If you know the Chevy Onix, you know the Chevy Prisma, which is essentially a sedan variant of the Onix. It rides on the same Gamma II architecture as models like the Chevy Sonic, (South American-market and Gamma-based) Cobalt, Spin, and Onix, and was fully developed in Brazil.
The Prisma offers a choice of two four-cylinder engines that GM calls Smart Performance Economy, or SPE: the first is a 1.0 liter and the second is a more potent 1.4 liter. Running on ethanol, the 1.0 makes 80 horsepower and 72 lb.-ft. of torque (98 Nm); running on gasoline, it makes 78 horses and 70 lb.-ft. of torque (95 Nm). Meanwhile, the 1.4 liter makes 106 horsepower and 102 lb.-ft. of torque (139 Nm) running on ethanol, along with 98 horsepower and 95 lb.-ft. of torque (130 Nm) when running on gasoline.
Both engines are mated to an F17 5-speed manual transmission, the same gearbox that’s provided in the Onix and Cobalt. According to GM, 0-100 km/h (62 mph) is reached in 12.7 seconds when running on gasoline with the 1.4 liter unit.
When it arrives to showrooms later this year, the Prisma will be available in LT and LTZ trim levels. Standard equipment will include parking sensors, power steering, ABS / EBD, and front airbags. In addition, Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system will also be available.
The Prisma will join the Onix as Chevrolet’s product offerings for the Brazil and other Latin American markets, as it will launch in Argentina later this year. Prisma was developed at GM’s Tech Center in Brazil, one of the five GM centers worldwide that develops new products.
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Comments
Prisma? Whats next, a Sprinta? Spectruma?
( I know, the Prizm had a “Z”, but I couldn’t resist.
I’d love to see the nameplate Beretta resurrected.
“Prisma” is the Portugese translation. You seen ignorant not knowing the language of Brazil.
Why develop a new model and not use existing (sonic)?
The Sonic is already offered all over South America… the Onix/Prisma are very much decontended, allowing them to be priced way below the “real” “premium” offerings.
Brazils offerings really have a strong design language now, that carries across many of there products, while obviously for a specifice audience or market these products really look great and have a consistent look and feel both inside and outside. Very exciting, it seems like GM is trying to get there here in the US regarding design language and consistency but to me it is still lacking especially within the Chevy line up.
Agreed, Chevy lacks a clear design vision in NA and could take a page from Kia or Mazda.
Chevy means different things in different markets depending on local economy and niche. This car reminds me of an old school low cost Plymouth and I love it.
Where the heck are the !&@€ armrests… €$@&… Beep… Beep…
I definitely see the Sonic in the door frames, gauge package, etc (and the corporate steering wheel!). Glad to see they created enough visual differentiation and didn’t smear up a corporate name if they cheapened the heck out of this model. However, if this is el-cheapo, why the park sensors and mylink?
Look at the prices of passenger cars offered by GM in Brasil under the Chevrolet brand:
BRL Model
30,790 Onix
34,990 Prisma
47,500 Sonic Hatch
53,800 Sonic sedan
62,350 Cruze hatchback
64,550 Cruze sedan
“Below” the Onix there is still the Celta 3- and 5-door and the “Classic” , starting with 25,270 BRL.
This range of passenger cars ends at the upper end with the Camaro for 203,000 Reales.
Minivans, SUVs and pickups are separate.
BRL = Brasilian Real. 1 Real is about 50 cents of a USD and 38.5 Cents of an Euro.
Lazaro, I don’t think you will see GM use the Beretta nameplate again. If memory serves correct, I believe the gun maker of the same name sued GM over it and won and GM had to pay them millions. I’m still not sure how the products are all that close that this should have gone through….
Okay, I found the article from the New York Times on July 21, 1988 stating Beretta filed the suit seeking $250M(!), but I have no idea about the settlement.