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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