Rumor: Chevy Sonic SS in the Works??

[laborsmith]

You read correctly. Which is why my posts regarding applying that emblem to a Sonic are so speculative.

On a personal note, I had no problem applying the SS emblem to the forced induction Cobalts, but for the life of me never understood (or accepted) applying them to the several non-FI Cobalts, sensing watering down the concept as only one of the reasons to question the decision. So I applaud Chevy for being careful how it is used.

In other words, I do not believe a Chevy has to have an eight cylinder engine in order to be an SS. But I do believe it should be a car and it should have something in the performance arena that sets it apart.

Laborsmith

 

[RS Turbo]

You read correctly. Which is why my posts regarding applying that emblem to a Sonic are so speculative.

On a personal note, I had no problem applying the SS emblem to the forced induction Cobalts, but for the life of me never understood (or accepted) applying them to the several non-FI Cobalts, sensing watering down the concept as only one of the reasons to question the decision. So I applaud Chevy for being careful how it is used.

In other words, I do not believe a Chevy has to have an eight cylinder engine in order to be an SS. But I do believe it should be a car and it should have something in the performance arena that sets it apart.

Laborsmith

What were your thoughts on the older 454 SS Trucks ?

 

[laborsmith]

I liked that Chevy named a version of the Silverado Intimadator but not that they used the SS emblem on it. That thought also applies to the 454. I also think of trucks as work vehicles not sport vehicles although I have (long ago) done my share of hill climbing for sport. And among my prejudices, I have yet to watch more than ten seconds of a truck race.

So every time I see a truck w/ the SS emblem I can not keep from laughing.

My thoughts and mine alone!

Laborsmith

 

[SonicChris]

This ^^^, they already lost respect when they threw it on the cobalt. first non v8 non rwd....

What about the Monte Carlo SS?
That aside they do need a more powerful version of the Sonic. The RS is a waste of time (imo). It's not enough of an upgrade over the 1.4t LTZ. It's not going to be able to compete with the Fiesta ST. The Fiesta ST is an evolution of a long line of hot hatch Fiestas not just something thrown together to pull in a market segment. It has a reputation to up hold on a global scale. GM needs to bring a well developed hot hatch to market if it seriously was to compete in the segment.

 

[LS1notFOUND]

I liked that Chevy named a version of the Silverado Intimadator but not that they used the SS emblem on it. That thought also applies to the 454. I also think of trucks as work vehicles not sport vehicles although I have (long ago) done my share of hill climbing for sport. And among my prejudices, I have yet to watch more than ten seconds of a truck race.

So every time I see a truck w/ the SS emblem I can not keep from laughing.

My thoughts and mine alone!

Laborsmith

Trailblazer SS:
http://www.gmperformancedivision.com/content/video/content/218/trailblazerSS_corvette.mov MAC

http://www.gmperformancedivision.com/content/video/content/218/trailblazerSS_corvette.wmv Windows

although yeah, better platforms for go fast

 

[RoXXXanne13]

all i can say is, it better be over 200hp, and better not be much more expensive than the ltz or rs now... i couldnt see paying 20k plus for a car ( an economy car at that ) that makes 130hp..

 

[Eric Smit]

all i can say is, it better be over 200hp, and better not be much more expensive than the ltz or rs now... i couldnt see paying 20k plus for a car ( an economy car at that ) that makes 130hp..

well one of those would be likely. I'll give you a hint; not the price.


-Eric Smit

 

[laborsmith]

all i can say is, it better be over 200hp, and better not be much more expensive than the ltz or rs now... i couldnt see paying 20k plus for a car ( an economy car at that ) that makes 130hp..

The new turbocharged 1.6L with direct injection will be used in Europe for two years before coming to the US. In its current form it is rated around 190 to 200 hp. GM has already said it will go into the Sonic (among other vehicles) and it will not go into the Cruze.

Laborsmith

 

[wingman]

1.6T with DI and only 190-200 hp from the factory....I wonder what BNR could do with that.

 

[Graham]

The Monte Carlo SS was a 190hp 305 lol!! Not deserving of the SS badge. Neither were the 1990 454ss trucks they were a weak truck motor.. needed a turbo or two and the 454ss would've been the baddest production truck of all time.. they had 8.5/1 compression so could handle some boost before detonation. Retarded TBI thou can't handle can swaps they wanted lots of vaccum at idle.
from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

 

[Graham]

I had one for like 6yrs.. did a motor swap out of a motorhome after some problems..

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

 

[laborsmith]

1.6T with DI and only 190-200 hp from the factory....I wonder what BNR could do with that.

Precisely. The weight would be not much more than what the RS is now. After Vince and Brian tackle it . . . whoa Nellie.

I look for a mid model year introduction so it would start in Spring 2015 as a 2015 but more likely Fall 2015 as a 2016.


Laborsmith

 

[firstorbit84]

Only 2 years behind Ford... Not bad.

 

[laborsmith]

That's GM for you. In my memory, the Mustang was introduced in the Spring 1964 as a 1965 model. Just over two years later, the first generation of the Camaro came on the scene.

The more things change the more they remain the same. I don't remember who said that.


Laborsmith

 

[lastcallbeechez]

the sonic has a great platform for a stronger engine. as far as the suspension is concerned, the twist beam is not a bad thing. i had a sentra spec v that had a slight tendancy to "unload" in mid corner, but with some stiffer springs it held the rear end down like kim kardashians seat belt. if (and i'm sure GM will have to) they stiffen the suspension a little more than they have in the RS and the opel 1.6t engine, it will be one dynamic little car. and yes, hit it with the SS badge. VW has the gti, ford has the st, and dodge has the... oh wait, never mind. lol. we gotta hit it with the badge synonymous with GM performance. viva la hot hatch!

 

[007CobaltLS]

Not sure if you're referring to Dodge not having a hatch or just not having the SRT yet..SRT should be out before anything from GM so GM will be the last to do it, however, I don't think it's always a bad decision...see what the competition does, hopefully one up it when it comes time to do something. Then again, makes for better sales for the competition in the first couple years for sure...so ehh.

 

[lastcallbeechez]

nah. i was referring to them not having a hatch. the srt4 was pretty cool though.

 

[007CobaltLS]

I didn't like the Caliber itself (had one for a week when my Cobalt was in the body shop when someone hit my rear quarter)...but I really did like the SRT4 version...suddenly the car didn't seem like crap anymore...no slow engine, ****ty CVT, totally cheap interior (worse than my Cobalt which is pretty bad all ready)...the SRT actually looked good, performed (obviously), and had a decent quality interior (for the most part).

I'm willing to bet that it's the same as my Cobalt...I hate my Cobalt now...after 5.5 years of owning it...I've gotten sick of the cheap quality interior and uncomfortable seats. But I'll bet if I were to go get an SS/TC or HHR SS, then I would be happy with it in so many ways that I can't be happy with this one.

This is my part of my reasoning behind wanting the RS for the Sonic...even though it doesn't have any advantage performance wise, it definitely will keep me more comfortable and I'll like the interior styling more so it will keep me liking it.

 

[firstorbit84]

You've waited this long, just wait for the sonic ss

 

[007CobaltLS]

Well I've got 3-4 more months to wait at least, so I may indeed wait longer.