Chevrolet Aveo RS at Detroit motor show 2010

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

11 January 2010 00:01

Chevrolet showed off its new go-faster rollerskate, the Chevy Aveo RS concept, at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). It's not that far-flung a show car, being based on the regular or garden Aveo – but pumped up with a sporty 1.4-litre turbocharged engine.

As transplants go, this is the future of performance cars even in the US, say GM types. While 'Vette buyers may still be able to plump for more cubes under the hood, the majority of buyers in future will have to be weaned on to downsized, turbocharged engines for their fix of ponies.

Chevrolet Aveo RS concept: the details

This is our first look of the next-generation Aveo, which will come to Europe in 2011. It's a supermini of classical proportions, but this one's pumped up for the full attention-grabbing motor show pricktease on home turf in Detroit.

The new 2011 Aveo is longer and wider than today's version and many of the personalisation options on this concept car will be borne through to production, says GM. The Aveo will become the latest in the new-generation Chevys for Europe, following in the tyre tracks of the Cruze and Spark.

That's quite a paint job on that Aveo RS!

It's called Boracay Blue and while the paint may be on the specials list, the dual element grille, inset round tail lamps and lashings of aluminium effect trim will be available on the 2011 showroom Aveos. And the rear door handles on this five-door are hidden – Alfa-style – in the C-pillar.

The General is keen to grow its small-car share in the rapidly downsizing US market; it previously launched a design competition for its Spark city car in America and showcasing the Aveo RS is a further litmus test for GM's small car ambition Stateside. Productions Aveos will be built not far from here in Orion Township, Michigan from 2011.

Inside the new Chevrolet Aveo RS

Our interior photo shows that this is more than just a far-out show car design – it all looks very imminent and ready to go. Being a concept car, it naturally has lashings of matching electric blue make-up scattered around liberally.

The powerplant sounds feasible, too: it's a 138bhp 1.4 petrol turbo, mated to a six-speed manual 'box. Just don't go expecting 19-inch wheels on the production Aveos. Not until they've been down Bob's gaffe under the Arches, anyway.

By Tim Pollard