SEMA 2012: Chevrolet Announces B-Spec Sonic Race Car
0
Sponsored Links
Chevrolet finally revealed a Sonic with some serious driving credentials, though it’s not for the street. As we continue our communal pouting over a lack of a serious performance Sonic, let us observe the latest product that will never be: the Sonic B-Spec race car concept. and like the Chevrolet Camaro COPO dragster, the Sonic B-Spec concept meets racing regulations right out of the box and will be available by the first quarter of 2013 through Chevrolet Performance retailers. It’s not clear yet if the Sonic B-Spec concept was one of the Chevrolet Performance models that have been rumored.
“Sonic B-Spec concept demonstrates the car’s capabilities in the increasingly popular B-Spec subcompact classes in SCCA and Grand Am series,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “Sonic’s great balance of power and responsive handling make it a natural on the track – and a formidable competitor.”
Enhancements include:
- Front strut coil-over assemblies and mounts
- Rear shock coil-over assemblies and mounts
- Adjustable front stabilizer bar links
- Rear axle shim kit
- Inlet air restrictor
- Recalibrated ECM and EBCM
Chevrolet says that the necessary safety features, such as the roll cage, safety seat, window net and racing harnesses, are sold separately, and the builder/race team would have to source their own. As for what a completed Sonic B-Spec racer would look like, the concept vehicle is shown with a Monaco Blue-painted roll cage, a carbon fiber racing seat, a five-point safety harness, window safety net, center catch net, quick-release steering wheel/hub system and a fire extinguisher. We’ll post more photos as they come.
And as much as we wish to call the Sonic’s hue “hedgehog blue”, it’s officially called Luxor Blue, with deeper Monaco Blue graphics. The body also features lightweight 15×7-inch racing wheels complete with racing rubber. Chevrolet is still evaluating the components of the kit, so some of the parts may change for production.
Mechanically, the Sonic race car concept’s 1.8L engine plus five-speed manual remains unchanged from its factory specifications, like the other B-Spec classes. However, an air restrictor is employed to equalize its output with other competitors.
- Sweepstakes Of The Month: Win a 2023 Corvette Z06 Convertible. Details here.
Sponsored Links
