Η Chevrolet παρουσίασε 5 βελτιωμένα Sonic στο Las Vegas. Το πρώτο είναι το Sonic All-Activity Vehicle, δημιουργία του Ricky Carmichael, οδηγό του NASCAR αλλά και νικητή στα X-Games. Φορά αεροδυναμικό bodykit με 18″ ζάντες, σπορ ανάρτηση και μεγάλα φρένα. Ακολουθεί το Sonic Super 4, μια αγωνιστική έκδοση του Sonic, με carbon bodykit, roll cage και σύστημα πυρόσβεσης. Τρίτο μοντέλο το Sonic Z-Spec concept που διαθέτει νέα γρίλια, γραφικά, νέο σπορ τιμόνι, σπορ πεντάλ και αλουμινένιο επιλογέα ταχύτήτων.
Το Sonic Dusk concept είναι βαμμένο σε μπλε χρώμα και διαθέτει σκουρόχρωμα φωτιστικά σώματα και 18″ ζάντες. Στο εσωτερικό έχουνε τοποθετηθεί δερμάτινα καθίσματα της Mojave, χρωμιομένα διακοσμητικά και νέο ηχοσύστημα. Τέλος το Sonic Boom concept διαθέτει custom βαφή και ένα ηχοσύστημα της Kicker απόδοσης 4.000 Watt. Περισσότερες λεπτομέρειες μπορείς να βρεις στο δελτίο τύπου που ακολουθεί.
[Πηγή: Chevrolet]
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Chevrolet Sonic Super 4 Concept – A Sonic for The Race Track
LAS VEGAS – Chevrolet unveiled the Sonic Super 4 at the 2011 SEMA Show, a race car concept that demonstrates Chevrolet’s new small car performance potential. It was conceived as an example of how the Sonic’s sporty driving character could transfer to the race track.
The Sonic Super 4 joins other Chevy performance cars this week in the Chevrolet display at the SEMA Show.
“This is an exciting example of Chevrolet’s small-car performance capability,” said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president, Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “Sonic has the soul and specifications to be a winner.”
From the factory, the Sonic is designed for a dynamic driving experience, be it on the street or road course. A 99.4-inch (2,525 mm) wheelbase and wide stance – 59.4-inch (1,509 mm) front and rear tracks – contribute to a more confident feel, while a strong structure enables greater suspension precision. Its body-frame-integral structure ranks among the stiffest in the global small-car segment, with some of the steel in it delivering tensile strength of 145,000 psi (1,000 MPa) or higher.
Complementing the strong body structure are suspension systems tuned for responsive ride and handling qualities. All models feature a MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs, stabilizer bar and side-load-compensated front strut modules. These are designed to reduce the sliding friction by the bending load on the strut that is inherent to most suspension geometries. Side load compensation, in turn, allows the front wheels to be moved further outward, which helps improve stability. The rear suspension incorporates a compound crank (torsion beam) design, with a double-wall, tubular V-shape beam profile with gas-charged shock absorbers.
The Sonic Super 4 concept features a suspension modified for racing and a lower restriction intake and exhaust system to provide enhanced on-track performance. The interior features a chrome moly roll cage built to SCCA specifications, as well as other safety equipment. It looks the part, too, with a lowered stance and 18-inch racing wheels and tires. It also wears Chevrolet Z-Spec concept accessories, including ground effects and a high-wing spoiler.
Chevrolet turned to long-time racing partner Pratt & Miller to construct the Sonic Super 4 concept.
“We are interested in how the Sonic Super 4 concept will be received by the racing community,” said Campbell.
Vehicle highlights:
Exterior
- Chevrolet racing graphics
- Carbon fiber lower splitter
- Carbon fiber rocker panel extensions
- Carbon fiber rear diffuser
- Tinted headlamps and taillights
- Concept Z-Spec high wing rear spoiler
- Tow hooks
- 18×7.5-inch satin black wheels with street-legal racing tires
Interior
- SCCA-approved 1¾ -inch chrome moly roll cage
- SCCA-approved inner and outer window nets
- Z-Spec pedal kit
- Racing instrumentation
- Racing seat with five-point harness
- Fire suppression system
- Rearview camera system
- Racing steering wheel with quick disconnect
Performance
- Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine and six-speed manual transmission
- Adjustable coil-over struts and spring kit
- Performance brakes: four-piston front calipers with two-piece drilled rotors, front; and two-piston rear calipers with one-piece drilled rotors, rear
- Low-restriction air intake and filter
- Two-inch cat-back straight-pipe exhaust
Chevrolet at SEMA 2011: Sonic All Activity Vehicle – Ricky Carmichael Concept
LAS VEGAS – When the Chevrolet Sonic’s designers sought inspiration for an all-activity-style concept for the 2011 SEMA Show, they found the perfect partner in Ricky Carmichael – the 15-time American Motorcycle Association (AMA) champion, three-time X-Games gold medalist and NASCAR racer.
