SEMA 2012: Sonic Z-Spec 2.5 Concept Is “Tuner-Inspired”
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Following the Sonic Z-Spec 1 concept is this Sonic Z-Spec 2.5… concept. It’s “tuner-inspired”, as the car — according to GM — has “the performance to back up its aggressive stance”. Many of the parts added to the Sonic Z-Spec 2.5 car can be obtained through Chevrolet Performance and GM Accessories, while other components are strictly aftermarket goods. Full features include:
- Abalone White Tricoat exterior color with Z-Spec graphics
- Unique ground effects package and lower fascia extensions
- Chevrolet Accessories rear spoiler
- Galvano Silver accents on the grille surround, fog lamp bezels door trim and wheels
- Tinted headlamps and fog lamps
- Concept 18×7.5-inch wheels in Galvano Silver with Signal Red edges
- Jet Black leather-trimmed interior with Orange Crust leather inserts and orange accent stitching
- Orange anodized and Piano Black interior trim plates
- Jet Black Leather-, Jet Black Suede- and Orange Suede-wrapped door panels and instrument panel with Orange accent stitching
- Jet Black perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Chevrolet Accessories stainless steel pedal covers
- Chevrolet MyLink color touch screen
- Chevrolet licensed accessories Sub and Amp Kit, with KICKER 200-watt DSP amp and 200-watt powered subwoofer
- Lowered ride height, with Chevrolet Performance concept suspension kit, including lowering sprints and performance dampers
- Chevrolet Performance concept brake kit, featuring four-piston front disc brake calipers with 16-inch rotors
- Chevrolet Performance concept single-piston rear brake calipers with Sonic RS rotors
- Chevrolet Performance concept cold-air intake kit
- Chevrolet licensed accessories Borla exhaust system
Just as with the Sonic Z-Spec 1 concept, the Z-Spec 2.5 gets no engine love, which is a shame. The lack of any engine mods beg the question of how this SEMA concept “has the performance to back up its aggressive stance”. We’d answer that by replacing the 1.4 liter turbo with the all-new boosted 1.6 liter unit, which would make one heck of a companion to this already agile, nimble, and fun subcompact.
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would like to see one of the 3 go into production to show that the cobalt’s family members aren’t backing down to tuners 😉
I think GM is off base here — a lot of cosmetics that would appeal almost exclusively to a customer who is also interested in performance. So the 1.6 turbo gets mentioned again, but what gets it, and when? To me this engine and a better transmission are needed for at least 3 cars in GM’s lineup — Sonic SS, Cruze, and Encore. All of these need it (yesterday) to keep pace with the competition. The cosmetics might get the girl into the car, but she’ll dump him after the first ride.
VeranoHatchForUS The problem is the new 1.6T isn’t here just yet… as in it can’t make it to the States for the next few months due to testing and federalization. But it’s coming 🙂
i want to be excited about these cars, i really do, but the market is moving away from compact FWD performance. (FR-S and a new generation of affordable RWD/AWD cars flooding the market everyday) plus the power level necessary to be taken serious is now in the 300hp or better range for the newer F.I. cars.
then there’s the issue of GM being the worlds biggest tease when it comes to tuned up “performance” versions of their more mundane products at shows; all show no go (production wise).
Wait, the market is being flooded with RWD/FWD performance cars? That’s news to me.
Outside of the FR-S/BRZ, WRX, Miata, 370Z, Mustang, Genesis Coupe, Challenger, and Camaro, what other affordable performance cars can one purchase that are AWD or RWD? The only new additions to that list are the Scion/Toyota and the Subaru…
Well u mentioned most of them. But specifically I was talking a combination of the used car market and the FRS/BRZ twins. As it stand toyotais selling everyone it makes, and the BRZ isn’t far behind. Even at mark up they are still affordable.
Then there’s all the used G35, 350z, IS250-350, e46 and newer BMWs,4th gen f-bodies and sn96 mustangs. Plus used WRX, EVOs, SRT4s and MIatas and used Chrysler LX cars. The used performance market is looking pretty good now. And with the TOYBURU twins being the success they are, it won’t be long before others adopt the formula.
If you wanna go fast in a proper chassis on a budget, times are looking good again.
why can’t they put a prototype of the 1.6T as a display and then working on it in the mean time??
Theoretically, that’s possible. But like each organization, we need to take into account other (perhaps more important) announcements that they want to make when the engine is ready to be announced for the U.S. Know what I mean?
Again , it’s a case of hurry up and wait!