The subcompact segment may be America’s smallest but just because these cars are tidy, efficient and inexpensive does not always mean they’re boring and slow. Chevrolet aims to prove the skeptics wrong as a new trim level will be added to their littlest car for the 2013 model year. Based on the dynamically impressive Sonic, the hotter version will show its face at dealerships later in 2012 and will carry with it a classic Chevy moniker: RS. Primed to attack any mountain road and autocross course with turbocharged fury will be the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS.
The Sonic is already the only offering among the subcompact segment to be available with a turbocharged engine. In RS trim, the car simply makes better use of the now-available 1.4 liter Ecotec four cylinder with revised gear ratios and a firmer suspension. Both the six speed manual and automatic get shorter shifts via reworked gears and tighter final drive respectively. This will allow RS drivers to have better access to the 1.4’s 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. That figure bests the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris while matching the Hyundai Accent’s output. But unlike the Korean, the all-American Sonic could have a better chance of make significantly more power by way of the aftermarket. To better put its power to the ground, RS receives stiffer dampers and a lowered ride height compared to the base Sonic and it will also be the only trim level to have disk brakes all around.
To strike more fear into the headlamps of other rivals, the exterior of the RS has been given a solid dose of aggression. The front bumper has been lowered and chiseled to accept a new fog light layout. The bold, open-mouth mesh grille is unique to the RS and does an excellent job of drawing attention flared rocker panel moldings. Exclusive 17 inch wheels fill the fenders while a revised rear features a new spoiler, lowered bumper and chrome exhaust. Overall, the RS is just ever-so-slightly more racey which is good as it doesn’t attract too much unwanted attention. Supplementing the outside are new features on the inside as well. The seats, steering wheel, shift knob and pedals have all be given special, RS treatment while the instrument panel cluster graphics are unique to the trim. A seven inch touch screen display will be powered by Chevrolet’s MyLink media controller. RS drivers will be able to customize their music and extensive smartphone pairing allows for Pandora Internet Radio to stream through the car’s stereo.
Given the subtle changes to the Sonic to make it an RS, prices for Chevy’s hot hatch should stay under the $20,000 mark. If that is the case, then a seriously fun and practical five door can be had for very low money. “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.”
Source: Chevrolet
