GM Reveals 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS

[FenwickHockey65]

Turbocharged 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS Pushes Performance
Unique exterior and interior styling, sport-tuned suspension and standard MyLink
Link to Press Release

December 19, 2011

DETROIT – A hotter Chevrolet Sonic is about to sound off – the 2013 Sonic RS. It goes on sale in late 2012, after making its public debut at the North American International Auto Show Jan. 14-22.

The new RS amplifies the Sonic’s youthful style and driving experience with unique exterior and interior features matched with a 138-horsepower (103 kW) Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine. Sonic is the only vehicle in its segment to offer a turbocharged powertrain.

“The new Chevrolet Sonic RS pushes Chevrolet’s performance heritage in a new direction, for a new generation of drivers,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing. “It takes the Sonic’s great design and latest connectivity features and combines them with a more performance-oriented look and feel.”

The Sonic RS is offered exclusively in the five-door body style. Chevrolet’s exclusive MyLink infotainment system is standard. It enables navigation directions downloaded through a smart phone to be shown on the radio’s large display, and offers the personalized connectivity of Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio.

Sonic RS exterior features

• New front fascia with new fog lamp design
• New RS-specific grille
• New rear fascia
• New rear spoiler
• New rocker moldings
• Unique mirror cap finish
• Retuned sport exhaust with chrome outlet
• Unique 17-inch five-spoke wheel design
• Lowered and stiffened suspension with performance-tuned dampers
• RS badging.

The more-aggressive look of the Sonic RS is inspired by the concept that debuted in Detroit in 2010. The Sonic RS will be available in Victory Red, Summit White, Cyber Gray Metallic and Black Granite Metallic, which is a new exterior color for the 2013 Sonic.

“The Sonic RS remains true to the progressive spirit of the concept and brings an unmistakable attitude to the segment,” said John Mack, design director for the Sonic. “From every angle and every touch point, it is a car that is unabashed in its performance statement – and one that drives Chevrolet’s performance legacy into its second century.”

One of the most-dramatic cues from the concept carried into the production model is the Sonic RS’s front fascia, which has a deep air dam design that enhances the car’s road-hugging stance. Vertical intakes at the edges of the fascia reinforce the wide, low proportion and house the fog lamps.

Sonic RS interior features

• New front sport seats
• New sport steering wheel with thicker rim and racing-inspired flat-bottom design
• New shifter knob (manual transmission)
• New aluminum sport pedals
• Specific instrument panel cluster graphics
• RS-specific interior trim color for the instrument panel and door trim inserts.

“Like the exterior, the Sonic RS’s interior looks and feels the part of a true performance car,” said Mack. “The seats are firm and provide great lateral support during quick cornering and the feel of the thick, flat-bottom steering wheel is a feature driving enthusiasts will truly appreciate.”

The Sonic RS’s interior is a connected environment, with the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment seven-inch color touch screen radio. This system allows customers to bring customized music libraries into the vehicle and use their smart phones and Bluetooth connectivity to access Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio and navigation. Navigation directions downloaded through a smart phone can be displayed on the screen and, when the vehicle is stopped, users can project video and even personal photo albums onto the screen from their phone.

Sonic RS performance

The Sonic RS is powered by a standard Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine that is rated at 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) – and provides an immediate feeling of power that is sustained across the rpm band, for a greater feeling of performance at lower rpm. It’s matched with a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic.

Unique gear ratios for the six-speed manual transmission and unique final drive ratio for the automatic give the Sonic RS a sportier feel than non-RS models.

Complementing the segment-exclusive turbocharged powertrain is MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar, and a semi-independent, torsion beam axle-mount compound link-type rear suspension – featuring a robust, tubular V-shape beam – with gas-charged shocks. The front and rear tracks are identical at 59.4 inches (1,509 mm), for well-planted stability and balance.

