Hey, check it out kids: Chevrolet will unveil this production version of the five-door hatch Aveo at the Paris Auto Show in a couple of weeks and -- get this -- it's still attractive and unlike Chevy's other Paris Show unveils, the Cruze hatchback and the Orlando box-on-wheels, the Aveo will actually go on sale in the U.S. of A (where both Chevrolet and Chevy are based).
You had all right to believe that the production Aveo would be hideous-ified, in the manner of the production freaky-bug Spark versus the kind-of-cool concept on which it was "based." Surely it couldn't be as attractive as the Aveo RS show car from this year's Detroit Auto Show or our caring rendering of it from late last year. And yet it is.
Chevrolet says, with the Aveo, it's bringing "hot-hatch style" to the small car segment. Okay. The new Aveo, still engineered largely in Korea, is longer and wider than the current model and goes on sale in the U.S. (and Canada) in 2011. And that's as specific as Chevy is going to get right now. In Europe the Aveo will be available with four different gas engines and one diesel. The gas motors range from a 70-hp 1.2-liter four to a 115-hp 1.6-liter. The diesel is a 1.3-liter featuring Start/Stop technology and making either 75hp or 95 hp, depending on how much money you pay the dealer. We're going way out on a limb here and saying that the bigger gas motor(s) will make it to the U.S. and not the diesel. The Aveo will be available with a 6-speed automatic or a 5-or 6-speed manual, depending on engine choice. Both the U.S. and Europe will also get a less-attractive four-door sedan version of the Aveo too.
If Chevrolet is at all serious about this "hot hatch" thing, it'll drop the turbocharged four from the Cruze into this little guy -- with the boost cranked up.
lostboyz says:
07:38 AM, 09/ 8/10
new definition of 'meh'
robert4380 says:
07:49 AM, 09/ 8/10
It looks like it has potential to be a fun little hatch, but there's no way those wheels are gonna show up on the production version in the US.
bankerdanny says:
08:30 AM, 09/ 8/10
I like it. Enough power to not be dangerous on American highways, a 6-speed auto (are you paying attention Subaru and Mazda) and the exceptionally practical 5-door body style that should be available on all small cars.
Well done GM.
audisport says:
08:51 AM, 09/ 8/10
Am I looking at the same picture as everyone else?
Looks kind of ugly-fied to me.
Hopefully it sells for GM, but I like the looks of the Fiesta alot more.
ed124c says:
08:54 AM, 09/ 8/10
Apparently the new meaning of "hatchback" is "chop off the trunk and add a door".
If you look at the rear view you will notice that the rear headrest is about 12 inches from the rear hatch glass.
So, I have two questions:
1. Would you really like to seat your little kids back there with their fragile heads only a foot away from a rear ender?
2. Where is the utility? There is no storage space to speak of, unless you fold the rear seats, which would then give you the storage space equal to the space behind the rear seat of a traditional stationwagon, but no room for more than two people.
This resembles a Kia Soul, which also has very little storage space.
The Fiesta has a bit more, but these new "hatchbacks" are a joke to me.
moparbad says:
08:59 AM, 09/ 8/10
1.3L diesel 95HP would be a great optional engine for U.S.A..
lostboyz says:
09:13 AM, 09/ 8/10
ed124c, stop trying to say they are less safe, they are all tested in the same way and still meet rear occupant safety requirements. Space does not equal safe. It also isn't a utlity vehicle, its a mini hatch, if you need to carry a lot of stuff get a bigger car.
windsor5 says:
09:20 AM, 09/ 8/10
I think it has potential but if you ask me there is something slightly off about it. It has some good elements like the headlights and taillights but It just seems akward. I think its the fact that the sides of the cruze and aveo are not as well designed as the front and back to me it just doesnt jive well together.
stress83 says:
10:26 AM, 09/ 8/10
Is an Aveo sedan even necessary? I presume that most buyers in this segment want the hatch. If one wants a sedan, they can simply go with a Cruze.
Is there stat with the amount of current Aveo hatch's sold vs the Aveo sedan?
dougtheeng says:
12:54 PM, 09/ 8/10
Not a fan. I was excited after I saw the concept drawing, but this is very 'meh'. No deal.
alukashe says:
01:22 PM, 09/ 8/10
I think it looks good for an econobox.
04tlchi says:
01:31 PM, 09/ 8/10
the front kinda looks like a volkswagen scirocco
breif says:
04:23 PM, 09/ 8/10
ed124c,
I'm pretty sure the recipe for a 5 door hatch has always been "chop off the trunk and add a door."
Perhaps you're thinking of station wagons?
calspecial68 says:
06:45 PM, 09/ 8/10
What is it with the rear door handles being so high on more and more cars (Acura ZDX and a few others)? Seriously, it's kinda messed up for little kids and little people who want to get in the backseat on their own. Besides, the Acura with it's edgey and artistic design is the only one that it looks good on. Get rid of it, and you got yourself a more competent car in my book.
sportyaccordy says:
08:37 PM, 09/ 8/10
What happened to the 150HP turbo gas motor? We need that!
lsobboh says:
08:58 PM, 09/ 8/10
Scirocco are nice looking cars... and so are Alfa Romeo 147's... but my gosh they make one ugly car when you put them together...
I think there are better options out there. Ford Fiesta is a decent choice. So is the Toyota Yaris S 5 door... This just seems like too much...
stovt001 says:
11:27 PM, 09/ 8/10
Yeah I foresee the high rear door handles posing a challenge to children...not a good idea. Still the rest of the design is fairly cool, though I slightly prefer the Fiesta. Performance versions of both the Aveo and Fiesta would make for an interesting match-up indeed.
jscion says:
08:19 AM, 09/13/10
GM has the potential to have a small car as compitent as the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, and Ford Fiesta...if the smart is still in tact that is. The name should've been changed...Aveo and hot hatch just don't go together. And yes, why bother with the dumb sedan model???