GM Shows Tuned Sonics, Notify The Cruze Concepts

General Motors to rely on its portfolio of magazines, small cars continues to increase its sales in North America and aftermarket SEMA next week in Las Vegas, Detroit-based automotive presents the customization capabilities of its sub-compact sedan Chevrolet Cruze and Sonic with a series of concepts.

Currently GM has shared some preliminary information on some of the concepts, it will show in Las Vegas with a handful of images of two sedans as Sonic.

Most of the conceptual prototypes wearing the Z-Spec shares styling, GM says it is currently being evaluated for production. Chevrolet has also been shown to Sonic Z-Spec concept at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year.

Sonic and Cruze is also present in the so-called treatment "Twilight", which GM says is a more subtle approach to tuning.

For more details on the first set of concepts, scroll down to read the information provided by GM's press release.

 

[From GM Press Release]

Sonic Z-Spec #1 – Designers took a turbocharged Sonic five-door and dressed it with concept Z-Spec accessories. They added Z-Spec ground effects, a spoiler, unique grille and graphics package – then finished it off with a Torch Red exterior and Z-Spec concept 18-inch wheels.

Inside, the Cobalt Red cabin features custom trim, including perforated black suede seat inserts, a Z-Spec sport pedal kit, sport shift knob and a racing-style flat-bottom steering wheel. Additional upgrades include performance brakes with four-piston calipers, a new high-flow exhaust system and performance suspension parts.

Sonic Z-Spec #2 – The next Sonic concept – in Flat White with Torch Red accents – builds on concept Z-Spec accessories with a more aggressive ground effects package, unique grille, rear spoiler and graphics package.

It rides on Z-Spec concept 18-inch wheels and also includes a re-trimmed interior with Z-Spec sport pedal kit, Z-Spec sport shift knob and a flat-bottom steering wheel.

It also features custom racing seats with the Z-Spec logo. The factory powertrain features the 1.4L turbo engine and six-speed manual transmission. Performance upgrades include brakes with four-piston calipers, a high-flow exhaust system and suspension parts.

Sonic Z-Spec 4D Concept – The more formal look of the Sonic sedan lends itself to a touring car-style motif, which this Ashen Grey Metallic concept picks up with concept Z-Spec ground effects, rear spoiler, grille, “Chevrolet” graphics and larger Z-Spec concept 18-inch wheels. As with its five-door counterparts, this Sonic features a re-trimmed interior – in Dark Titanium with Cobalt Red accents – Z-Spec sport pedal kit, aluminum sport shift knob and a flat-bottom steering wheel (trimmed with Cobalt Red suede).

The factory turbo 1.4L engine and six-speed manual transmission are complemented by performance upgrades that include four-piston caliper brakes, a high-flow exhaust system and suspension parts.

Sonic Dusk – The most subtle of the Sonic concepts is the Dusk. It features a Berlin Blue exterior, with a mild concept ground effects package, unique grille treatment and 18-inch concept wheels in dark Galvano Silver. Even the lights are tinted blue for a sophisticated statement.

The Mojave leather interior has custom seat inserts, Z-Spec shift knob with satin chrome trim, Z-Spec sport pedals and accessory interior trim kit. The Sonic Dusk also features a suede-trimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel, custom audio system and brake and suspension upgrades.

Chevrolet is keeping a few super-secret Sonics under wraps until the SEMA show, each representing an even higher level of performance and personalization.

Cool Cruzes

A pair of custom Cruze sedans demonstrates what is possible with conceptual accessories and a little creativity.

Cruze Z-Spec – Wearing concept Z-Spec ground effects, 18-inch custom wheels, an accessory spoiler and a high-flow grille, the Cruze Z-Spec has the looks and feel of a taut touring car. The exterior appearance of this Cruze is enhanced with a new stripe package that will be available soon, while on the inside are special seat inserts, a racing-style pedal kit, accessory shift knob and interior trim, as well as a new steering wheel.

Cruze Dusk – Complementing the Sonic Dusk concept, the Cruze Dusk suggests a more subtle and sophisticated approach to personalization, including a mild concept ground effects package, a unique grille treatment and dark-tinted wheels. The interior has custom seat inserts, along with an accessory shift knob, sport pedals, interior trim kit, a suede-trimmed steering wheel and a custom audio system.

 

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GM Insists it Will Sell 10,000 Volts this Year but the Numbers Don’t Seem to Add Up

Earlier this week, General Motors has released its U.S. sales results in September. And the numbers look good deliveries increased by 20% compared with September 2010, while the rest of the best selling compact cars in the country Cruze.

However, despite all this euphoria, GM is actually facing a small problem though was initially set the goal of delivering 10 000 units of its hybrid Volt in late, it is very unlikely that such this goal will be achieved.

Until the end of August, was just over 3000 volts sold. If we add 723 deliveries in September so we have a total of 3895 units. Since time is short, the 6105 Chevrolet sell more cars by the end of the year - an average of 2035 units per month from now until the end of December.

In August only sold Nissan Leaf Volt with more than four to one (300 vs. 1,300 units). GM spokesman Rob Peterson remains optimistic: "I see no problem in achieving our goals," he said.

Peterson says that GM is only now that accelerates the production of and access to extended hybrid. Volt was initially available in seven markets, but in the future is to sell 2600 Chevrolet dealerships in all 50 states.

To achieve this goal, GM was forced to halt its plant in Detroit to four weeks to make updates, so that it can crank out more vehicles. This was necessary because of all the different faces in the Opel Ampera will be produced at the plant in Detroit.

Peterson, therefore, indicated that this is not the lack of interest from buyers, but the shortage of inventory Volt sales limited so far - and is about to change quickly: "Despite being sold only in seven states have found a home Volts in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. They want so badly the car you are buying and shipping across oceans and continents. "

There is another role playing Volt in the big picture of things and work to the advantage of GM is a "halo" car people out in Chevrolet showrooms.

"Of the original batch of Volt owners had about half did not find a Chevrolet dealer for eight years. And one third of them had ever, "Peterson noted.

In addition, customers can initially developed by Volt end up buying other models like the Cruze compact sedan has been a success so far.

However, moving in 6000 three months will have a lot of effort, and perhaps stronger incentives if Chevrolet wants to get anywhere near that number.

Story References: Chicago Tribune & General Motors

 

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