges of the fascia reinforce the wide, low proportion and house the fog lamps.
Sonic RS interior features
- New front sport seats
- New sport steering wheel with thicker rim and racing-inspired flat-bottom design
- New shifter knob (manual transmission)
- New aluminum sport pedals
- Specific instrument panel cluster graphics
- RS-specific interior trim color for the instrument panel and door trim inserts.
“Like the exterior, the Sonic RS’s interior looks and feels the part of a true performance car,” said Mack. “The seats are firm and provide great lateral support during quick cornering and the feel of the thick, flat-bottom steering wheel is a feature driving enthusiasts will truly appreciate.”
The Sonic RS’s interior is a connected environment, with the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment seven-inch color touch screen radio. This system allows customers to bring customized music libraries into the vehicle and use their smart phones and Bluetooth connectivity to access Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio and navigation. Navigation directions downloaded through a smart phone can be displayed on the screen and, when the vehicle is stopped, users can project video and even personal photo albums onto the screen from their phone.
Sonic RS performance
The Sonic RS is powered by a standard Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine that is rated at 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) – and provides an immediate feeling of power that is sustained across the rpm band, for a greater feeling of performance at lower rpm. It’s matched with a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic.
Unique gear ratios for the six-speed manual transmission and unique final drive ratio for the automatic give the Sonic RS a sportier feel than non-RS models.
Complementing the segment-exclusive turbocharged powertrain is MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar, and a semi-independent, torsion beam axle-mount compound link-type rear suspension – featuring a robust, tubular V-shape beam – with gas-charged shocks. The front and rear tracks are identical at 59.4 inches (1,509 mm), for well-planted stability and balance.
The new RS is the only Sonic model offered with four-wheel disc brakes, which are partnered with a four-channel anti-lock braking system. The four-sensor system – one at each wheel – incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on such factors as road conditions and the weight of passengers and/or cargo.
Electric power steering is standard and features a wear compensator that continually adjusts the system interaction with the steering gear to ensure precise steering action over the life of the system.
Sonic lineup at a glance
The Chevrolet Sonic is offered in two body styles: a four-door sedan and a five-door, with a starting price of $14,495 (including destination charge). Each body style delivers class-leading, rear-seat roominess and cargo space. Vehicle highlights include:
- Standard Ecotec 1.8L engine (non-RS models) paired with five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions
- Standard electric power steering and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing
- Sedan offers trunk capacity that is greater than most compact cars; hatchback and sedan offer better rear-seat roominess than Ford Fiesta. With a rear seat that folds nearly flat, the Sonic hatchback has greater cargo capacity than Fiesta
- Connectivity includes OnStar with six months of Turn-by-Turn navigation. Available features include XM Satellite Radio, USB and Bluetooth functionality and MyChevrolet mobile application
- Remote start, heated front seats and sunroof – all rarities in the segment
- Ten standard air bags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and OnStar with Automatic Crash Response.
Sonic is built at the General Motors’ Orion Assembly Center in Michigan, which received a $545-million investment in upgrades and retooling and helped restore approximately 1,000 jobs in the metropolitan Detroit area.
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December 19, 2011 at 9:58 am
I’ve wonder why they don’t have the guts to put the Corsa OPC’s engine into this Sonic..
December 19, 2011 at 10:07 am
It is faster with the new trans gearing no extra power needed with this change, take one for a ride when released you will be suprised.
December 19, 2011 at 12:15 pm
It’s still no Ford Fiesta ST.
December 20, 2011 at 10:45 am
I always need extra power except a camaro and corvette.
December 19, 2011 at 1:38 pm
So we are taking a vehicle that in my mind is already pricy in LT and LTZ trims and adjusting some gearing, fancying up the interior and exterior a bit. Good grief how much is thing going to cost. There should only be a few versions of this vehicle, an economy version and a sport version: cost should be in line with what the consumer is willing to pay for a smaller vehicle. If this was a Celica or veloster style vehicle fine have an RS version that’s crazy pumped up, but it’s not. It’s a 4 door econobox.
December 19, 2011 at 3:02 pm
That’s why it’s an option package — like the Cruze and Camaro. Only for those who really want it
Other than that, the Veloster is powered by just as weak of an engine as the Sonic; it just happens to have a funky door.
I love the Sonic, but — just as with the Cruze — it’s just too good of a car to waste on NOT offering a more potent performance engine. Something along Ford’s Fiesta ST would be just what the doctor ordered.
December 19, 2011 at 10:36 pm
I really want to know why GM don’t have the guts to put more performance engine into the Sonic and the Cruze.
December 19, 2011 at 4:39 pm
The RS fixes the ugly standard grill and lonely rear bumper, it actually looks good now!
December 19, 2011 at 9:11 pm
will it be offered on the sedan as well
December 19, 2011 at 10:10 pm
Wisdom seeker, have to agree, all the more why there should be a simpler approach, this vehicle and an Eco version. Priced 16,000 and 12,500. why have all these variations good grief there is a base model, LS, LT, LTZ and now an RS version that people will probably snub because of the price.
December 19, 2011 at 11:58 pm
FINALLY! Rear disc brakes. Lovely, lovely, lovely. Now that we’ve got that out of the way…let’s have the diesel and the SS…err…Z16? Whatever….more oomph…
December 20, 2011 at 10:31 pm
I agree. Take a page out of the VW GTi playbook. A sporty package w/o the sport is just a joke.
Something about a sporty “hot hatch”… They just warm the heart…It says a car company cares for the average guy or gal who hasn’t the deep pockets but wants a zippy, decent handling commuter.
Warm fuzzies also come from car publications who just revel when a little sleeper econobox can outrun many more expensive cars. It creates buzz – it pulls in enthusiasts and can even make a little car like the Sonic a hit in Europe.
When the price of lithium drops, plunk a battery in back and give it electric boost.
Appearance packages need to back up the tease with the bidness, if you know what I’m sayin’. If they offer it, it says “GM gets it”. Sure, make it limited production and get some magazine covers and headlines.
December 21, 2011 at 1:39 am
I think maybe Chevrolet need to learn from Opel/Vauxhall and Holden to put high performance engine on their mainstream cars.
December 21, 2011 at 10:06 am
That’s exactly why Opel isn’t profitable! It gives people what they want! (just kiddin’)