Phillips Chevrolet's Blog: January 2011

Monday, January 31, 2011

Chevrolet Replaces Malibu in Miracle Story of Survival

Marc Keinath walks away from horrific crash after his 2004 Malibu was destroyed, pinned under a 20-ton tractor trailer

Marc Keinath miraculously survived an icy encounter with a tractor-trailer this week. His 2004 Malibu didn’t, but Chevrolet wrote the next chapter in the amazing story on Friday, presenting Keinath with the keys to a new 2011 Chevrolet Malibu.

“This is an incredible story of survival that shows you just never know what’s going to happen on the road,” said Rick Scheidt, executive director at Chevrolet. “When you look at Marc’s Malibu, you would never expect anyone would ever walk away from it.”

Keinath, 30, of Millington, Mich., was driving his 2004 Chevrolet Malibu along Interstate 75 in Genesee County, Mich. when he encountered a patch of black ice and spun out. When he regained control of the car, the tractor trailer hauling 20 tons of sugar smashed into the rear of Keinath’s Malibu before falling on top of it. As parts of the roof of the Malibu began to yield under the tremendous weight of the trailer, Keinath fully reclined his seat to give him more room inside, reached for his cell phone and dialed 911.

He walked away with no serious injuries.

“It’s been a heck of a week for me,” said Keinath. “I want to thank God for giving me a second chance at life, the firefighters and first responders who helped me, and Chevy for making a car that can hold a semi.”

Keinath’s new 2011 Malibu, which was named a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for the 2010 and 2011 model years, will come equipped with two years of lifesaving OnStar technology.

OnStar has Automatic Crash Response. In the event of a collision, sensors built into the Malibu can automatically alert an OnStar Advisor, who is immediately connected into the vehicle to see if help is needed. Even if the occupant is hurt and can’t respond, the Advisor knows the vehicle’s exact location through GPS technology, and can direct emergency responders to the scene.

Over the past 15 years, OnStar Advisors have responded to more than 148,000 vehicle crashes, unlocked more than 4.8 million doors, provided 2.4 million subscribers with roadside assistance and located more than 51,000 stolen vehicles.

Keinath’s new Malibu also has six air bags, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, four-wheel antilock brakes, and a high strength steel safety cage including enhanced roof strength as demonstrated by the IIHS roof strength test. All of this equipment is standard.

“Stories like Marc’s reminds us why we design and engineer every Chevrolet to help drivers avoid a crash, protect people in the unfortunate event of a crash, and with OnStar offer immediate help after a crash,” said Scheidt.

The Malibu was presented to Keinath as part of the Detroit Tigers Winter Caravan visit to General Motors’ Flint Engine Operations.

Phillips Chevrolet has Illinois’ Largest Chevy Inventory! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are one of the Largest Chevy Dealers in the United States. Visit us at www.phillipschevy.com. View our specials! Follow Phillips Chevrolet on Facebook and Twitter to receive coupons, special offers and prizes!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Chevrolet Volt Rollout Speeds Up: Available Nationwide By End of 2011

Chevrolet is stepping up the national rollout of the Volt to match customer interest.

“We’re accelerating our launch plan to have Volts in all participating Chevrolet dealerships in every single state in the union by the end of this year,” said Rick Scheidt, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Marketing. “This is the right thing to do for our customers and our dealers who are seeing increased traffic onto their showroom floors.”

Chevrolet Volts have been delivered to customers in the Washington D.C. area, as well as California, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Texas. Customer deliveries in Michigan begin this spring.

Customers nationwide will be able to order Volts with participating dealers beginning in the second quarter. Deliveries will begin in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii in the third quarter.

During the fourth quarter, Chevrolet expects to deliver Volts in all 50 states.

The decision to accelerate the national rollout was influenced by Chevrolet dealers like Criswell Chevrolet in Gaithersburg, Md., which has seen a surge of consumers interested in the Volt.

“The Volt is clearly bringing new customers to Chevrolet," said Harry E. Criswell III, president and owner of Criswell Chevrolet "We are seeing 10 to 15 customers a week who are seriously considering buying a Volt. Many of them own competitive brands and now have a Chevy on their shopping list because of the Volt."

