(December 19, 2011) DETROIT — A hotter Chevrolet Sonic is about to sound off — the 2013 Sonic RS. It goes on sale in late 2012, after making its public debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit Jan. 14-22.

The new RS amplifies the Sonic’s youthful style and driving experience with unique exterior and interior features matched with a 138-horsepower Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine. Sonic is the only vehicle in its segment to offer a turbocharged powertrain.

“The new Chevrolet Sonic RS pushes Chevrolet’s performance heritage in a new direction, for a new generation of drivers,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing. “It takes the Sonic’s great design and latest connectivity features and combines them with a more performance-oriented look and feel.”

While the engine in the RS version is the same as the standard Sonic, it remains the only turbocharged engine among subcompact cars. Also, special gear ratios for the six-speed manual transmission and a more aggressive final drive ratio for the automatic give the Sonic RS a sportier feel than non-RS models.



The Sonic RS also comes with MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs, a stabilizer bar, a more robust rear suspension and four-wheel disc brakes.

The Sonic RS is offered exclusively in the five-door body style. Chevrolet’s exclusive MyLink infotainment system is standard. It enables navigation directions downloaded through a smart phone to be shown on the radio’s large display, and offers the personalized connectivity of Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio.

The more-aggressive look of the Sonic RS is inspired by the concept that debuted in Detroit in 2010. The Sonic RS will be available in Victory Red, Summit White, Cyber Gray Metallic and  Black Granite Metallic, which is a new exterior color for the 2013 Sonic.

“The Sonic RS remains true to the progressive spirit of the concept and brings an unmistakable attitude to the segment,” said John Mack, design director for the Sonic. “From every angle and every touch point, it is a car that is unabashed in its performance statement – and one that drives Chevrolet’s performance legacy into its second century.”

One of the most-dramatic cues from the concept carried into the production model is the Sonic RS’s front fascia, which has a deep air dam design that enhances the car’s road-hugging stance. Vertical intakes at the edges of the fascia reinforce the wide, low proportion and house the fog lamps.