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Chevy has added the 2012 Sonic to the online graphics designer website powered by Original Wraps.  There are a number of configurations for the user to play with at http://www.chevroletgraphics.com/sonic.php?type=hatch  The online graphics configurations available for the various Chevy models is a creative way for owners to personalize their vehicles.  We recommend everyone go and play around on the site.

First thoughts on the graphics was this must be for the upcoming Z-Spec line, but after playing around with the different options it appears that the configurations are available for any of the lines.  Be prepared, prices for these factory graphic stickers might just give you a classic case of "sticker shock".

GM News released a press statement confirming the 2012 Chevy Sonic turbo motor with six-speed manual transmission has been ranked by the EPA as having an estimated 40 MPG on the highway and 29 MPG in the city (1).  This is a marginal improvement over the standard 2012 Sonic 1.8 liter naturally aspirated engine which earned marks from the EPA as having 35 MPG on the highway and 26 MPG in the city (1).

(1). General Motors Website. 2011. 2012 Chevy Sonic with 1.4L Turbo Hits 40 MPG on the Highway.  Retrieved September 15, 2011 from: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Sep/0915_sonic

2011 AVEO HB                                     2012 SONIC HB                                 2012 VELOSTER

Front Head Room                              Front Head Room                                 Front Head Room       

39.3 in.                                                38.7 in.                                                39.0 in.

Front Hip Room                                 Front Hip Room                                   Front Hip Room

51.6 in.                                                51.4 in.                                                53.2 in.

Front Leg Room                                Front Leg Room                                   Front Leg Room

41.3 in.                                                41.8 in.                                                43.9 in.

Front Shoulder Room                        Front Shoulder Room                           Front Shoulder Room

53.6 in.                                                53.4 in.                                                55.6 in.

Rear Hip Room                                   Rear Hip Room                                    Rear Hip Room

52.8 in.                                                 51.6 in.                                                52.6 in.

Rear Head Room                                Rear Head Room                                   Rear Head Room

37.6 in.                                                38.1 in.                                                  35.3 in.

Rear Leg Room                                   Rear Leg Room                                    Rear Leg Room

35.4 in.                                                  34.6 in.                                                31.7 in.

Rear Shoulder Room                           Rear Shoulder Room                          Rear Shoulder Room

52.8 in.                                                 53.0 in.                                                54.0 in.

Width                                                   Width                                                  Width

66.1 in.                                                 68.3 in.                                                70.5 in.

Height                                                  Height                                                 Height

59.3 in.                                                 59.7 in.                                                55.1 in.

Length                                                 Length                                                 Length

154.3 in.                                               159.0 in.                                                166.1 in.

Front Track                                          Front Track                                          Front Track

57.1 in.                                                  59.4 in.                                                61.5 in.

Rear Track                                           Rear Track                                           Rear Track

55.5 in.                                                  59.4 in.                                                62.0 in.

Wheel Base                                          Wheel Base                                          Wheel Base

97.6 in.                                                  99.4 in.                                                104.3 in.

           

Cargo Capacity                                     Cargo Capacity                                    Cargo Capacity

15.0 cu.ft.                                              19.0 cu.ft.                                             15.5 cu.ft.

Max Cargo Capacity                              Max Cargo Capacity                            Max Cargo Capacity

37.2 cu.ft.                                              30.7 cu.ft.                                             ------------

EPA Interior Volume                             EPA Interior Volume                           EPA Interior Volume

105.9 cu.ft.                                            109.6 cu.ft.                                          105.3 cu.ft.

Curb Weight                                        Curb Weight                                          Curb Weight

2546 lbs.                                                2795 lbs.                                                2584 lbs.

Fuel Tank                                             Fuel Tank                                            Fuel Tank

12.0 gal.                                                12.1 gal.                                                13.2 gal.