When Carmichael is not racing for points, he’s pursuing his other passions, including bikes, boards and more. The fully customized Sonic All Activity Vehicle – Ricky Carmichael Concept is equipped for those adventures, with the storage capacity for his biking and wakeboard equipment.
“The car looks so cool, colorful and fun to drive,” said Carmichael. “I live my life on the go and this Sonic really represents that active lifestyle and my desire to have fun when I’m off the race track. The Sonic would be a perfect vehicle for someone who wants to get the most out of their time – and I also really appreciate how they we were able to incorporate my loyal sponsors into the design of the car.”
Carmichael was an AMA motocross national champion before he turned 20 and collected 15 championship trophies before heading into four-wheel competition in 2007. He’s been a strong competitor in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series ever since, where he was voted its most popular driver in 2009. He collected six top 10 finishes in the 2011 season.
The Sonic All Activity Vehicle – Ricky Carmichael Concept reflects the driver’s high-performance personality, with custom interior and exterior design cues, performance enhancements and an upgraded sound system. Carmichael was very active in developing the car, working with Chevrolet designers to convey his style and attitude.
“This car is an extension of Ricky’s distinctive personality, but it’s also a car rooted in reality,” said Dave Ross, GM design director. “The elements and components used to create it are largely based on accessories available for the Sonic, as well as other aftermarket parts. While this is a car created with and for Ricky Carmichael, new Sonic customers could easily create their own special all-activities vehicle.”
Elements of the activity-focused attitude are expressed with exterior highlights that include a THULE Roof Rack with an S-Works mountain bike and Hyperlite wakeboard, splash guards, custom wheels, special exterior graphics, as well as concept Z-Spec ground effects, Z-Spec grille and Z-Spec spoiler. The personality carries over to the inside, with aluminum shifter knob, racing-style flat-bottom steering wheel, all-weather floor mats, rear cargo organizer, unique seat trim and a Z-Spec pedal kit.
FOX Racing boardshorts material is used as trim on the door and seat inserts, along with green stitching accents, for a totally unique look and feel.
From a performance standpoint, this Sonic breathes through a Borla exhaust system and stops more authoritatively with Brembo brakes. Under the hood is the production 1.4L turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission.
Ricky wouldn’t have it any other way.
Vehicle highlights:
Exterior
- Blue Pearlized Satin Black exterior
- Number 4 hood decal
- Electric Green Ricky Carmichael signature on lower rear doors
- THULE roof rack with specialized S-Works mountain bike and Hyperlite wakeboard with custom graphics
- Splash guards
- Custom 18×8-inch wheels – gloss black with green lip
- Concept Z-Spec high wing spoiler
- Smoked lamp housings
- Concept Z-Spec ground effects
- Concept Z-Spec grille
Interior
- FOX Racing boardshorts material for the seat inserts
- Dark Green/Jet Black leather-trimmed instrument panel and door trim with Lime Green piping/stitching
- Satin chrome trim accents
- Ricky Carmichael signature with Number 4 on driver and front passenger seats
- Concept billet aluminum shifter knob
- Dark Green/Jet Black leather-trimmed flat-bottom steering wheel with Lime Green stitching
- All-weather floor mats
- Rear cargo organizer
- Concept sound system
- Chevrolet Accessories pedal kit
Performance
- Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine with six-speed manual transmission
- Performance lowering suspension kit
- Performance brakes – four-piston front calipers with two-piece drilled rotors and two-piston rear calipers with one-piece drilled rotors
- High-flow exhaust system
Chevrolet Small Cars Go Big at SEMA
LAS VEGAS – Chevrolet’s small cars have a big presence at the 2011 SEMA Show, with tricked-out Sonics and Cruzes showing off the personalization possibilities for a new generation of performance enthusiasts.
