Among the countless cool concepts that Chevrolet has shown at this year’s SEMA aftermarket trade show, here is the pair that’s actually grounded in the realm of fathomability for most of us: the Chevrolet Sonic Accessories concept, and Sonic Performance concept.
The Sonic Accessories concept transforms the ho-hum budget city car into something delightfully fashionable. A pair of contiguous matte black stripes carries from the nose of the car up the hood, down the length of the roof and hatch, and terminates at the bottom edge of the rear bumper. Bright white rings surround and highlight the circular headlight and taillight elements, a vibrant yet simple touch reminiscent of the youthful red lipstick around the Volkswagen GTI’s grille.
The Sonic Accessories concept is also fitted with sharp, five-spoke black wheels, and a fresh grille. But where this Accessories concept is all show, the Sonic Performance concept speaks through action. It gets plenty of the same aesthetic touches, mind you, wearing similar (white) stripes down the entire length of the car, but also features a Chevrolet Performance Stage Kit, with cold-air intake and freer-flowing exhaust. The suspension is also lower and track-tuned to lend itself to more aggressive cornering.
The engine upgrades to the Chevrolet Sonic Performance concept reportedly allow for an additional 10 HP and 15 lb-ft. Meanwhile, the modifications to both cars allow for an unspecified quantity more honks and thumbs upped.
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This has to be one of the ugliest vehicles GM has ever produced . Longish snout, the roofline curves downward toward the rear , limiting headroom , Why ??? and a chopped off rear end . The length of the nose and chopped off rear reminds me of the old American Motors 1970 Nash Gremlin ….what a winner that was !! My imagination runs wild here , as I imagine pulling off the highway for a rest , from driving the Sonic , onto a field adjacent to the highway and the snout of the car bends forward and starts grazing on the vegetation . If you own one , check periodically and see if there is grass or weeds stuck to the grill , just saying . I don’t think I’ve ever seen a vehicle in this hot market segment that looks so dis-proportional , like a hodge podge of different body parts welded together . Its a valid and timely response to the hot Ford Fiesta , oh yeh , a typical GM effort , be way out there on styling and leave a lot on the table for the other competitors , magnanamous to a fault !