Chevrolet has taken the wraps off its Sonic RS hot-hatch at the 2012 North American International Auto Show. The Sonic RS will take on the growing number of performance compacts, including Hyundai’s latest Veloster Turbo.
The Sonic RS will initially be offered in hatchback form, but it remains possible that a sedan variant could eventually join the lineup. The Sonic RS will receive its motivation from the same 138-horsepower 1.4L turbocharged engine used in the larger Cruze sedan.
The Sonic RS will come standard with a six-speed manual, but a six-speed automatic can be specified as well. GM says both transmissions feature more aggressive gearing with closer ratios than found in other Sonic models.
The car will gain a unique front fascia including a new fog lamp layout, a new grille specific to the RS, new rear fascia, new rear spoiler, new rocker moldings, unique caps for the mirrors, a retuned exhaust with a sportier note and chrome tips, unique 17-inch wheels and a lowered, stiffened and sport-tuned suspension.
Step inside the subcompact Sonic RS and you will notice new front sport seats, a new sporty steering wheel with a thicker rim and flat-bottom, a new shifter knob if the six-speed manual is chosen, aluminum sport pedals, unique instrument panel graphics and RS-specific interior trim colors for the instrument panel and door trim inserts.
Of course Chevrolet will also pack the Sonic RS full to the brim with its latest technology, including Chevrolet MyLink with a seven-inch color touch screen to control the radio and more. MyLink allows for iPod integration, Bluetooth streaming, Stitcher radio and Pandora, in addition to navigation.
Look for the Sonic RS’ arrival nationwide in late 2012 as a 2013 model year car.
