CHEVROLET AVEO (Kalos) Sedan West Drive Sedan

Then I'll go alone ...

Russian sales of a new generation of Chevrolet Aveo are approaching. So far, it is only about the hatchback sedan will be later. The model was prettier in appearance and inside, became more powerful and got rid of its disgusting European twin
 
Chevrolet Aveo. Price: Not defined. On sale: since May 2008
Cars of this class are traditionally offered to young, energetic and active, devoid of family and economic encumbrances. The new Chevrolet Aveo hatchback violates this tradition. General Motors believe that it is quite suitable not only to young people, but also to family people. Is there any mistakes here? Let's try to figure it out!
We turn to history. Previously, small cars were not able to captivate someone with their appearance. Either automobile designers believed that for the flight of fantasy of small -leafers there was too little space, or their design was generally created according to the residual principle. Be that as it may, any small car released from the common gray mass had every chance to immediately become a classic!
Over time, compact cars have well. At first they ceased to be frankly ugly. And then they became even attractive! And Aveo-Hatchback is another representative of this newfangled design wave of sexual mini. I remember that at the last year’s car dealership in Frankfurt, three models were presented at the GM stand, declared as a possible replacement of the Chevrolet Spark subcompact. The concepts attracted a dynamic, even daring appearance. Everyone was solved in their own style, and near each there was a voting display. Visitors were invited to give preference to one of the options for the future Spark. And the appearance of the new Aveo clearly echoes the exterior design of one of the concepts. So there is every reason to believe that the aggressive appearance of the novelty was created taking into account the wishes of future owners.
The last time trend dictates a constant increase in specific power per liter of volume has more and more horsepower. Against the backdrop of this to the heart of each active driver of the trend, another wave was somehow unnoticed by an increase in specific functionality. The internal space of a modern car is calculated to the last centimeter. In the case of Chevrolet Aveo, such pedantry has many advantages. In the salon of a hatchback, four sledges will be placed without tightness. In the back seat you can squeeze and three, but already to the detriment of comfort.
Designers did not radically change the salon, limiting themselves to trifles, like an updated dashboard. Such constancy makes them honor: the ergonomics of the model remained at the same good level. Another stereotype regarding cars of this class is finishing materials. Usually they are, to put it mildly, poor. You can’t find Aveo in this matter: the materials are worthy, and the design design does not bring boredom.
Saying that Aveo is positioned as a car for a family, not least implies a trunk. If everything is assembled, including distant relatives, its volume is 220 liters. Modest? Very. It is better to go on vacation by train. You can, of course, fold the rear seat: in 980 liters, much more things fit. But then Voyage acquires an exclusively romantic status and does not imply witnesses.
For the latter case, a new gasoline engine with a volume of 1.2 liters is good. First of all, due to modest fuel appetite: 5.5 liters per hundred do not seem very costly for a young family. But you should not wait for crazy dynamics from the car. Even an additional 12 -horsepower increase in power does not help compared to the predecessor engine. However, everything is not so bad. The car can be very dynamic. It is only necessary to be immune to acoustic imbalance and more active to work with a 5 -speed gearbox. This work is rather pleasant than burdensome: the lever easily and clearly drives into the right grooves. And if you keep the working turns in the range of 30004000, Aveo runs very briskly. True, only if from the back seat numerous relatives do not prose with you. For a large family, there is only enough power for calm movement. But smooth. The suspension quite gently practices obstacles, without turning the ride into an endless concussion of internal organs. With only one but: invincible rolls regularly make themselves felt in corners.
Chevrolet Aveo managed to inherit in the global turns of the concern. So, before the version with the hatchback body in some European countries was called Kalos. The novelty corrected this misunderstanding, bringing all the options to the common denominator: Aveo and Point! GM believes that this will strengthen the company's position, and consumers will be able to easier to navigate in the market.
In our opinion, there is no error in the status that was determined for the new model in GM. Aveo hatchback fits into the ideas about the family car. Small dimensions will not create problems with parking in the yard or at the supermarket. And if you go to that store together, then the trunk will not make you refuse purchases. A spacious salon, including the rear seat, will not force relatives to grumble about a bad attitude towards them. The affordable price will not break through the large gaps in the budget, and an attractive design will not give a young family the impression that they have saved themselves.
In the process of localization
In May of this year, a 5-door Chevrolet Aveo hatchback will appear on the Russian market with 1.2 and 1.4-liter gasoline engines (84 and 98 hp, respectively). Despite the maximum power that had grown compared to predecessors, the fuel consumption of a 1.2-liter unit decreased 14% (up to 5.5 liters per 100 km), and 1.4-liter by 10% (6 l). Both engines are paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox, the latter can optionally be equipped with a 4-speed automatic, which will be available later. Diesel for the model is not provided. In June, a 3-door version of the car will be complemented by the model line. The sedan has recently been updated, so in the near future changes will not affect it.
Driving
The car is well controlled, but the engine requires constant doping in the form of high speeds.
Salon
The quality of the materials sets a favorable impression.
Comfort
Comfortable seats and soft suspension are well suited for long trips.
Safety
There are only two frontal eirbeg in the database. After the crash test of Aveo sedan according to the Euro NCAP method with a result of 1.5 stars for passenger protection, this is not enough.
Price
Not defined, but should not differ much from the predecessor.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ A comfortable salon with good ergonomics, modest fuel appetite, attractive appearance.
- A non -carved motor, a modest trunk.
Specifications
Mark and model- Chevrolet Aveo 1.2
Dimensions - 3920x1680x1510 mm
Engine - gasoline, in -line, 4 -cylinder; 1206 cm3, 84 hp/6000 min-1
Transmission - mechanical, 5 -speed
Dynamics - max 172 km/h; 13 s to 100 km/h
Competitors - Opel Corsa, Ford Fiesta
Our opinion
An economical and compact hatchback is organically pushed into the life of the city banned by transport. And the pleasant appearance and good running qualities of Aveo will not leave an indifferent young family with the budget that is formed. So the target audience is chosen by the manufacturer correctly.

Author: Dmitry Tytyuchenko
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [April 2008]