Some of that consumer interest has been fueled by prestigious industry awards and recognitions for the Volt, including:

- 2011 North American Car of the Year
- Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year
- Green Car Journal 2011 Green Car of the Year
- Car and Driver 10 Best for 2011
- Ward’s AutoWorld 10 Best Engines for 2011
- AUTOMOBILE Magazine 2011 Automobile of the Year
- 2010 Breakthrough Technology, by Popular Mechanics

“Such recognition provides customers with credible, expert endorsement of new models, which is important for vehicles like the Volt that feature significant new technologies,” said Scheidt. “Based on the awards the Volt has received, and the number of consumers expressing interest in the technology, we believe the Volt is the right car at the right time.”

The Volt is an electric vehicle that offers a total driving range of up to 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas- and tailpipe-emissions-free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Facebook Gas Card Winner

Phillips Chevrolet's Commercial Truck Manager, Robert Noer, congratulates Charlie Brock for winning a BP gas card on our Facebook page! Follow us Facebook & Twitter for your chance to win.

Phillips Chevrolet has Illinois’ Largest Chevy Inventory! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are one of the Largest Chevy Dealersin the United States. Visit us at www.phillipschevy.com. View our specials! Follow Phillips Chevrolet on Facebook and Twitter to receive coupons, special offers and prizes!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Goes to Super Bowl XLV MVP

The Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLV between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers on February 6 will receive a 2011 Camaro Convertible, Chevrolet announced January 23, 2011.

A media panel and fan vote on www.superbowl.com will determine the MVP Award winner, announced during the Super Bowl XLV Postgame Show on Fox, presented by Chevrolet.

"The new Camaro Convertible arrives in dealerships in February and will be a fitting reward for the MVP," said Rick Scheidt, US vice president of Chevrolet marketing. "It's a great opportunity for Chevy to have Camaro play a role on one of the world's biggest stages, the Super Bowl."

The Camaro Convertible will appear on the field during the postgame celebration in North Texas. The convertible continues the momentum of Camaro, which has taken the lead in its segment in the United States. Available with an efficient 3.6-liter Direct Injection V6 engine, or as the V8-powered, 426-hp SS model, Camaro now features a power convertible top for the unequalled fun of open-air driving.

The Super Bowl MVP receives the Pete Rozelle Trophy, a silver trophy made by Tiffany & Co., and the Camaro Convertible. The MVP will be available following the winning coach's news conference on Monday, February 7 at 8:30 a.m. CST at the Super Bowl XLV Media Center, Houston B-C (3rd Floor).

Monday, January 24, 2011

Make A Wish Family goes to Bears Game

Make a Wish family goes to Bears game

(From left to right: Phillips Chevrolet's General Manager, Mike Maheras;

Jalen Harris; Jada Harris; Jennifer Harris and Jasmine Harris)

Phillips Chevrolet's General Manager, Mike Maheras, presents the Harris family with tickets to the weekend's Bears versus Packers game on Sunday January 23, 2011.

Chevy aims to double Volt output to 120,000 next year, report says

General Motors Co. plans to double the 2012 production capacity for the Chevrolet Volt to 120,000 as the automaker works to boost the plug-in hybrid's sales, said two people familiar with the matter.

Volt output this year may increase to 25,000 from an original plan of 10,000, GM CEO Dan Akerson said earlier this month. GM now is working with suppliers to raise 2012 capacity from an earlier target of 60,000. It may not build that many if parts aren't available or demand isn't strong enough, said the people, who didn't want to be named because the plans are private.

Akerson, who became CEO in September, wants to sell more of the $41,000 Volt and is pushing to use its Voltec gasoline- electric drive system for models sold by other GM brands. Akerson has said he wants GM to have more fuel-efficient models ready for a possible increase in oil prices to $120 a barrel.

“We want to stay sharply focused on technology,” Akerson told analysts at Deutsche Bank's Auto Industry Conference in Detroit on Jan. 11. “We don't want to be caught flat-footed as we were in 2008.”

