CHEVROLET

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

By Mauricio Lezcano  / carsNtravel.com 

The all new 2012 Sonic is a small car with a large array of features and amenities. It is offered in two body styles a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback, each with distinctive design elements, including motorcycle inspired round headlamps. Each delivers class leading rear seat roominess and a variety of connectivity features enhance the driving experience.

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

Power dense four cylinder engines, including an Ecotec 1.4L turbo are offered in the Sonic and it is designed to be one of the safest vehicles in the segment, with 10 standard air bags.

Sonic designed two distinct body styles a four door sedan and five door hatchback, a wide planted stance with wheels at the corners proportions conveys performance. Progressive raked body lines suggest movement even when the car is stationary.

Sonic’s cabin complements the motorcycle inspired exterior with a detailed instrument cluster featuring a large round analog tachometer set within an asymmetrical LCD readout with a large digital speedometer display. The mid instrument panel surface is available in two colors (dark titanium and brick) and flows seamlessly into the upper doors with premium low-glass finishes; the automatic shift knob has a cobra head design while the manual shifter has a chrome finished knob. The interior includes storage compartments in the center stack and doors, the rear seats fold virtually flat for carrying larger items, front bucket seats are standard and heated front seats are available.

Chevrolet Sonic models are powered by efficient power dense small-displacement engines, including the Ecotec 1.4L turbo and the Ecotec 1.8L. Three transmissions are available a five- speed manual and six-speed automatic with the 1.8L and a six-speed manual with the 1.4L turbo.

Ten standard air bags include side curtain air bags

The Ecotec 1.4L turbo’s power ratings are 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) between 1,850 rpm and 4,900 rpm, the wide rpm range for the maximum torque  a specific trait of turbocharged engines helps the engine deliver a better driving experience and performance, premium design elements give the engine world-class smoothness and durability including a low-mass hollow frame cast iron block, dual overhead camshafts with variable valve timing, chain-driven cams and roller-finger camshaft followers, piston-cooling oil jets and integrated oil cooler, a variable flow oil pump and an electronically controlled thermostat.

The naturally aspirated Ecotec 1.8L engine has many of the same features of the Ecotec 1.4L turbo. It is a compact and durable four cylinder engine designed for low maintenance, low emissions and fuel efficiency its two-stage variable intake manifold allows approximately 90 percent of peak torque to be available from 2,400 rpm to 6,500 rpm It is rated at 138 horsepower (103 kW) along with 125 lb.-ft. of torque (170 Nm) at 3,800 rpm.

Engineers who also work on the Corvette tuned the Sonic’s ride and handling, giving it a more direct feel while balancing the vehicle for the broad range of driving conditions in North America. All models feature a MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar, the rear suspension consists of a semi-independent torsion beam axle-mount compound link type design featuring a tubular V-shape beam with gas charged shocks.

Four door sedan and five door hatchback

Electronic power steering is standard, eliminates the need for steering fluid and a pump needed with hydraulic systems 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’s body structure is designed to be one of the stiffest in the segment and its rigidity enabled engineers to tune the ride and handling more precisely, a unique “flat top frame” cradle assures optimal stiffness in the front chassis portion of the vehicle, the rear axle is essentially a straight axle without contour for packaging restraints and reduced noise, vibration and harshness.

The Sonic is designed to help drivers avoid crashes while protecting the occupants in the event a crash occurs. Ten standard air bags include side curtain air bags which provide head protection for outboard passengers in the event of a side impact or rollover crash, electronic stability control system helps reduce the risk of rollover crashes by keeping the vehicle in the driver’s intended path by applying throttle, braking or a combination of both.

Four channel antilock braking is standard and incorporates electronic brake force distribution which balances braking performance based on such factors as road conditions and the weight of passengers and cargo.

Sonic is offered with OnStar on all models. It uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of crash. OnStar subscribers also can use the service to be Good Samaritans by sending help to other motorists, and to call for help in other non-crash emergencies.

The suggested retail price of the all new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic begins at $14,495, The EPA fuel economy estimates 25 MPG city and 35 MPG highway. Key competitors: Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent and Toyota Yaris.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com