We saw the concept car for the new Chevrolet Aveo at the 2010 Detroit auto show – and here’s a slightly less racy, taped-up prototype we spotted on winter test in chilly Sweden.
The current Chevrolet Aveo is basically a rebodied Chevrolet née Daewoo Kalos; so although it was only launched in 2008, it’s high time a modern-era Chevy supermini replaced it to sit alongside the crisp Cruze and Spark. This is that car.
New Chevrolet Aveo: what to expect
The NAIAS concept car provides plenty of clues to the new 2011 Aveo. It’s wider and longer than today’s ageing model, and many of the personalisation options of the show car will survive to production, promise GM types.
Expect a dual-element grille, inset round tail lamps and aluminium trim galore just like on the concept car. And is it just us, or are those flaps in the disguise designed to let testers use the Alfa-style high-mounted rear door handles? They were present on the concept and we’d bet they’ll appear on the production car too.
When can I buy a new Chevy Aveo?
Expect the new Chevy mini to be launched in 2011. Who knows, they may even do a hot hatch version. The concet Aveo RS sported a feasible-sounding 1.4 turbo from the Corsa/Astra family, sporting 138bhp and a six-speed gearbox.
The Aveo is in fact the second-biggest selling Chevrolet in the UK. It sold nearly 7000 in 2009, second only to the Matiz.