Crude oil that year climbed to more than $140 a barrel and average gasoline prices topped $4 a gallon. Sales of trucks and cars with large engines plummeted, contributing to GM's $30.9 billion loss that year.

Randy Fox, a GM spokesman, declined to comment on production plans. He said he didn't know how many people have ordered a Volt or how long they will have to wait.

Volt goals

Akerson told his executive team in early December that he wanted to boost Volt production and explore adding its drive system to several models with a goal of at least tripling sales of vehicles with that technology by mid-decade from the 2012 target, people familiar with the matter said at the time.

After exploring its options, the team settled on doubling capacity for the Volt next year, they said. GM is still evaluating the Volt's technology for other models.

Higher output will allow GM to reduce the cost of the Volt's drive and battery systems, helping it lower the car's cost in future years, said Jim Hall, principal of 2953 Analytics Inc., an automotive consulting firm in Birmingham, Mich. GM

GM should be able to sell all of its Volt production as long as the government's $7,500 tax incentive is in place, Hall said. The incentive expires after GM sells 200,000 units of the car.

“The only way they will get cost down is with more production,” Hall said. “They are in a race to get costs down concurrent with selling 200,000 Volts.”

GM may announce the production increase at the Washington auto show next week, one of the people said.

The Volt can travel about 35 miles on a fully charged battery before the gasoline engine kicks in, giving the vehicle an additional 340 miles of range on a full tank of gas, GM said on its website.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated the Volt's energy use as the equivalent of 93 mpg in electric-only mode. In combined gasoline-electric driving, the EPA estimated the Volt would average 60 mpg, GM said. In gasoline-only mode, when the battery was drained, the car would get 37 mpg, GM said.

Friday, January 21, 2011

2011 Camaro Convertible to Pace Indy 500

January 20, at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Auto Auction in Scottsdale, AZ, Chevrolet and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced that a special edition 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Convertible will serve as the official pace car for the 2011 Indianapolis 500.

The 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Convertible is the 22nd Chevrolet and the seventh Camaro chosen to pace “the greatest spectacle in racing.” Adding to the rich heritage is the fact that 2011 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, as well as Chevrolet's centennial year.

The three pace cars and the fifty matching festival cars will be equipped with the 400-horsepower (298 kW) V-8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. These special edition Camaro models will feature a Summit White exterior accented with orange stripes and door graphics. The interior is trimmed in orange leather, including front seat headrests embossed with the Indy 500 logo, along with white door panels and instrument panel trim. The instrument panel trims features extensions of the orange exterior stripes. A picture of the pace car is attached below.

The color combination is similar to the design used on 1969 Camaro Indy pace car replicas – cars which have become among the most popular Camaro models in the collector world.

To commemorate this special designation, Chevrolet also announced this evening plans to auction the first of 50 Indianapolis Festival Committee Cars. The auction for this first festival committee car takes place Saturday evening, January 22, 2011, during SPEED’s live coverage of the Barrett-Jackson event. The vehicle carries lot number 1284 and bids can be submitted at the auction in person or online.

Chevrolet will donate full proceeds of the auction to the David Foster Foundation, (http://www.davidfosterfoundation.org) a charity devoted to supporting families with children in need of life-saving organ transplants.

David Foster, the 15-time Grammy winning music producer and songwriter, founded the organization in his native Canada.

Cruze-arati

First there was broadcast, then webcast, now there’s socialcast. This January, Chevrolet is proud to introduce six rising web personalities to be showcased in the first show of its kind where the audience plays a role – the Chevrolet Cruze-arati.

Chosen for their personal passions, extensive social media reach and dynamic style, the Cruze-arati will deliver more content, more entertainment and more access to the most unexpected people, places and things from around the country. And, while the Cruze-arati hit the road, the audience will be in the driver’s seat. Through tweets, texts, comments and videos, the fans will determine what they want to see and it’s up to the Cruze-arati to deliver.