Most of the show cars wear conceptual Z-Spec styling enhancements, which are being evaluated for production. Z-Spec is a line of performance, styling, and personalization accessories available at Chevy dealerships.
The Sonic went on sale this fall and the Cruze, while being in the U.S. market for only about a year, has become Chevrolet’s best-selling car and the top-selling compact car in the United States calendar year to date. Both cars offer available factory turbocharged powertrains – with the Sonic offering the only turbo engine in its class.
“The heritage of Chevrolet cars like the Corvette and Camaro is being expressed in smaller packages for the next generation,” said Chris Perry, vice president, global marketing and strategy for Chevrolet. “The Sonic and Cruze concepts demonstrate that performance comes in all shapes, sizes and displacements at Chevrolet.”
As the only factory turbocharged vehicle in its class and aggressive design, Sonic is ideal for customization and performance – and that’s exactly what the distinctive show cars demonstrate at SEMA. Here’s a quick look:
Sonic Z-Spec #1 – Designers took a turbocharged Sonic five-door and dressed it with concept Z-Spec accessories. They added Z-Spec ground effects, a spoiler, unique grille and graphics package – then finished it off with a Torch Red exterior and Z-Spec concept 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Cobalt Red cabin features custom trim, including perforated black suede seat inserts, a Z-Spec sport pedal kit, sport shift knob and a racing-style flat-bottom steering wheel. Additional upgrades include performance brakes with four-piston calipers, a new high-flow exhaust system and performance suspension parts.
Sonic Z-Spec #2 – The next Sonic concept – in Flat White with Torch Red accents – builds on concept Z-Spec accessories with a more aggressive ground effects package, unique grille, rear spoiler and graphics package. It rides on Z-Spec concept 18-inch wheels and also includes a re-trimmed interior with Z-Spec sport pedal kit, Z-Spec sport shift knob and a flat-bottom steering wheel. It also features custom racing seats with the Z-Spec logo. The factory powertrain features the 1.4L turbo engine and six-speed manual transmission. Performance upgrades include brakes with four-piston calipers, a high-flow exhaust system and suspension parts.
Sonic Z-Spec 4D Concept – The more formal look of the Sonic sedan lends itself to a touring car-style motif, which this Ashen Grey Metallic concept picks up with concept Z-Spec ground effects, rear spoiler, grille, “Chevrolet” graphics and larger Z-Spec concept 18-inch wheels. As with its five-door counterparts, this Sonic features a re-trimmed interior – in Dark Titanium with Cobalt Red accents – Z-Spec sport pedal kit, aluminum sport shift knob and a flat-bottom steering wheel (trimmed with Cobalt Red suede). The factory turbo 1.4L engine and six-speed manual transmission are complemented by performance upgrades that include four-piston caliper brakes, a high-flow exhaust system and suspension parts.
Sonic Dusk – The most subtle of the Sonic concepts is the Dusk. It features a Berlin Blue exterior, with a mild concept ground effects package, unique grille treatment and 18-inch concept wheels in dark Galvano Silver. Even the lights are tinted blue for a sophisticated statement. The Mojave leather interior has custom seat inserts, Z-Spec shift knob with satin chrome trim, Z-Spec sport pedals and accessory interior trim kit. The Sonic Dusk also features a suede-trimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel, custom audio system and brake and suspension upgrades.
Chevrolet is keeping a few super-secret Sonics under wraps until the SEMA show, each representing an even higher level of performance and personalization.
Cool Cruzes
A pair of custom Cruze sedans demonstrates what is possible with conceptual accessories and a little creativity.
Cruze Z-Spec – Wearing concept Z-Spec ground effects, 18-inch custom wheels, an accessory spoiler and a high-flow grille, the Cruze Z-Spec has the looks and feel of a taut touring car. The exterior appearance of this Cruze is enhanced with a new stripe package that will be available soon, while on the inside are special seat inserts, a racing-style pedal kit, accessory shift knob and interior trim, as well as a new steering wheel.
Cruze Dusk – Complementing the Sonic Dusk concept, the Cruze Dusk suggests a more subtle and sophisticated approach to personalization, including a mild concept ground effects package, a unique grille treatment and dark-tinted wheels. The interior has custom seat inserts, along with an accessory shift knob, sport pedals, interior trim kit, a suede-trimmed steering wheel and a custom audio system.
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