Will The Chevy Sonic RS Arrive In Europe As The Aveo RS?

Even though the Chevy Sonic RS is not the performance-oriented hot hatch some of us have been anxiously waiting for, it’s still a good-looking subcompact with sporting aspirations. As of this writing, the Sonic RS — a trim level of the Gamma-based Sonic subcompact, has only been available in North America. But according to autowp.ru, the model will shortly make its way over to European shores as the Chevrolet Aveo RS. The Sonic is known as the Aveo in Europe.

The publication provided a (fairly official-looking) photo of the Euro-spec Aveo RS in five-door hatchback form — the only body style in which the RS is currently offered in the United States. In Europe, the vehicle will likely be identical to the U.S.-spec Sonic, cradling the same 1.4 liter turbocharged Ecotec engine making 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb-ft (200 Nm) of torque mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Currently, the U.S.-market Sonic RS is offered with a choice of a manual or automatic transmissions, and builds on the LTZ trim level, while adding:

• The 1.4L turbocharged engine with 6-speed manual transmission featuring performance oriented gear ratios
• 4-wheel disc brakes
• A sport exhaust with chrome outlet
• Standard 17-inch Midnight Silver-painted aluminum wheels
• A new front fascia with new foglamp design, RS-specific grille, new rear spoiler, rocker moldings, exterior RS badging, and unique mirror cap finish
• Leather-appointed sport seats with sueded inserts, a new leather-wrapped sport steering wheel with racing-inspired design, and an RS-specific interior trim color for the instrument panel and door trim inserts
• Chevrolet MyLink Radio with an AM/FM stereo including Bluetooth audio streaming, voice recognition for phone, 6 premium speakers, and Pandora Internet Radio and Stitcher SmartRadio compatibility, all controlled through a 7-inch color touch-screen

The photo provided by autowp.ru features the same aggressive fascia and five-spoke 17-inch alloys as the U.S.-spec model, with the U.S. model also featuring aluminum sport pedals and leather-wrapped front bucket seats. In addition, the American-market Sonic RS is offered in four hues, including Victory Red, Summit White, Cyber Gray Metallic and Black Granite Metallic, while the European version will reportedly be offered in the (very loud but awesome-looking) orange color seen here. The interior, meanwhile, is expected to sport red stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

Chevy will likely announce the Aveo RS to Europe at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September, where Opel will show the Insignia Country Tourer and Monza concept.

The GM Authority Take

The Sonic Aveo RS might be the perfect vehicle to jumpstart Chevrolet’s growth in Europe — something that The General fully intends to do while repositioning Opel-Vauxhall.