The Chevrolet Aveo RS Show Car

The Chevrolet Aveo RS show car makes its Washington, D.C. debut this week at the 2010 Washington Auto Show. It features a European-inspired hot hatch look designed to appeal to young enthusiasts, and hints at the next-generation Aveo.

Longer, wider and more spacious than the current production Aveo, the Aveo RS showcases the car’s upscale-looking design cues both inside and out, and presents the many personalisation options potentially available on the next-generation car. Its 1.4L I-4 Ecotec turbo engine delivers exceptional fuel economy with performance when it’s needed.

“We hope the Aveo RS show car will demonstrate that we are as serious about redefining the Aveo and its place in the small-car segment as we were about reinventing the Malibu,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager.

First impressions
The Aveo RS show car, finished in electric Boracay Blue, wears global Chevrolet design cues such as the dual element grille, round taillamps and fender flares, but designers turned up the attitude on the show car with low openings and a lower mouth trimmed in a combination of brushed and polished aluminium. Outboard fog lamps are integrated into an exaggerated brake-cooling inlet that flows into the front fender flares, creating an aggressive-looking face.

Exposed headlamps, with their brushed aluminium structural surround, are inspired by the designers’ affection for motorcycles. The sleek side profile is characterised by uninterrupted body side lines, a high beltline and low roofline. The side mirrors with amber-coloured turn signal indicators carry the same shape as the car and seemingly disappear into the profile. At first glance, the car actually looks like a three-door hatch because the rear door handles are discreetly located in the “C”-pillar area.

“The Aveo RS show car demonstrates how progressive design can inject personality into a small car,” said Michael Simcoe, executive director, North American Exterior Design. “We want customers to see it and have an emotional reaction to it.”

No performance-minded car earns its street cred without large wheels and tyres. The Aveo RS show car’s wheels are 19-inch, five-spoke with a gun metal metallic finish Chevrolet logo. The wheel openings reveal large Boracay Blue brake callipers.

The rear of the show car continues the sport theme, with an integrated spoiler that flows from the roof, a centre-mounted exhaust and chrome exhaust tips. The exposed motorcycle-inspired rear taillamps feature tinted aluminium housings and a discreet Bowtie logo.

Efficient performer
The Aveo RS show car is powered by the same highly efficient 138-horsepower (103 kW) 1.4L I-4 Ecotec turbocharged engine that will be available in the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze.

A six-speed manual transmission is designed to ensure the car will provide a spirited driving experience.

For the show car, designers created a special engine cover in graphite silver with a brushed aluminium insert. The coolant and power steering fluid fill caps are rimmed in ice blue, and the honeycomb vents flanking the centre of the cover are matte-finished in shadow chrome and designed to match the wheel colour.

Chevrolet has previously announced the new Aveo will be built at Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Michigan, in 2011, a move that will restore 1,200 jobs to Southeast Michigan. Timing for retooling Orion Assembly for Aveo production is anticipated to begin in late 2010.

The Aveo is an important member of Chevrolet’s family of small cars, positioned between the upcoming Cruze compact sedan and the Spark five-door mini car in size.