The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS has made its global debut at the ongoing 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The new Sonic RS will go on sale later this year and will be equipped with a 1.4-liter turbo engine, which could produce 138hp (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm). It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. However, buyers may opt for a six-speed automatic transmission. General Motors said that the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS will be exclusively available with a five-door body style. The exclusive Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system will be offered as standard.
The 2013 Sonic RS has the following exterior features: New RS-specific grille; New front fascia with new fog lamp design; New rear fascia; New rear spoiler; Unique mirror cap finish; Retuned sport exhaust with chrome outlet; New rocker moldings; Unique 17-inch five-spoke wheel design; Lowered and stiffened suspension with performance-tuned dampers; and RS badging. The interior of the Sonic RS has new front sport seats, a new steering wheel with thicker rim and racing-inspired flat-bottom design, new aluminum sport pedals, specific instrument panel cluster graphics, a new shifter knob for the manual transmission, and RS-specific interior trim color for the instrument panel and door trim inserts.
In addition, the 2013 Sonic RS features a MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar, as well a semi-independent, torsion beam axle-mount compound link-type rear suspension. Its front and rear tracks are the same at 59.4 inches (1,509 mm). This means that the vehicle offers a high level of stability and balance. Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing, said that the new Chevrolet Sonic RS propels the performance heritage of Chevrolet to go to a “new direction, for a new generation of drivers.” He added that it adds to the Sonic’s design and most advanced connectivity features and merges them with an appearance and a feel that’s more performance-oriented.