  

Source of Comparison Data Retrieved from:

General Motors Website. 2011. Chevrolet Creates Waves With The All-New 2012 Chevy Sonic.  January 01, 2011. from: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Jan/11naias/chevrolet/0110_sonic

Chevrolet Website.  2011 Aveo 5 Specs from: http://www.chevrolet.com/aveo/hatchback/features-specs/

Edmunds Website.  2011.  Hyundai Veloster Features & Specs.  Retrieved September 20, 2011 from: http://www.edmunds.com/hyundai/veloster/2012/features-specs.html?style=101404379

On September 14, 2011 the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released data on the all new 2012 Chevy Sonic crash tests.  IIHS has concluded that the 2012 Chevy Sonic is a TOP SAFETY PICK for both the sedan and hatchback models and is a marked improvement over the predecessor Aveo (IIHS).

This is wonderful news for a vehicle of this size and demonstrates how Chevy is concerned with safety when designing vehicles.  The IIHS also list the 2012 Sonic LT sedan weight as 2,798 lbs with an estimated EPA rating of 25 mpg cit and 35 mpg highway (IIHS).

We are still awaiting word from the safercar.gov website on the 2012 Chevy Sonic crash data.

To read the actual crash test data from the IIHS, please refer to this link:  http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=737

Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS) Website.  September 14, 2011.  Chevrolet Sonic Earns TOP SAFETY PICK Award.  Retrieved September 14, 2011 from: http://www.iihs.org/news/default.html  And YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt4K2h10NCk&feature=player_profilepage

It has been some weeks now sinice select dealerships first revived the new 2012 Sonic line. Granted this appears to be way ahead of schedule, but where are the 1.4 turbo six speeds? Is the delay related to the order of assembly? Have the engineers found something of concern or still not signed off on the turbo models?  A quick web search of available Sonics fail to show any turbo models in stock, but many dealers have listed "in-transit" for the turbo option.  If you go to CARS.COM and search for all Sonics within any distance zip, then as of September 14, 2011 the search will show 530 Sonics available, all with the 1.8 non-turbo.  SONIC SEARCH via CARS.com

Many of the Chevrolet dealerships are beginning to update their website accessory pages to include options for the 2012 Chevy Sonic.  Searching any number of these dealers will revel a number of the interior and exterior options with prices which are available for purchase.  Even a few online GM part vendors have updated accessory options for the 2012 Sonic.  Listed below are a few of the accessories found on the internet, and will be updated periodically:


Interior:


       Sonic Pedal Covers.  GM Part Number: 95970279 (MT) 95970280 (AT)
       Sonic Door Plates.  GM Part Number: 95954000  
       Sonic Premium Floor Mats.  GM Part Number: 95918875
       Sonic All Weather Floor Mats:  GM Part Number:  95918878
       Sonic Cargo Net.  GM Part Number:  95964983 (Black) 95964984 (Pewter)
       Sonic Cargo Tray.  GM Part Number:  95493487 (HB) 95971429 (sedan)
       Sonic Remote Start.  GM Part Number:  95990001 (HB)  95990000 (sedan)
       Sonic Rear Storage Cover Floor.  GM Part Number:  95920170 (HB)
       Sonic Smoker's Package.  GM Part Number:  95494514


Chevrolet Europe Aveo/Sonic Interior Accessory Part Numbers
       Cargo Organizer.  GM Part Number:  96448609
       Front Seat Net.  GM Part Number:  93742973


Exterior:


       Sonic Chrome Door Handles (GBA) Sedan Only.  GM Part Number:  95031499
       Sonic Splash Guards Mud Flaps.  GM Part Number:  95463818
       Sonic Window Air Deflector Smoke, HB Only.  GM Part Number:  95961276
       Sonic Center Cap.  GM Part Number:  96682160
       Sonic Fog Light Kit.  GM Part Number:  95950429
       Sonic Rear Bumper Protector, HB Only.  GM Part Number: 96696273
       Sonic Wheel Lock Set.  GM Part Number:  12498078


