First Look: 2012 Chevrolet Aveo
Chevrolet has taken the wraps off of the production version of the 2012 Chevrolet Aveo. The new model looks good, carrying over the attractive looks of the Aveo RS show car from the 2010 North American International Auto Show. We are particularly fond of the twin headlights, black surrounds on the taillights, and the rear door handles mounted in the C-pillar.
In terms of powertrains, the Aveo looks to be well equipped (at least in foreign markets). Chevy claims there will be two 1.2-liter engines producing 70 and 86 horsepower respectively, as well as a 1.4-liter mill producing 100 horsepower, with the top-dog engine being a 1.6-liter unit producing 115 horsepower. Two 1.3-liter diesels, equipped with start/stop technology, will be offered, producing 75 and 95 horsepower each. Don’t count on picking up an oil-burning or small-displacement Aveo at your local dealership, as we only expect the 1.6-liter to make the trip to the United States. On the bright side, a six-speed automatic will be available (a first for GM in this class). There will also be a five- or six-speed manual on offer (we expect the six for the US market).
Besides the new sheetmetal, the Aveo looks to get a heavily revised interior. The look is modern, with a wraparound dash reminiscent of recent Buick models and a digital speedometer with cool blue accent lighting. It’s hard to tell from the sole photo we have, but hopefully the interior materials have been spruced up as well.
When it comes Stateside in during the summer of 2011, expect the Aveo to do battle with the Ford Fiesta, Mazda2, Honda Fit, and Toyota Yaris. We don’t have pricing yet, but the low teens seems reasonable. Check back for more on the new Aveo in the not-so-distant future.
Please scroll down for the official press release from Chevrolet.
New Chevrolet Aveo to bring ‘hot-hatch’ style to small car segment
• Full production Aveo world debuts at Paris Motor Show
• Dynamic design stays true to show car concept
• New Aveo to be launched in summer 2011
• Comprehensive engine line-up includes 1.3 liter diesel engine and 6-speed transmissions
• Aveo is one of four Chevrolet world premieres at the Paris Motor Show
There is no shortage of world firsts for Chevrolet at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, and joining the Orlando MPV and Cruze hatchback show car is the eagerly awaited Chevrolet Aveo 5-door, which like the Orlando makes its world production debut.
The Aveo RS show car was displayed at the Detroit and Geneva motor shows earlier in 2010, and with the final production-ready model, Chevrolet has a car that looks every bit as good as the earlier concept.
Entering the highly competitive global small car segment, striking design elements of the new Chevrolet Aveo include the aggressive looking front with its exposed twin-headlamps and dual port grille, compact taut body panels with a rising shoulder line and short rear overhangs, the ‘hidden’ rear door handles which now feature in the c-pillar and a ‘body in, wheels out’ profile which is now very much part of the new Chevrolet design language.
Reminiscent of the recently introduced Spark, the new Aveo is unquestionably a car that will appeal to younger customers with its sporty hot-hatch look. A four-door sedan variant will launch alongside the hatch next summer. Both hatch and sedan are practical small cars with good interior space and Chevrolet expects the new Aveo also to appeal to families, for whom the current model has been a popular purchase.
The new Chevrolet Aveo has benefited from an extensive development program, resulting in a small car that will meet European drivers’ tastes both in terms of design and dynamics. Final specifications of the new Aveo will be carefully tailored to each European market.
Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe says: "It’s just such an exciting time to be at Chevrolet; not only do we have new entries into the MPV and compact classes, in Aveo we have a car which is ready to compete against the best in the small car segment, which is also Europe’s largest segment."
The new Aveo is longer and wider than the current model, giving it a spacious interior and cargo volume that is among best in class. The interior design perhaps holds even more surprises than the outside, in particular the motorcycle-inspired instrument binnacle which features an analogue tachometer combined with a digital speedo and warning lights.
Up-market blue backlighting features on the center console while the whole of the front cabin is enveloped in a wrap-round fascia. This can be color-coded and flows from the dash into both the driver’s and front passenger’s doors. Aveo customers will appreciate the quality materials used in the interior as well as multiple storage spaces in the center stack and the modern audio system with USB, aux-in and Bluetooth functionality.
Reflecting the little Chevrolet’s sporty personality, Aveo has been engineered to provide involving handling, a characteristic which stems partly from its tight body frame integral (BFI) structure where high torsional rigidity has been achieved – among the stiffest in the small car segment.
The new Aveo’s chassis has been fine tuned to satisfy European tastes with a ride and handling ratio that combines comfort with responsiveness. Electronic power steering (EPS), Electronic stability control (ESC) and ABS brakes will be standard.
A comprehensive range of four cylinder petrol and diesel engines will be available in the new Chevrolet Aveo, incorporating the latest technologies such as variable valve timing, double continuous variable cam phasing and common rail fuel injection for the diesels.
The petrol engine range includes two 1.2 liter versions (at 70 hp and at 86hp), a 1.4 liter unit (100 hp) and a 1.6 liter (115hp). For the first time, Aveo will be offered with two versions of a 1.3 liter diesel engine (at 75 hp and at 95 hp) featuring Start/Stop technology.
Chevrolet’s first 6-speed automatic transmission on a small car will feature on the Aveo 1.4 and 1.6 as an option in most markets; manual transmissions are of 5 or 6 speed depending on engine choice.
About Chevrolet
Chevrolet is General Motors’ largest global brand with annual sales of about 3.5 million vehicles in more than 130 countries. It is the fourth biggest global car brand in terms of sales and also one of the fastest growing brands in the world. Chevrolet Europe delivers attractive, distinctive design, practical, economical cars and outstanding value for money. After re-launching the brand in Europe in 2005, Chevrolet more than doubled its sales to over 500,000 in 2008. In 2009, Chevrolet held its market share in Europe at 2.3 percent, selling 426,000 cars. Chevrolet has a network of 2,900 dealers and service points in Europe. The Chevrolet line-up includes the all-new Spark city car, the small Aveo, compact Cruze sedan, Captiva SUV, mid-size Epica and the legendary Corvette sports car. In 2011, Chevrolet will launch the Orlando, an all-new family van, the Camaro coupe and convertible, the new Aveo and the Cruze hatchback as well as re-launching the Captiva SUV with four new engines. Chevrolet’s biggest markets in Europe are Russia, Italy, Germany, France, Spain and the U.K. Established in the U.S. by Swiss émigré Louis Chevrolet in 1911, the brand is preparing to celebrate its centenary with the launch of the ground-breaking Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle. More information on Chevrolet can be found at http://www.chevroleteurope.com or http://media.chevroleteurope.com.
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