A few months ago, Chevrolet expanded its local product line-up by launching the sporty Sonic B-segment hatchback, which slots in above the more affordable Aveo light car. General Motors South Africa (GMSA) has now broadened the Sonic range to include saloon derivates as well as a flagship hatchback model that’s powered by a punchy 1,3-litre turbodiesel motor.
For details on the new range of vehicles and pricing you can click here.
Sonic 1,6-litre LS saloon
From the behind the steering wheel, the Sonic saloon delivers a similar driving experience to that of the hatch, but it might be even a little more comfortable to drive in terms of ride quality. During the recent media launch I drove a 1,6-litre model mated with a five-speed manual transmission. As was the case with the 1,6-litre hatchback we drove last year, the gear shift had a simple, direct action and since you have to work the gears to extract brisk acceleration from the 85 kW mill, it is perhaps good thing that there is no sixth ratio.
The steering position is surprising low, which I prefer, but there should be a multitude of driving positions available because the seat can be adjusted for height and the steering column for reach and rake.
With the driver’ seat set for a 1,87-metre adult, yours truly, I had enough head room as a rear passenger, although my knees were touching the front seat. There is easily enough space to seat two adults in comfort at the back however, and ISOfix child seat anchorages are standard equipment.
The interior will look familiar to Cruze and Spark owners, as certain parts of the instrumentation have similar designs to those found on the other two cars. Standard convenience equipment includes a radio/CD player with MP3 compatibility and an auxiliary input socket. However, if you prefer to upload your music to a USB stick, you will have to pay a little extra for the comfort package, which also includes Bluetooth connectivity, six speakers (instead of the standard four), cruise control and a multi-function steering wheel.
This segment of the market already features the Volkswagen Polo, the lesser-specced Polo Vivo, Mazda2 and the impressive Hyundai Elantra. We will also see Kia’s Rio (a car that highly impressed us in hatchback form recently) in a saloon format soon, so, the Sonic saloon will have stiff competition.
Sonic 1,3-litre LS turbodiesel hatchback
Although a turbodiesel-engined light hatchback commands a price premium, it is generally a very satisfying and economical car to drive. The only other small capacity engine – in this league – available on our market is Volkswagen’s Polo BlueMotion, which has a 1,2-litre turbodiesel.
The 1,3-litre engine in the Sonic develops 70 kW at 4 000 r/min and 210 N.m at 1 750 r/min. One could expect the characteristics diesel clatter from the engine, but it was actually not the case. As with many contemporary turodiesel-engined passenger cars, once you are on the move in the Sonic oil burner, any excessive engine noise (compared to that of a petrol engine) dies away.
The turbodiesel motor is mated with a six-speed manual transmission that complements the engine well. Even on the highway, with another motoring journalist on board, you can leave the engine in sixth gear at 120 km/h and still accelerate if you put your foot down. Somehow it offers a little more than I expected.
Depending on the gear, it will also pull strongly to just before 4 000 r/min. With an acceleration time to 100 km/h similar to the 1,4-litre and 1,6-litre petrol derivatives, and being more frugal and torquey, there is little to criticise about this hatchback.
Lookout for a Chevrolet Sonic road test in CAR magazine in the near future.
Specifications*
Model: Chevrolet Sonic 1,6 LS manual
Engine: 1,6-litre, four-cylinder petrol
Power: 85 kW at 6 000 r/min
Torque: 155 N.m at 4 000 r/min
0-100 km/h: 11,3 seconds
Fuel consumption: 6,4 l/100 km
CO2: 152 g/km
Top speed: 183 km/h
Price: R168 570
Service plan: 3 year/60 000 km
Service intervals: 12 months/15 000 km
Specifications*
Model: Chevrolet Sonic 1,3 D LS manual
Engine: 1,3-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel
Power: 70 kW at 4 000 r/min
Torque: 210 N.m at 1 750 r/min
0-100 km/h: 11,7 seconds
Fuel consumption: 4,6 l/100 km
CO2: 119 g/km
Top speed: 174 km/h
Price: R178 730
Service plan: 3 year/60 000 km
Service intervals: 12 months/15 000 km
* As claimed by the manufacturer.