Chevrolet Europe Aveo/Sonic Exterior Accessory Part Numbers
       Chrome Side Mirrors.  GM Part Number:  95950260
       Chrome Fuel Door Cover.  GM Part Number:  95473309 (HB),  95473310 (Sedan)
       Chrome Grill Trim.  GM Part Number:  96696392
       Fog Lamp Kit.  GM Part Number:  95950434
       Headlamp Bezel Red Rings.  GM Part Number:  95950440
       Bumper Protection Cover Trunk Hatch Entry.  GM Part Number:  95984297 (HB),  95984298
       Bumper Molding Kit.  GM Part Number:  95985982 (HB),  95985979 (Sedan)
       Spoiler Kit Sedan Only.  GM Part Number:  95908897
       Roof Racks.  Europe Part Number:  EC95950258 (HB),  EC95950259 (Sedan)

Understanding the Z-Spec line and target audience, I felt it was time to jazz things up with an enthusiast version of the Sonic for those of us who desire more effective and practical styling.  Idea was to demonstrate a conceptual version of what a street tuned 2012 Chevy Sonic may look like.

For this project I called upon a photo-realistic, professional rendering artist, Mike Creighton of Rampant Renders to create a first of it's kind rendering of a street tuned Chevy Sonic.  First, let me just say Mike is not only a wonderful artist, but is a true professional!!  Now let's discuss some of the key features.  Our goal was to design a simple daily driver.  First you will notice the Sonic is painted in the soon-to-be released grey color.  The bumper is a completely new concept courtesy of Mike.  Wheels are similar to the design of the VOLK TE37V in Gun Metal with chrome lip.  The suspension was lowered to give a more stout effect.  Oversized intercooler up front.  Racing brake package with red calipers.  Smoke turn indicators.  Carbon fiber spoiler and front diffuser were added, and air ducts replace the stock fog lamp placement.  Also, for a nice finishing touch, the blue headlamp rings.  Now, only were in the market to produce a limited number of Sonics like this?  Who know's maybe something similar to the Volkswagen R32 line?  

About the artist.  From the beginning Mike clearly understood the vision and with minimal input and was able to design this rendering flawlessly and delivered in record time.  So, if any of you out there are looking to have a professional automobile rendering, for a very reasonable creative fee, then MIKE CREIGHTON of RAMPANT RENDERS is your man!  For contact information or to view more automobile renderings click here: www.rampantrenders.com

Please respect the copyright and artist integrity by citing all sources for the article and image!!!!  


2012 Chevy Street Sonic Rendering, by Mike Creighton of Rampant Renders.  www.rampantrenders.com

Chevy has recently updated the www.chevrolet.com website to include a fully function Sonic page.  They have also silently removed the Aveo from the cars section which is replaced by the 2012 Sonic.  While on the Sonic page individuals can learn about all the options, and build their own version.  The site features a number of interactive 360 tools of the exterior and interior.

To view more please click here: http://www.chevrolet.com/sonic-family/

September 4, 2011, on the CBS Sunday Morning broadcast there was a news report focusing on the current employment market.  One portion from that particular segment featured the GM ORION Assembly Plant, the manufacturing home for the all new 2012 Chevy Sonic.  Although the report was focused on an economic perspective, for those of us interested in Sonic news, there were some nice clips of the Sonic assembly line.

Video Link: CBS Report: Where Have All the Jobs Gone?  or full web link: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/09/04/sunday/main20101490.shtml

Looks like the recent Sonic webpage glitch gave birth to a new addition... a 2012 Chevy Sonic brochure.  Most important notation inside the brochure is the confirmation of two additional colors, CYBER GREY METALLIC and BLUE TOPAZ METALLIC, both of which will be made available at a later date.  This addition to the lineup is something that I know will make a couple people happy!
Get yours here: http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/mds/helpcenter/downloadBrochure.do