Geneva 2008: Chevrolet Aveo 3-Door
by Damon Lavrinc on Mar 5th 2008 at 9:31AM 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Chevrolet Aveo Three-Door.
What more can be said about the Euro-market Chevy Aveo three-door? Fortunately, not much. The new Aveo gets the reworked front fascia, complete with Anime eyes and gaping maw, while the shallow accent lines that flank the doors angle slightly higher to conform to the three-door's shorter shape. Aside from the much-despised fake fender vents, it's not a bad looking runabout. And with a choice of either an 84 hp, 1.2-liter or a 101 hp 1.4-liter four driving the front wheels, what it lacks in style it makes up for in fuel economy.
Hit the jump to read Chevy's press release on the new Aveo three-door.
Gallery: 2008 Chevy Aveo 3-Door (Europe)
PRESS RELEASE
New three-door Chevrolet Aveo: World premiere in Geneva
Market launch in June
Zürich/Geneva. The new three-door Chevrolet Aveo celebrates its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show (March 6–16, 2008). With this debut, Chevrolet is consequently renewing its successful compact class family. The five-door version that premiered at the Frankfurt Show in September 2007 will go on sale in March. The most significant features of both models are their striking exterior, high-class interior and a new, even more efficient gasoline engine. Like its notchback stable mate, the new hatchback models will now bear the name Aveo throughout Europe. European dealers will have the dynamic three-door hatchback in their showrooms from June 2008.
Buyers will have a choice of two gasoline engines: a new 1.2-litre unit, now with two overhead camshafts and an output of 84 hp, and the upgraded 1.4-litre engine, which now develops 101 hp. The bigger unit is available with automatic transmission. Both engines are even more frugal than their predecessors when it comes to fuel consumption. For example, despite the fact that its performance has improved by 12 hp, the basic engine will now need roughly 14 per cent less fuel in the MVEG fuel efficiency comparison.
The Aveo is playing a key role in the success story of Chevrolet Europe: Over 440,000 cars of the compact-class family have been sold since 2002. With a 25 % share of the model mix (2007), it is also the biggest seller in the Chevy range.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Taylor 9:34AM (3/05/2008)
The Malibu grille only works for so long...
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Dazza 10:16AM (3/05/2008)
It isn't a Malibu grille. The grille design adopted by the Malibu and the Aveo comes originally from the WTCC Ultra concept of 2006.
Mattias 9:34AM (3/05/2008)
Really ugly. The worst thing: A Hyundai Accent with better finish is not more expensive and for about 1000 or 2000€ more you get a Peugeot 207 or Fiat Grande Punto with better styling, better solution in details and better engines.
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FrankTheCrank 11:16AM (3/05/2008)
Are you talking about the emaciated crack whore or the car?
Mehul 9:40AM (3/05/2008)
That woman looks mean... Just like the car
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Rick 4:06PM (3/05/2008)
So then the logo just had to go square centered on the font bumper as opposed to in the grill like 100% of the other car makers? That's looks dumb. Those aren't fender vents, they are obviously windsheild vents!
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MemphisNET 9:56AM (3/05/2008)
I don't think it looks too bad. But why does it seem like more and more manufacturers are trying to make fake vents and scoops (Focus, Tundra etc)
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Larico Brown 9:58AM (3/05/2008)
The ford Fiesta still looks better, this here dont stand a chance.
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TriShield 9:58AM (3/05/2008)
Great, another crappy Korean Chevy.
GM's emphasis on releasing endless trucks, SUVs and crossovers is going to sink the company.
Why haven't they put the effort they did in the CTS and their trucks into competitive small cars? If they did they would be in massively better shape for increasing fuel prices and the exodus from trucks and SUVs.
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espo19047 11:42AM (3/05/2008)
Is the Aveo is the #1 selling car in its class worldwide?
MoonRover 12:20PM (3/05/2008)
I drove an AVEO for 3 weeks waiting for my new Sierra, and I can tell you I got better than 35mpg with a heavy foot. Those that are trashing this car apparently have never driven one or need mental help, it's a nice little car for the buck..... Some of you that are still on your two wheelers really should grow-up, big boys know better than to smack talk. If the jobs picture in this country doesn't improve, many of you may never be able to afford an AVEO, much less those cars you continually praise.
Cire 10:00AM (3/05/2008)
This thing will look real sad when parked next to the Mazda2 or upcoming Ford Fiesta.
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Dazza 10:19AM (3/05/2008)
What won't be sad is that the Aveo will likely cost the equivalent of US$2-$3K less than the Fiesta and other modern European rivals, as is the case with the current Chevrolet Kalos.
Furthermore, now you get the budget pricing with modern 84bhp 1.2 and 101bhp 1.4 litre engines - right up there with the mainstream competition.
PJ 10:05AM (3/05/2008)
Ergh. Actually, I'm surprised at how inoffensive the three-door turned out. Maybe it's the shorter perceived length, but those wheels look less like a shopping trolley's than I anticipated.
There's still no reason anyone should buy one in Europe, with the wealth of more-stylish, more-efficient, better-handling hatches at the same price point.
I'm still pissed that this new plankton-feeding Aveo will soon become the baseline rental at my local Enterprise office. At least in the Cavalier I could travel in anonymity, if not dignity... now there's no choice but to upgrade.
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why not the LS2/LS7? 12:04PM (3/05/2008)
Last time you rented the Cavalier was the baseline? That shows how long it's been since you rented. The Cavalier has been out of production for years now. The Cobalt replaced it. I wouldn't mind a Cobalt once actually.
But the last couple baseline cars I got were Focuses (which pretty much suck in rental car trim) and Mitsu Lancers.
PJ 3:48PM (3/05/2008)
I've rented my share of Aveos (or upgraded to something else, depending on my self-esteem at the time), and found the 04-06 hatchbacks to be just this side of bearable.
The '08 hatch is the one I must decline to drive. I know it's shallow. That mega-schnoz is just hideous.
BTW, I've had a couple Cobalts and find it a perfectly agreeable car-as-appliance. It's not nearly as bad as some think. I just wish it got better mileage.
Sean 10:20AM (3/05/2008)
Honestly, I've heard nothing but bad things about the Aveo's fuel economy.
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Xcountryflyer 11:25AM (3/05/2008)
My friend bought one used and is lucky to get 30MPG on the highway. I get that MPG in town with my 97 commuter Nissan with 176K on the odometer.
The Aveo is a rental penalty box and the tired poser fender vents on cars have to go.
I suppose when you don't have tons of money to develop your own decent car, you might as well gloss up a pig and sell it.
why not the LS2/LS7? 11:29AM (3/05/2008)
That's the US Aveo. The stick didn't have the right gear ratios and so had horrible highway mileage (the auto did okay).
But as we know from plenty of other vehicles, the European version may have different ratios or a different gearbox entirely.
Xcountryflyer 1:22PM (3/05/2008)
My friend drives an auto US Aveo.