Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec Concept Bows in Detroit

Making its world premiere alongside the regular variants of the all-new Chevrolet Sonic sub-compact at the Detroit Show today is a Z-Spec-badged concept study of the five-door hatchback model.

In a similar fashion to the Z-Spec 2011 Cruze , Volt and Spark minicar displayed at the SEMA Show last November, the Sonic Z-Spec demonstrates a possible lineup of factory-engineered accessories. The parts seen on the concept could be purchased individually, to suit customer tastes and budgets, but could also spawn a limited-edition version from Chevrolet in the near future.

The Detroit Show study is finished in a black paint job with contrasting orange details such as the BBS alloy wheels, the front grille surround, the upper part of the mirrors and the roof wing, plus the racing stripes. The car is also fitted with a body kit that comprises of a front and rear apron, and side skirts, while the larger chrome exhaust tail pipe completes the look.

Inside, the Sonic Z-Spec features a two-tone color theme with beige leather sports seats, steering wheel accents and gearbox, complemented by a piano black trim on the center console and doors.

Chevrolet has not yet issued a release on the performance upgrades, but judging from the aftermarket partners featured on the labels just above the rocker panels, the Z-Spec model should feature Brembo-sourced brakes, a Borla sport exhaust system, a K&N filter and a sport suspension from Pedders.

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James Robbins’ Corvette Design Study: Close But No Cigar

Here at Carscoop, we love us some Corvette design studies. Heck, if we wanted to we could probably serve up a new one every day of the week.

Today’s CAD mock up comes from transportation design student James Robbins. Think of it as a C6.5, a stopgap measure between the current gen Corvette and a future C7 model. The design brief required Mr. Robbins to use the basic proportions of the C6, which limited what could be done with the design.

Now here’s my two cents:

I find the shape of the bootlid and the V-shaped side intakes to be quite pleasing to the eye, but the ugly Dodge Viper / Ferrari 458 Italia taillights don’t fit the car at all. Also, the front end styling is a bit too conservative and I feel that more could have been done with the glasshouse. The overall design is good but it’s hard to say if that’s due to Mr. Robbins’ tweaking or the C6’s nice proportions.

I can’t help but feel that with a little more work around the head- and taillights, this could have been a real stunner. As it stands, it’s a good effort though just not quite there. But don’t take my word for it. Voice your own opinion in our comments section.

By Tristan Hankins

Designer: James Robbins , Via: Yankodesign

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Chevrolet Cobalt Coupe Concept by David Cardoso

In sedan form, the Chevrolet Cobalt will soon be replaced in the U.S. by the not-so-new for most readers, Cruze, which was formally introduced in production guise at the 2008 Paris Show, and went on sale shortly after in numerous markets around the world aside from the States. But what about the Cobalt Coupe? Will we see GM presenting a successor to the two-door version of the compact model?

It's very likely as in a recent webchat on GM's Reinvention site, Mark Reuss, the man in charge of the automaker's core North American operations, strongly suggested that a coupe variant of the Cruze could be on the horizon.

And while most of us would assume that a coupe model would basically translate to a reshaped Cruze with two-doors less and perhaps a sportier roofline and other unique styling cues, independent designer David Cardoso has a different idea in mind.

Cardoso, who you may remember from the sporty-looking 2012 VW New Beetle study, sent us these photos of a standalone coupe model that continues the use of the Cobalt nameplate.

His design proposal mixes elements from Chevy's new styling language up front as seen on the Cruze and Aveo RS Concept with a Corvette-like rear end. In our opinion, the design study would look better with a lower roof (along with the extension of the front window panes to the same level as the rear windows) and pillar-less doors. Click on the photos for a larger view and tell us what you think.

All Photos Courtesy of David Cardoso

Corvette Stingray Roadster and Possibly Ferrari 458 Caught on Set of Transformers 3

The new roadster version of the Corvette Stingray was caught on video along with the Bumblebee Camaro and what appears to be a Ferrari 458 Italia during filming of the Transformers 3 movie. In the previous Transformers film, the tin-top Corvette Stingray coupe took the form of Sideswipe. We're still short on details, but we assume that the roadster model will reprise the same role. The next Transformers movie is scheduled for release in July 2011. Watch the video clip after the break.

Source: Youtube

Official: Chevrolet Orlando MPV and Camaro Coupe and Convertible Models Coming to Europe in 2011

Chevrolet officially confirmed today that it will launch five new models in Europe next year including an all-new family minivan based on the 2008 Paris show Orlando concept car, the production version of the Aveo RS concept (most likely in hatchback and sedan guises) and, yes, you guessed it, the Camaro in both coupe and convertible body styles that will serve as the firm's 'halo' car.

"After Cruze in 2009 and Spark in 2010, our centenary year 2011 will usher in five more exciting Chevrolets for Europe," said Chevrolet Europe president and managing director Wayne Brannon.

European consumers will get a taste of Chevy's future offerings at the Geneva Salon as the firm will show off the Orlando concept alongside the Camaro and the Aveo RS, which will have its European premiere after its world debut at the North American International Auto Show last month.

It is expected that Chevy will introduce the production versions of both the Orlando MPV and the Camaro Convertible by the end of the year.

The Orlando MPV will most probably keep the near-production concept study's seven-seat layout with the European lineup including several gasoline and diesel engines.

No specific details were released about the Euro-spec Camaros, and even though there has been talk in the past of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine churning out around 260HP, unfortunately for those living in European countries that base tax on engine displacement, chances are that Chevy's muscle car will be offered with the same 304HP 3.6-liter V6 and 426HP 6.2-liter V8 engines as the North American model.

As for the Aveo, the sporty concept version of the supermini is powered by a 138-horsepower 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged gasoline engine linked to a six-speed manual gearbox.

"The Aveo RS clearly demonstrates that we are ready to make a big step forward in the small-car segment," said Brannon. "Coming to Europe in 2011, the new Aveo will be completely in tune with the striking new Cruze and Spark, our all-new compact and mini entries," added Chevy's European boss.

Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept Previews GM's New Ford Fiesta Rival

The 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week will host the world premiere of the Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept car handing us our first look at the next-generation Aveo that will be sold on both sides of the pond competing with superminis like the Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris.

Longer, wider and more spacious than the current production Aveo, the five-door concept adopts several styling cues including the dual element grille, round tail lamps and fender flares from other Chevrolet models such as the Spark and Cruze.

Being an RS version, the concept model sports several unique features like the 19-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels that cover the large Boracay Blue brake calipers, a roof spoiler, a specific front bumper with large air vents, exposed motorcycle-inspired rear taillamps that feature tinted aluminum housings and a rear diffuser with a center-mounted exhaust and chrome exhaust tips.

Though virtually production ready, the concept model's interior has been adorned in leather with contrasting blue stitching, special decorative trim and a pair of sport front seats.

Under the hood, the Aveo RS houses the same 138-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four Ecotec engine that will be available in the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze. Power is transfered to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

Needless to say, the series production model will be far less aggressive in the details inside and out, though there is a chance that we might see a similarly styled and powered sporty RS model added in the Aveo's range.

GM said that the production Aveo will be manufactured at its Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Michigan starting from 2011.