A new compact sedan that's likely to find its way to Canada wearing some badge or other in 2006 or beyond was unveiled this week at Auto Shanghai 2005, China's premier auto show this year.
It debuted as a Chevrolet Aveo and was developed in Korea by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology, which is already responsible for a few models that come to Canada but not the U.S. It's about the size of a Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla, but will cost less in this country. The current Aveo models all see for less than $15,000, so that should be a guide for the next one.
''The new Aveo is a perfect example of how GM is utilizing our global and domestic resources for the development of cutting-edge products tailored for local users,'' says Troy A. Clarke, GM group vice-president and president of GM Asia Pacific.
''From a styling point of view,'' says David Lyon, executive-director of GM Asia Pacific Design and GM Daewoo Design, ''this is a totally new car. We have given the exterior a more dynamic look, and the attractive interior has been improved significantly through the addition of a series of new comfort and convenience features.''
Lyon says that ''the result is a vehicle that will serve as a benchmark for exterior and interior craftsmanship. It is a product that will appeal to families and individual users alike who are looking for a small car that offers something more than the ordinary small car.''
The front and rear bumpers, radiator grille, headlights and taillights with cylinder-type lamps, outside rearview mirrors, long outside door handles, aluminum wheels and wheel covers have all been styled to differentiate the sedan from its hatchback sibling.
Troy believes that a sense of sportiness has been added by the inclusion of edged side character lines, hood character lines that extend to the front bumper, round fog lamps, an optional rear spoiler and 15-inch wheels.
Aveo has a wheelbase of 2,480 mm, a length of 4,310 mm, a height of 1,495 mm, and a width of 1,710 mm, and Lyon believes these numbers have a lot to do with creating a ''very generous interior'' for a vehicle of its footprint.
To that point, Clarke says the Aveo sedan offers headroom, shoulder room and hip room that are among the best in its class, and that the ''high seating position provides Aveo passengers a better view of the road ahead.''
GM has also loaded the Aveo up with comfort and convenience features, including tilt steering, a driver's seat armrest, seat-belt height adjusters, power windows and door locks, intermittent wipers, and remote controlled central door locking.
Troy believes that the ''use of wood grain accents on the door panels and instrument panel and optional leather seats provide a luxury feel.''
Aveo's trunk provides 400 liters of storage space with the seats up, and the split-folding rear seats increase the carrying capacity.
The front-drive Aveo has MacPherson struts in front and a torsion-beam suspension in the rear. ''The steering gear is situated on the front suspension cross-member,'' Clarke notes, ''which improves shock absorption and provides more precise and stable handling.''
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| Chevrolet Aveo (photo : General Motors) |
''The new Aveo is a perfect example of how GM is utilizing our global and domestic resources for the development of cutting-edge products tailored for local users,'' says Troy A. Clarke, GM group vice-president and president of GM Asia Pacific.
''From a styling point of view,'' says David Lyon, executive-director of GM Asia Pacific Design and GM Daewoo Design, ''this is a totally new car. We have given the exterior a more dynamic look, and the attractive interior has been improved significantly through the addition of a series of new comfort and convenience features.''
Lyon says that ''the result is a vehicle that will serve as a benchmark for exterior and interior craftsmanship. It is a product that will appeal to families and individual users alike who are looking for a small car that offers something more than the ordinary small car.''
The front and rear bumpers, radiator grille, headlights and taillights with cylinder-type lamps, outside rearview mirrors, long outside door handles, aluminum wheels and wheel covers have all been styled to differentiate the sedan from its hatchback sibling.
Troy believes that a sense of sportiness has been added by the inclusion of edged side character lines, hood character lines that extend to the front bumper, round fog lamps, an optional rear spoiler and 15-inch wheels.
Aveo has a wheelbase of 2,480 mm, a length of 4,310 mm, a height of 1,495 mm, and a width of 1,710 mm, and Lyon believes these numbers have a lot to do with creating a ''very generous interior'' for a vehicle of its footprint.
To that point, Clarke says the Aveo sedan offers headroom, shoulder room and hip room that are among the best in its class, and that the ''high seating position provides Aveo passengers a better view of the road ahead.''
 |
| Chevrolet Aveo (photo : General Motors) |
Troy believes that the ''use of wood grain accents on the door panels and instrument panel and optional leather seats provide a luxury feel.''
Aveo's trunk provides 400 liters of storage space with the seats up, and the split-folding rear seats increase the carrying capacity.
The front-drive Aveo has MacPherson struts in front and a torsion-beam suspension in the rear. ''The steering gear is situated on the front suspension cross-member,'' Clarke notes, ''which improves shock absorption and provides more precise and stable handling.''