Chevrolet Aveo RS

General Motors pulled the covers off a distinctive hot hatch at the Detroit Auto Show 2010, called the Chevrolet Aveo RS.
The newly qualified driver who receives their first car is a rite of passage for many in North America, with small coupes and even pony cars particularly the preferred male choice. Hatchbacks are perceived as unfashionable and undesirable for many. But with development and petrol costs heading up, hot hatches that can be sold universally at premium prices make financial sense for manufacturers.

The situation for GM is not helped by a general perception that the Chevrolet Aveo has been a bit of a dud. With the RS show car concept, the designers hope to inject a bit of desirability and freshness.

It provides a preview of the next-generation model. Longer, wider and more spacious than the current production Aveo, the Aveo RS showcases the car's upscale-looking design cues both inside and out, and presents the many personalisation options potentially available on the next-generation car.

The Aveo RS is powered by an efficient 138-horsepower 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged engine. Despite the Stateside aversion to 'stick shifts', a six-speed manual transmission is designed to ensure the car will provide a spirited driving experience.

Finished in electric Boracay Blue, the RS wears Chevrolet design cues such as the dual element grille, round tail lamps and fender flares, but designers turned up the attitude on the show car with low openings and a lower mouth trimmed in a combination of brushed and polished aluminium. Outboard fog lamps are integrated into an exaggerated brake-cooling inlet that flows into the front fender flares, creating a more aggressive-looking face.

Exposed headlamps, with their brushed aluminium structural surround, are inspired by the designers' affection for motorcycles. The sleek side profile is characterised by uninterrupted body side lines, a high beltline and low roofline. The side mirrors with amber-coloured turn signal indicators carry the same shape as the car and seemingly disappear into the profile.

No performance-minded car earns its street cred without large wheels and tyres. The Aveo RS show car's wheels are 19-inch, five-spoke with a gun metal metallic finish Chevrolet logo. The wheel openings reveal large Boracay Blue brake calipers. The rear of the show car continues the sport theme, with an integrated spoiler that flows from the roof, a centre-mounted exhaust and chrome exhaust tips.

With its matte black interior highlighted by gloss black, metallic and blue accents, the Aveo RS show car reflects as much attention to detail as the exterior. The Boracay Blue theme continues inside, with accent stitching across the dual cockpit instrument panel, front and rear door insert, steering wheel rim, gear shift boot, parking brake, leather seat bolster and even the floor mats. The integrated centre stack holds the gearshift, HVAC controls and the sound system, including a USB port. Ice-blue backlighting on the audio display, telltale indicator screen and knobs augments the blue stitching.