GM discontinued the Chevy Sonic in October of the 2020 calendar year, putting the fun-loving little sub-compact to bed in order to make room for new all-electric vehicles. However, despite the nameplate’s discontinuation, diehard fans are keeping the Chevy Sonic alive with interesting customization mods and impressive performance upgrades, including this 300-horsepower hatchback from ZZPerformance.
Based in Michigan, ZZPerformance has built a reputation for churning out high-performance upgrades for a variety of different GM nameplates, including popular models like the Chevy Camaro and Cadillac CTS-V, and less-popular models like the Chevy Sonic. For those readers who may have missed it, ZZPerformance is also the same shop that stuffed 600 horsepower under the hood of a Chevy Cobalt SS to create a front-wheel drive time attack monster.
Now, the shop is showing off its 300-horsepower Chevy Sonic, as driven by YouTuber ThatDudeinBlue. Although 300 horsepower (at the wheels) might not sound like a lot in the age of the 670-horsepower Chevy Corvette Z06 or 1,000-horsepower GMC Hummer EV, 300 is still a sizable sum for the little Chevy Sonic hatchback, and definitely more than enough to plaster a big smile on the face of anyone who drives it.
From the factory, the Chevy Sonic’s turbocharged 1.4L I4 LUV gasoline engine is rated at 138 horsepower at 4,900 rpm and 148 pound-feet of torque at 1,850. Obviously, the four-banger in this particular example is now chucking out quite a bit more, with under-the-hood upgrades including a new Z04 turbocharger, plus all the associated bits and pieces to complement (piping, exhaust, tuning, etc.).
Coupled with some suspension upgrades and extensive aesthetic upgrades for the exterior, and this thing looks like it’s an absolute riot to drive. To underline that fact, the video host takes the ZZPerformance Chevy Sonic out for a test drive around town, laying into the throttle at choice moments and bringing the viewer along for the ride.
Check out the full feature video right here:
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Sonic news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
This is what you can do with a iron block that is very modestly tuned from the factory… Too bad gm doesn’t make decent b/c segment cars anymore…
I wish they would makes some magic to the Spark hehe!
Our family loves our three chevy cruze 1.4L turbos’ performance. We still drive and won’t let go of our 2011 cruze – our first one. They are just peppy and fun to drive besides reliable and economical.
Great Video! I couldn’t help but smile as I watched it. Still have my 2012 Chevy Sonic LTZ 1.4L Hatchback 6-speed manual and I won’t let it go. It’s the perfect size and a very fun car to drive.
Love my 2013 1.4t 6mt sonic too. Unfortunately, gm doesn’t really make an adequate replacement at this point, so I’ll probably have to look else where when it’s time to replace it. It’s still going strong at 170k, though it will need a clutch soon.
I love the steering wheel shape and design, it’s almost the same as my 2015 ZL1. I think it came out in 2014 Camaro. The steering wheel on the 2010-2013 Camaro was fugly.
ZZP is a great company that has a long history of upgrading GM cars. They have a dedicated following of Cobalt, ATS, and Camaro drivers, not to mention a ton of S/C 3800 W-body die hards as well!
I have a heavily modified 2015 Cruze with a 1.4t, 6 speed manual, and I love it. ZZP intercooler, piping, catless downpipe and mid pipe, ported intake manifold, lowered, ZZP intake, msd coil pack, tuned with HP tuners myself, and the thing floats. It’s kissed 140 mph before, does 120 mph with no effort. Still haven’t timed it in the quarter but I’ve beat cars that should have whooped my car’s butt. I’d totally buy another.
Got a (bought new) 2014 Sonic LTZ, LOADED with options, and with a 6 speed auto tranny! Don’t laugh, the 1.4 turbo and the auto tranny work surprisingly well together while getting amazing gas mileage. I think it’s about time to have some real fun with this car here in SoCal where “Tuners” are all the rage, and so perhaps contacting ZZP just might be exactly what I’m looking for in a small modified “Hot Hatch”. Loved the video, it’s about time someone went a little bit further with the Sonic, and yes I’ve seen one or two Sonics “tweaked” with suspension kits, some cool wheels and rubber, a “Fart Muffler” (these can be too noisy if not properly muffled) ect. but none done as well as the Sonic we seen in this video. Yep, it’s ’bout time to “kick it up” a little bit and enjoy a truly fun compact car from Chevy that will make a great sleeper/tuner when done and I’m betting at a fairly reasonable price too. Now where did I leave my “hidden from the wife” credit card, ah ha…got it!
Oh, PS…I’m a very young 75 year old male that drives for fun every day, but my tricked out C5 Corvette, while GREAT FUN, tends to attract the local Sheriffs and Highway Patrol way too easily, so maybe a it’s time to park the beast for a while and have some fun with a daily driver that will still put a smile on my face, without attracting some un-needed attention.
I have a 2013 Chevy Sonic RS I purchased used over a year ago. Last summer I put the Z03 turbo in along with suspension mods. I love,loveloveit! This car is doing 11.9 sec. 130mph quarter mile. Thanks to my recent tune. This car is so much fun. I couldn’t imagine the Z04 big wheel turbo. This will be my next upgrade though. These cars are so under rated. I used to have a VW Gti Autobahn and it wasn’t as quick as this little shit! Zzp thank you for making affordable upgrades. And, GM what the hell…..bring this car back, some of us will never go electric because we like cars we can shift manually and have fun in!