General Motors has officially yanked back the sheets on the newest sub-compact from Chevrolet, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The Sonic hatchback packs more back seat room than its Blue Oval competitor and, with the rear bench folded flat, delivers more cargo room, as well. Up front, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic benefits from a MacPherson strut design, while a torsion beam handles suspension duties out back. Stay tuned for live photos from the show floor of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show and hit the jump for the full press release. ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The only subcompact car being built on American soil will soon roll out of an assembly plant here in suburban Detroit that is as unusual as the car itself The production line has been squeezed into half the space of a traditional plant. One of the oldest axioms in the auto industry is that no company can build a subcompact car in the United States and make money because they are priced too low. The Ford Fiesta is built in Mexico. The Sonic will be G.M.’s littlest, and most fuel-efficient, conventionally powered vehicle. The U.A.W. tried to persuade the Ford Motor Company to build the Fiesta subcompact in the United States. Even an entry-level wage employee costs about $30 an hour in wages and benefits. While it is not the only factor in producing a profitable subcompact, lower employment costs were critical to the decision to build the Chevrolet Sonic in Michigan. In a groundbreaking labor agreement, the union allowed G.M. to pay 40 percent of its union workers at Orion Township an “entry-level” wage that sharply reduces overall production costs. “The entry-level wage structure was an important enabler, because obviously the smaller the car the less the margin,” said Ms. Tremblay. The smallest car in its lineup now is the Chevrolet Aveo, a subcompact developed by G.M.’s South Korean subsidiary. A version of the Sonic to be sold overseas will be built in South Korea.
The plant over all employs 1,800, a reduction of 25 percent. Overall capacity at the plant is 160,000 cars a year. Every dollar saved is essential for the Sonic to compete, auto experts said. And if the car is a winner with consumers — production begins in August — the Orion factory could become a model.
The 2012 Hyundai Veloster is an all-new hatchback model. Introduction Unlike the small access-style door found on the Mini Cooper Clubman, the Veloster's third door is a normal, front-hinged door; the exterior door release has been disguised to help keep the coupe look intact.
The front-wheel-drive Veloster will be powered by a 1.6-liter direct-injected inline-4 that's good for 138 horsepower.Hyundai Veloster is projecting a 40 mpg highway rating.
The new hatchback - uniquely configured with one driver door and two passenger doors - is parked on the low end of the model range, promoted as a compact coupe offering fun-to-drive chassis dynamics, a long list of standard innovative technology and hybrid-beating fuel economy in one cool-looking package.
2012 Hyundai Veloste (Rumor says that nobody outside Hyundai's inner circle has driven the Veloster and lived to talk about it.) While the exterior features more than handful of complex curves, from the cutout containing the standard LED running lamps to the lower bodyside door sculpture, Hyundai has still found room for its familiar high beltline A-line crease running from the front fender through the door handle.
First, let's talk about those doors. From the driver's side, the Veloster appears to be a coupe, with one large traditional entry door. The door opens and closes independent on the front passenger door - it is not a smaller "suicide" access door like those of the Mazda RX-8 or the Mini Clubman. To open the rear hatch, just find the handle conveniently hidden under the rear badge. Hyundai says the Veloster's total interior volume beats the current-generation Scion tC, Honda CR-Z, Mini Cooper hardtop and Mini Clubman, and we believe them.
We begrudgingly settle our six-foot, two-inch frame into the front passenger seat of the white Veloster - we want to be driving - with Krafcik (five-foot, ten-inches) at the wheel. Fellow Autoblog associate editor, Jeff Glucker (six-foot, three-inches) occupies the right rear seat.
2012 Hyundai Veloste reiterates that the design of its Veloster is inspired by high-performance sport bikes. The four-passenger Veloster (there are cup holders in the center of the rear bench) accommodates his frame nicely when the front passenger seat is moved up a few inches.
We depart the parking lot of Hyundai's Orange County headquarters and he immediately puts his right foot to the floor. In an attempt to demonstrate the Veloster's handling, Krafcik swerves abruptly left, right, left and then right again.
Most everyone, including Hyundai, brings up the old Honda CRX when discussing the Veloster. The Hyundai Veloster will likely deliver performance numbers comparable to the performance-oriented CRX Si of yore, but with much more interior room, refinement and better fuel economy – all while meeting much more stringent safety standards and offering a back seat.
evious decade, the first-gen er atio n Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Dodge 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 would be on it. (For more details on the new Hemi, check out our 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 test.) Status Elevated: The 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 (The Dodge should return identical numbers.) Even at 130 mph along the back straight—top speed is 175, says 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 remained firmly planted, and there was virtually no wind noise. Rounding out the SRT8’s performance enhancements are seriously beefed-up brakes. Other accents, including side-sill extensions, door handles, mirrors, and the rear spoiler, are painted body color. Out back, the rear fascia contains a darkened lower section punctuated by a pair of four-inch chrome exhaust tips. The SRT8 includes most every 300/300C option as standard. Now for Something Completely, Uh, Similar: The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 If for all of its dash the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 seems low on flash, behold “the outspoken one,” according to SRT CEO Ralph Gilles. Indeed, the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 couldn’t be more outspoken if Ann Coulter, Keith Olbermann, Rush Limbaugh, and Bill Maher were piled inside. The Dodge offers only one wheel design, a split five-spoke forged aluminum 20-incher with black painted pockets. But the Charger SRT8’s single greatest point of distinction from its Chrysler sibling is the controversial front end. (Of course, if you hate it, you could always just get your Charger SRT8 in black.) It represents a stark contrast to the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 reserved looks. Like the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 the Charger SRT8 offers the option of red-and-black seat hides, and likewise gets most of its lesser siblings’ available features as standard, although the equipment list itself varies slightly from that of the Chrysler. The Charger SRT8 is mechanically identical to the 300 SRT8 in every respect save the tuning of the active shocks, which are, not surprisingly, stiffer in the Dodge. Both SRT8 sedans feature an 8.4-inch touch-screen display that includes a “Performance Pages” function that displays vehicle performance data, including instantaneous g forces; lap times; eighth-mile, quarter-mile, 0-to-60, and 0-to-60-to-0 figures; braking distances and more. Speaking of purchasing, the Charger SRT8 will start at $46,620 and the 300 SRT8 at $47,995 when they arrive in showrooms this fall. VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan BASE PRICES: $47,995 (300 SRT8); $46,620 (Charger SRT8) TRANSMISSION: 5-speed automatic with manual shifting mode If we made a list of unforgettable cars of the previous decade, the first-generation Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Dodge Charger SRT8 would be on it. Status Elevated: The 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 Rounding out the SRT8’s performance enhancements are seriously beefed-up brakes. The SRT8 includes most every 300/300C option as standard. Now for Something Complet ely, Uh, Similar: The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 If for all of its dash the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 seems low on flash, behold “the outspoken one,” according to SRT CEO Ralph Gilles. Speaking of purchasing, the Charger SRT8 will start at $46,620 and the 300 SRT8 at $47,995 when they arrive in showrooms this fall. BASE PRICES: $47,995 (300 SRT8); $46,620 (Charger SRT8)
General Motors has officially yanked back the sheets on the newest sub-compact from Chevrolet, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The Sonic hatchback packs more back seat room than its Blue Oval competitor and, with the rear bench folded flat, delivers more cargo room, as well.
