2012 Chevrolet Sonic specifications

[MetroMPG]

The new 2012 "Sonic" (still called "Aveo" in most other markets outside of North America) debuted at the 2011 NAIAS (North American International Auto Show) in Detroit.

See also: Chevy Sonic photos

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.

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.

EDIT: a Sonic diesel option hasn't been announced, though the European 2012 Aveo (Sonic) is available with a 1.3L turbodiesel.

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.

The 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.


Specifications

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
[td]-[td]

-	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

<p>-	sedan	five-door
Seating capacity (front / rear):	2 / 3	2 / 3
Headroom (in / mm):	front: 38.7 / 982 (w/o sunroof) <p> front: 37.6 / 956 (w/ sunroof) <p> rear: 37.8 / 961 (w/o sunroof) <p> rear: 37.8 / 961 (w/ sunroof)	front: 38.7 / 982 (w/o sunroof) <p> front: 37.6 / 956 (w/ sunroof) <p> rear: 38.1 / 968 (w/o sunroof) <p> 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 [/b]	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

[tidus10]

i want a blue one with spikes going down the center with a license plate that reads h3dgh0g

[h3llfir3]

is it really necessary to have a separate area for the sonic stuff? lol i think we should just add sonic to the list of models in the general discussion

[thehunterooo]

the fourm will be a aveo/sonic fourm soon enough, if they share some of the same parts by chance then it will be big here, even more than luminas

[MetroMPG]

Until we know the Sonic specs, we can't be sure how much crossover there will be. Just trying to be proactive.

And... note to self: add a Lumina section.

[Z34guy]

Until we know the Sonic specs, we can't be sure how much crossover there will be. Just trying to be proactive.

And... note to self: add a Lumina section.

well... I'm not the only person here with a Lumina. lol

[MetroMPG]

Had to chuckle at the edmunds.com "2012 Chevrolet Sonic" specifications page:

[petrified.rabbit]

Is it actually going to start at $12,300?

[thehunterooo]

not too bad

[MetroMPG]

I doubt it.

"pricing and specs on these pages are edmunds.com's expectations"