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GMI Drives: Souped Up Sonic RS
LAS VEGAS - More often than not, automakers typically use the SEMA aftermarket show as a springboard of glitz and glamor but fail to produce anything from the Vegas spectacle. Chevy, however, has bucked that unfortunate trend – sort of – with an amped up version of the Sonic small car.
During the 2012 SEMA show, Chevy showed off some Sonics with performance enhancements, something many of us in the enthusiast world have been advocating for since the car launched in 2011. At this year’s SEMA show, Chevy rolled out most of the Sonic production performance goodies and even let us take them for a spin.
Effective now, Sonic owners can purchase a variety of upgrades for their cars through Chevrolet Performance. The upgrades range from simple visual pieces like a spoiler or wheel kit, to a new stage kit for the car’s optional 1.4-liter turbo.
The particular Sonic we spent time with in Vegas had about every possible upgrade. Specifically, it had 18-inch wheels, larger front brakes, a faster-reacting suspension, a performance exhaust and most importantly, that engine stage kit.
Collectively, the whole setup lowers the Sonic RS (which comes from the factory already lowered versus the base model) an additional 10mm, while the stage kit boosts the Sonic an additional 10 horsepower to 148 and churns an extra 15 foot-pounds of torque, upping it to 163. Paired with the 18s and red brake calipers, the entire package becomes fairly attractive to look at, but even more fun to drive.
After starting the upgraded Sonic’s engine, anyone who has spent time with the more pedestrian version will know this isn’t that car. The little 1.4-liter turbo lets off an audible growl at idle thanks to the new exhaust. Proverbially, it sounds like one of those little dogs that is all bark and no bite, though the Sonic has a small bite to it.
Pushing it around a road course, the upgrades make worthwhile enhancements to a subcompact car already famed for its respectable driving dynamics. The lowered ride height and quicker suspension give the driver confidence to push the car harder through the bends and in slalom testing, the car exhibits less body sway and overall quicker times. While stock Sonics grip well for a subcompact car, the summer-only Hankooks GM had on our tester also provided a little more grip in the apexes and prevented the rear from slipping when driving within the confines of the chassis’ limit.
The power increase provided by the stage kit is also noticeable, specifically so at the bottom of the power curve. At launch, the newfound power shows by propelling Sonic off the line faster and with a louder tone. The power difference becomes diminishingly noticeable as the engine nears redline, however.
Getting the Sonic to redline is the six-speed manual in stock form. Unfortunately, there are no enhancements offered for it through Chevrolet Performance. Our RS tester’s gearbox is decent in stock form but the same gearbox on the lesser LT and LTZ trims is a bit like rowing gears through mashed potatoes – a small caveat to an otherwise shockingly dynamic car.
Overall, these Chevrolet Performance upgrades make for a compelling offer to Sonic owners. The stage kit is undoubtedly the headliner of the bunch; giving just enough of a power boost to make the Sonic a little more entertaining.
We still wish Chevy would produce a direct rival to Ford’s 197-horsepower Fiesta ST, mainly because, with comparable power, the Sonic would probably be the better driver’s car. Until a factory-derived badass Sonic happens, these accessories will allow Sonic owners to get closer to ST status without voiding their warranty.
See the below list of the parts with which our tester was equipped. All of the parts may be purchased through Chevrolet dealers, however the exact costs depend on the dealer.
Part # Detail
13254959 18" 5-spoke aluminum wheel
23142296 18" Tires
23444737 1.4L Turbo Stage Kit w/ High Flow Exhaust (Sonic RS)
23124391 Sonic Brake Caliper Kit
23158162 Sonic Performance Suspension Kit
GMI Drives: Souped Up Sonic RS
LAS VEGAS - More often than not, automakers typically use the SEMA aftermarket show as a springboard of glitz and glamor but fail to produce anything from the Vegas spectacle. Chevy, however, has bucked that unfortunate trend – sort of – with an amped up version of the Sonic small car.
During the 2012 SEMA show, Chevy showed off some Sonics with performance enhancements, something many of us in the enthusiast world have been advocating for since the car launched in 2011. At this year’s SEMA show, Chevy rolled out most of the Sonic production performance goodies and even let us take them for a spin.
Effective now, Sonic owners can purchase a variety of upgrades for their cars through Chevrolet Performance. The upgrades range from simple visual pieces like a spoiler or wheel kit, to a new stage kit for the car’s optional 1.4-liter turbo.
The particular Sonic we spent time with in Vegas had about every possible upgrade. Specifically, it had 18-inch wheels, larger front brakes, a faster-reacting suspension, a performance exhaust and most importantly, that engine stage kit.
Collectively, the whole setup lowers the Sonic RS (which comes from the factory already lowered versus the base model) an additional 10mm, while the stage kit boosts the Sonic an additional 10 horsepower to 148 and churns an extra 15 foot-pounds of torque, upping it to 163. Paired with the 18s and red brake calipers, the entire package becomes fairly attractive to look at, but even more fun to drive.
After starting the upgraded Sonic’s engine, anyone who has spent time with the more pedestrian version will know this isn’t that car. The little 1.4-liter turbo lets off an audible growl at idle thanks to the new exhaust. Proverbially, it sounds like one of those little dogs that is all bark and no bite, though the Sonic has a small bite to it.
Pushing it around a road course, the upgrades make worthwhile enhancements to a subcompact car already famed for its respectable driving dynamics. The lowered ride height and quicker suspension give the driver confidence to push the car harder through the bends and in slalom testing, the car exhibits less body sway and overall quicker times. While stock Sonics grip well for a subcompact car, the summer-only Hankooks GM had on our tester also provided a little more grip in the apexes and prevented the rear from slipping when driving within the confines of the chassis’ limit.
The power increase provided by the stage kit is also noticeable, specifically so at the bottom of the power curve. At launch, the newfound power shows by propelling Sonic off the line faster and with a louder tone. The power difference becomes diminishingly noticeable as the engine nears redline, however.
Getting the Sonic to redline is the six-speed manual in stock form. Unfortunately, there are no enhancements offered for it through Chevrolet Performance. Our RS tester’s gearbox is decent in stock form but the same gearbox on the lesser LT and LTZ trims is a bit like rowing gears through mashed potatoes – a small caveat to an otherwise shockingly dynamic car.
Overall, these Chevrolet Performance upgrades make for a compelling offer to Sonic owners. The stage kit is undoubtedly the headliner of the bunch; giving just enough of a power boost to make the Sonic a little more entertaining.
We still wish Chevy would produce a direct rival to Ford’s 197-horsepower Fiesta ST, mainly because, with comparable power, the Sonic would probably be the better driver’s car. Until a factory-derived badass Sonic happens, these accessories will allow Sonic owners to get closer to ST status without voiding their warranty.
See the below list of the parts with which our tester was equipped. All of the parts may be purchased through Chevrolet dealers, however the exact costs depend on the dealer.
Part # Detail
13254959 18" 5-spoke aluminum wheel
23142296 18" Tires
23444737 1.4L Turbo Stage Kit w/ High Flow Exhaust (Sonic RS)
23124391 Sonic Brake Caliper Kit
23158162 Sonic Performance Suspension Kit