On top of tweeting and blogging about their adventures, the Cruze-arati will star in short webisodes that will showcase these young web celebs using the Cruze’s many features and amenities in unexpected ways. The spaciousness of the interior provides a comfortable, inviting location for the Entertainment Cruze-arati’s talk show “Talk Cruze” while the acoustical treatments allow for flawless performances by the up and coming musical acts invited to perform in the backseat for “Cruze Cram”.

The Cruze-arati will also be attending Chevrolet sponsored events and reporting on their experiences there.

Meet the Cruze-arati:

Veronica Belmont

Technology

A self-declared social networking junkie from San Francisco, Veronica made her mark as a producer and on-air talent for CNET Networks and now hosts two technology basked shows, Tekzilla and Qore, With a Twitter following of over 1.6 million, Veronica has become a reliable source of tech information for gamers and gadget lovers.

Mike Barish

Travel

Mike is a native New Yorker who contributes to one of the most popular travel blogs on the web, Gadling, while maintaining his own blog and podcast “Mike and Alex’s Travel Show”. Mike spends as much time on the road as he can, traveling nearly every week and vigilantly blogging about his experiences with a comedic twist.

Marie Denee

Fashion

Marie Denee, also known as the Curvy Fashionista, hails from Ontario, California and has a successful fashion blog that earns nearly 1,000 unique visitors a day. Marie has produced Full Figure Fashion week and works as a “fit model” for Nordstrom’s plus-size brand. She is also the editor for Plus Model Magazine and a contributor for LA Examiner and Vogue Curvy.

Steven Smith

Music

Steven is a music industry veteran, having a served as on-air talent for VH1 and FUSE. Notable hosting gigs have included VH1’s Top 20 Countdown and Steven’s Untitled Rock Show, on FUSE. His network of contacts includes some of the country’s biggest stars across many genres, and he has built a passionate online community following as a result.

Micah Jesse

Entertainment

Micah hails from Atlanta but has recently been taking the New York scene by storm with his passion for pop culture news and celebrity gossip. Micah has made inroads among the music, entertainment and fashion communities, which lands him access to celebrities and their high profile events on a weekly basis. He’s been published in local and national publications including OK Magazine, NY Post, Page Six, and NY Daily News.

Amy Martin

Sports

Amy is a Phoenix native and self-made social media and marketing ace. Her own sports marketing company’s client list includes the Chicago White Sox, the LA Kings, Ultimate Fighting Championship, and Shaquille O’Neal whom she introduced to Twitter. Amy was recently featured in a Vanity Fair article praising her large Twitter following of almost 1.3 million and influence in the social media world.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Chevy offers free driving school to all Corvette buyers for limited time

We operate under the impression that on the whole we live in the best period of automotive innovation and power that the world has ever seen. Manufacturers are turning out four-cylinder engines with more horsepower and torque than the mighty V8 lumps of just two decades ago and eight pots that boast fuel economy numbers as impressive as their dyno charts. These days, mega power is mega cheap and more accessible than ever. But, as Uncle Ben reminds us, great power comes with great responsibility, and to that end General Motors is offering all Corvette buyers a chance to learn how to get the most out of their machines.

For a limited time, GM is giving away vouchers to both of the company's Corvette Driving Schools to anyone who buys any model of a new Corvette. Typically, the driving schools are free only to those who lay down the coin for a mighty ZR1, but for a limited time, The General is splurging for Coupe, Convertible, Grand Sport, Z06 and ZR1 buyers to go on the company's dime. The schools are at the Bob Bondurant school in Phoenix, Arizona and Ron Fellows school in Las Vegas, Arizona.

GM CEO Akerson says Chevy Volt tech coming to minivan

The more vehicles General Motors is able to build using the battery technology pioneered in its 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the better chance the automaker has of earning a return on its significant investment into the electrically driven automobile. It's the classic economies of scale issue... but what is the next logical vehicle application?

While many of the early prognostications pointed to a Voltec-powered Cadillac, a report from AutoWeek says GM CEO Dan Akerson is suggesting a minivan may come first. There's also some talk that an unknown hatchback is in the works (yes, the Volt is indeed a hatchback that's shaped to look more like a sedan, but whatever).