The new RS is the only Sonic model offered with four-wheel disc brakes, which are partnered with a four-channel anti-lock braking system. The four-sensor system – one at each wheel – incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on such factors as road conditions and the weight of passengers and/or cargo.

Electric power steering is standard and features a wear compensator that continually adjusts the system interaction with the steering gear to ensure precise steering action over the life of the system.

Sonic lineup at a glance

The Chevrolet Sonic is offered in two body styles: a four-door sedan and a five-door, with a starting price of $14,495 (including destination charge). Each body style delivers class-leading, rear-seat roominess and cargo space. Vehicle highlights include:

• Standard Ecotec 1.8L engine (non-RS models) paired with five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions
• Standard electric power steering and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing
• Sedan offers trunk capacity that is greater than most compact cars; hatchback and sedan offer better rear-seat roominess than Ford Fiesta. With a rear seat that folds nearly flat, the Sonic hatchback has greater cargo capacity than Fiesta
• Connectivity includes OnStar with six months of Turn-by-Turn navigation. Available features include XM Satellite Radio, USB and Bluetooth functionality and MyChevrolet mobile application
• Remote start, heated front seats and sunroof – all rarities in the segment
• Ten standard air bags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and OnStar with Automatic Crash Response.

Sonic is built at the General Motors’ Orion Assembly Center in Michigan, which received a $545-million investment in upgrades and retooling and helped restore approximately 1,000 jobs in the metropolitan Detroit area.

More photos at the link.

[S3XPanther]

Just as I thought, it looks like crap. I would so much rather go with a nice Focus RS. I think the Focus actually looks good.

[its a syn]

With a little help it could look like the SEMA one.

[jcamere94z28]

looks like a fun little car...


but.... i wouldn't be caught dead driving one. :P

[Sawyer]

not liking the rear lights.

[BowtieBelle]

WHY WOULD THEY CALL THAT A RALLY SPORT?!

what a fail....

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by BowtieBelle

WHY WOULD THEY CALL THAT A RALLY SPORT?!

what a fail....

Why? It's an RS Appearance package, similar to the Camaro's. Little things here and there to make the car look sportier.

This actually goes farther than the Camaro's as it has suspension tweaks as well.

[BowtieBelle]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Why? It's an RS Appearance package, similar to the Camaro's. Little things here and there to make the car look sportier.

This actually goes farther than the Camaro's as it has suspension tweaks as well.

Rally Sport should never apply to eco cars... there's nothing sporty about them... but of course that's just my opinion.

[DF454]

If the Sonic is smaller and lighter than the Cruze (with the same 1.4Turbo) why does it has lower fuel economy ratings?

[Silverlsinva]

I Have to say that i think its pretty awesome looking and i like the fact they did tweaks to the suspension and brakes and different interior that steering wheel looks nice too. There is nothing wrong with this car being a Rs its mostly apperance package as the same is most Rs models. Im more dissappointed in the Cruze Rs all that is badge plus ground effects. Id buy one of those in a heartbeat if i was looking for a great fun to drive and good gas mileage car.

[helmincamaro]

gotta admit.... I kinda like it

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by BowtieBelle

Rally Sport should never apply to eco cars... there's nothing sporty about them... but of course that's just my opinion.

Sonic was intended from the beginning to be a very fun-to-drive car. Steering/suspension work was done by the Corvette guys. It may be eco car-sized but it certainly is sporty.

Originally Posted by DF454

If the Sonic is smaller and lighter than the Cruze (with the same 1.4Turbo) why does it has lower fuel economy ratings?

Cruze 1.4T non-ECO does 38 MPG. Sonic 1.4T does 40 MPG.

[JoeP@TeamBeckyD]

This car will be fun!! These non-turbo already drives
like a slot car, this one will be a faster slot car. Actually
it's a blast to drive

[DF454]

Fen, on the Chevy website they only list the Sonic at 35Mpg HW, not 40.
The Cruze is listed at 35, 38 and 42Mpg HW depending on trim level.