The sportier looking 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS equipped with GM’s 1.4-liter Ecotec turbocharged gasoline engine will begin production in U.S. this October and arrive in dealerships shortly after with a starting price of $20,995 when equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox.
If you prefer not to press a clutch to change gears, there’s also a six-speed automatic transmission version priced at $22,280. In both cases, the price includes destination charges.
While the turbocharged engine produces the same output of 138-horsepower and peak torque of 148 lb.-ft. (200 Nm) as it does in other Sonic models, the RS variant gets a unique transmission gearing in the six-speed manual, and a 3.53 final drive ratio for automatic-equipped versions.
Other mechanical upgrades include a 10mm lowered and stiffened suspension with performance-tuned dampers and four-wheel disc brakes partnered with a four-channel anti-lock braking system.
The standout exterior features of the Sonic RS include a reworked front bumper with deeper side air vents, a bespoke mesh grille, 17-inch wheels, side skirts, a rear spoiler and a chrome exhaust pipe.
Inside, Chevy has adorned the RS with leather-appointed front bucket seats with sueded microfiber inserts and red accents, a three-spoke steering wheel with a flat bottom design, leather-wrapped shifter knob with red stitching for the manual model, aluminum sport pedals and specific instrument panel cluster graphics.
Standard features include the MyLink infotainment system and a power, tilt-sliding sunroof.
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