Also notable are Akerson's expectations that at least 10-percent of all GM production will be hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles within 10 to 15 years. Akerson wants each of the automaker's four core divisions –Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet (check) and GMC – to have a vehicle using Volt technology, though no timeframe for that expansion has been given.

In other Volt news, Akerson told reporters at the 2011 Automotive News World Congress that the General is on track to sell 25,000 Chevrolet Volts for the 2011 model year, which is a sizeable increase from the 10,000-20,000 units expected as production began.

Moving past the ever-present greenery, Akerson and GM North American President Mark Reuss both stated that the company is putting some of its next-generation truck programs on the fast-track. We'd imagine that means we'll see new fullsize pickups from Chevy and GMC sooner rather than later.

(Rumor) Chevrolet Camaro Z28 production beginning 1/1/2012

According to a report from Camaro5.com, Chevrolet has told its dealer body that the long-anticipated Camaro Z28 will begin production on 1/1/2012. This high-output version of the Camaro will be sold as a 2012 model and will come from the factory with a 6.2-liter supercharged engine (we'd guess something in line with the excellent LSA mill fitted to the 556-horsepower Cadillac CTS-V).

Naturally, some massive rubber will be required to put all those ponies to the pavement, and we're told to expect 285s up front and steamrolling 330s out back. Exterior styling will reportedly include some hood slats in addition to the expected power bulge to clear the force-fed engine, and the interior is expected to see minor updates as well.

Now that the Detroit Auto Show has officially come and gone with nary a Camaro Z28 in sight, our attention turns to Chicago in February and then New York in April. Stay tuned, we sense an unveiling in the near future.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Chevrolet Creates Waves With The All-New 2012 Sonic

Chevrolet displayed the all-new 2012 Sonic at the North American International Auto Show. Its youthful, aggressive design is backed by turbocharged performance and agile ride and handling, combining to deliver an efficient, fun-to-drive small car.

The Sonic is offered in two body styles: a stylish four-door sedan and a sporty five-door. Each delivers class-leading rear-seat roominess and cargo space. A variety of connectivity features enhance the driving experience.

“The all-new Chevrolet Sonic blends the practicality of a small car with the passion for driving that Chevrolet vehicles like the Corvette are known for,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “Its combination of great design, fun driving experience and the latest connectivity features create a serious competitor with a fun spirit.”

Production of the Sonic begins later in 2011 at the General Motors Orion Assembly Center in Michigan, which received a $545-million investment in upgrades and retooling, and will help restore approximately 1,000 jobs in the metropolitan Detroit area.

“Chevrolet is the only company building a small car in the United States,” said Perry. “We believe the Sonic will bring substance to the segment, with progressive styling, performance and value that will change perceptions of what a small car can be in America.”

Sonic’s highlights include:

- Available efficient Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine rated at an estimated 138 horsepower (103 kW) – 18 horsepower (14 kW) more than Ford Fiesta – that delivers competitive fuel economy. It’s the same engine used in the Chevrolet Cruze in a smaller, lighter package for a greater feeling of performance

- Standard Ecotec 1.8L engine paired with five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions

- Ecotec 1.4L turbo available with a six-speed manual transmission

- Ride and handling tuned by Chevy Corvette engineers; standard electronic power steering and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing

- Sedan model offers segment-best trunk capacity that is greater than most compact cars; hatchback and sedan offer better rear-seat roominess than Ford Fiesta. With a rear seat that folds nearly flat, the Sonic hatchback has greater cargo capacity than Fiesta

- Connectivity includes OnStar with six months of Turn-by-Turn navigation. Available features include XM Satellite Radio, USB and Bluetooth functionality and MyChevrolet mobile application with OnStar MyLink vehicle connectivity

- Remote start, heated front seats and sunroof, all rarities in the segment

- Comprehensive safety features include 10 standard air bags, antilock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and OnStar with Automatic Crash Response.

Progressive exterior design

From every angle, Sonic sedan and five-door models convey strength, stability and refinement. A wide, planted stance, with wheels-at-the-corners proportions, conveys performance. Progressive, raked body lines suggest movement even when the car is stationary.

Aggressive cues, including fender flares and motorcycle-inspired round headlamps, are blended with global design cues – a dual-element grille and round taillamps – for a design instantly recognizable as Chevrolet. The leading edge of the hood forms a character line above the headlamps, which flows in a sleek side profile characterized by uninterrupted body side lines, a high beltline and low roofline. The side mirrors carry the same shape as the car and seemingly disappear into the profile.

The sedan and five-door models are distinctively different. The five-door carries a tight, two-box shape with aggressive, diving feature lines, while the sedan’s “notchback” profile has a more upscale and mature presence. At first glance, the five-door model looks like a three-door hatch because the rear door handles are discreetly located in the “C”-pillar area. The rear of the five-door continues with unconventional details, including exposed, motorcycle-inspired rear taillamps.

Details that reinforce Sonic’s quality and attention to detail include chrome grille surrounds and matte black honeycomb grille inserts on all models, while a range of large wheel sizes, including 17-inch alloy wheels, reinforces its sporty demeanor.

Inspired interior

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.

Additional interior highlights include:

- 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

- Tubular outboard climate outlets protrude from the instrument panel surface.

The interior includes storage compartments in the center stack and doors. The rear seats fold flat for carrying larger items. Front bucket seats are standard and heated front seats are available.

Cruze-based powertrains

Chevrolet Sonic models are powered by efficient, power-dense, small-displacement engines, including the Ecotec 1.4L turbo and the Ecotec 1.8L – the same engines used in the new Chevrolet Cruze. 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.

The Ecotec 1.4L turbo’s power ratings are estimated at 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. Features include:

- Low-mass hollow-frame cast iron block

- Dual overhead camshafts with variable valve timing

- Chain-driven cams

- Roller-finger camshaft followers

- Piston-cooling oil jets and integrated oil cooler

- Variable-flow oil pump

- Electronically controlled thermostat.

he 1.4L’s turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold, for reduced weight and greater packaging flexibility in small vehicles. A reinforced crankshaft and stronger connecting rods deliver additional strength to support the engine’s pressurized power and torque over a wide rpm band.

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 estimated at 135 horsepower (101 kW), along with 123 lb.-ft. of torque (167 Nm) at 3,800 rpm.

Engineered for agile, athletic ride and handling

The Sonic brings agility and a fun-to-drive feel that is rare in the segment. Engineers who also work on the Corvette tuned the Sonic’s confident ride and handling, giving it a more direct and athletic 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, and a semi-independent, torsion beam axle-mount compound link-type rear suspension – featuring a robust, tubular V-shape beam – with gas-charged shocks. The front and rear tracks are identical at 59.4 inches (1,509 mm), for well-planted stability and excellent balance.

Electronic power steering is standard 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. Its rigidity enabled engineers to tune the ride and handling more precisely. Sonic’s unique “flat top frame” cradle, for example, 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.

A range of wheel sizes is available, including 17-inch wheels and sport tires. Power-assisted front disc and rear drum brakes are standard, along with a four-channel antilock braking system. The four-sensor system – one at each wheel – incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on such factors as road conditions and the weight of passengers and/or cargo.

2012 CHEVY SONIC PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Models:	Sonic 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback
Body style / driveline:	4-door or 5-door, front engine, front-wheel drive, 5 passengers
Construction:	unitized body/frame
EPA vehicle class:	subcompact
Manufacturing location:	Orion Township, Mich.
Key competitors:	Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris

Engines

	1.8L DOHC I-4	1.4L turbocharged DOHC I-4
Displacement (cu. in. / cc):	110 / 1796	83.2 / 1364
Bore and stroke (in. / mm):	3.17 x 3.47 / 80.5 x 88.2	2.85 x 3.25 / 72.5 x 82.6
Block material:	cast iron	cast iron
Cylinder head material:	cast aluminum	cast aluminum
Valvetrain:	overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, double continuously cam phaser intake and exhaust (DCVCP)	overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, double continuously cam phaser intake and exhaust (DCVCP)
Ignition system:	individual coil on plug	individual coil on plug
Fuel delivery:	sequential multi-port fuel injectors with electronic throttle control	sequential multi-port fuel injectors with electronic throttle control
Compression ratio:	10.5:1	9.5:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):	135 / 101 @ 6300 (est.)	138 / 103 @ 4900 (est.)
Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm @ rpm):	125 / 168 @ 3800 (est.)	148 / 200 @ 1850 (est.)
Recommended fuel:	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
Max engine speed (rpm):	6500	6500
Emissions controls:	close-coupled catalytic converters; Quick-Sync 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; fast light-off O2 sensor	close-coupled and underfloor catalytic converters; Quick-Sync 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; fast light-off O2 sensor
Est. fuel economy (city / hwy):	TBD	TBD

