Ladies and gentlemen, the new Chevy Aveo for the European market is proof positive the grass is not always greener on the other side (at least for now). