A Look At Chevy’s Small Car Lineup at the NAIAS Auto Show

The North American International Auto Show has become home of Chevy’s introduction of the Aveo RS show car – a European-inspired hot hatch aimed at young enthusiasts. The Aveo RS show car provides a glimpse of what designers have in mind for the future production car. One look at the show car’s electric Boracay Blue finish, motorcycle-inspired exposed headlamps and tail lamps, low roofline, fender flares, large wheels and tires, and dual-cockpit interior hints at the next-generation Aveo. Focusing on Aveo’s target audience of young buyers, Chevrolet gave the show car a sporty appearance inside and out. An aggressive front fascia; clean, uninterrupted body side lines; an integrated rear roof spoiler; wide stance; and large, 19-inch, five-spoke wheels with a gun metal Chevrolet logo and Boracay Blue brake calipers suggest upscale style and dynamic handling. The Boracay Blue continues inside, with accent stitching in the instrument panel, dual cockpit, front and rear door panels, gear shift boot, parking brake and seat bolster. The Aveo RS show car features the same small-displacement 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged engine that will be available in the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze in North America. Delivering 138 horsepower (103 kW), it performs like two powerplants in one, with the fuel economy of a small engine and the performance of a larger one. In the Aveo RS show car, the 1.4L turbo is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

The Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan is already on sale in Asia and Europe with strong market acceptance. In 2011, the Cruze will change the rules in America by bringing a midsize car presence to the compact sedan segment. It will deliver many segment-leading features, more interior room and cargo capacity than the competition and upscale amenities such as Bluetooth, USB and navigation. It offers midsize roominess, safety and amenities with the fuel economy and expected price of a compact car. The U.S. production version of the Cruze was unveiled last month. The Cruze affirms Chevrolet’s commitment the lead in small-displacement, turbocharged four-cylinder engines that are highly fuel efficient. Cruze is expected to deliver segment-leading fuel economy in North America with a new Ecotec 1.4L turbo with variable valve timing – including under 6.0 L/100 km on the highway with a high-efficiency model. The all-new Cruze will be built in Lordstown, Ohio beginning in the third quarter.

The five-door Chevrolet Spark, the smallest member of Chevrolet’s family of cars, brings style, roominess and versatility to a segment of extremely fuel-efficient small cars. Spark will provide great fuel economy, and its trim size makes it very agile in all kinds of driving conditions while still feeling substantial on the open road. The Spark will go on sale in Europe this spring. The U.S. production version will go on sale in early 2012.