Transmissions

	M32 6-speed manual (1.4L turbo)	Hydra-Matic 6T30 6-speed automatic (1.8L)	M26 5-speed manual (1.8L)
Gear ratios (:1)
First:	3.82	4.45	3.72
Second:	2.05	2.91	1.96
Third:	1.30	1.89	1.32
Fourth:	0.96	1.44	0.94
Fifth:	0.74	1.00	0.75
Sixth:	0.61	0.74	--
Reverse:	3.54	2.87	3.30
Final drive:	3.65	3.47	3.94

Chassis/Suspension

Front:	MacPherson struts with offset coil springs and stabilizer bar
Rear:	semi-independent torsion beam axle with coil springs
Steering type:	column-mounted electric power steering
Steering ratio:	14:1
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:	2.8 (15- and 16-inch wheels) 2.7 (17-inch wheels)
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):	34.5 / 10.5 (15- and 16-inch wheels) 36.1 / 11 (17-inch wheels)

Brakes

Type:	ventilated front disc and rear drum, with standard ABS
Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm):	10.8 / 276
Drum diameter x width (in / mm):	9 / 230
Total swept area (sq in / sq cm):	TBD

Wheels/Tires

Wheel size and type:	15-inch alloy
	16-inch alloy
	17-inch alloy
Tires:	P195/65R15 ALS
	P205/55R16 ALS
	P205/50R17 ALS

Dimensions
Exterior

	sedan	five-door
Wheelbase (in / mm):	99.4 / 2525	99.4 / 2525
Overall length (in / mm):	173.1 / 4399	159 / 4039
Overall width (in / mm):	68.3 / 1735	68.3 / 1735
Overall height (in / mm):	59.7 / 1517	59.7 / 1517
Track (in / mm):	front: 59.4 / 1509 rear: 59.4 / 1509	front: 59.4 / 1509 rear: 59.4 / 1509
Curb weight (lb / kg):	TBD	TBD

Interior

	sedan	five-door
Seating capacity (front / rear):	2 / 3	2 / 3
Headroom (in / mm):	front: 38.7 / 982 (w/o sunroof) front: 37.6 / 956 (w/ sunroof) rear: 37.8 / 961 (w/o sunroof) rear: 37.8 / 961 (w/ sunroof)	front: 38.7 / 982 (w/o sunroof) front: 37.6 / 956 (w/ sunroof) rear: 38.1 / 968 (w/o sunroof) rear: 38.1 / 968 (w/ sunroof)
Legroom (in / mm):	front: 41.8 / 1062 rear: 34.6 / 881	front: 41.8 / 1062 rear: 34.6 / 881
Shoulder room (in / mm):	front: 53.4 / 1358 rear: 53 / 1347	front: 53.4 / 1358 rear: 53 / 1347
Hip room (in / mm):	front: 51.4 / 1306 rear: 51.6 / 1310	front: 51.4 / 1306 rear: 51.6 / 1310

Capacities

	sedan	five-door
EPA interior volume (cu ft / L):	TBD	TBD
Cargo volume (cu ft / L):	14 / 397	19 / 539 (behind rear seats) 30.7 / 869 (seats folded)
EPA passenger vol. (cu ft / L):	90.4 / 2560	90.6 / 2565
Fuel tank (gal / L):	12.1 / 45.8	12.1 / 45.8
Engine oil (qt / L):	TBD	TBD
Cooling system (qt / L):	TBD	TBD

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.

Phillips Chevrolet's Blog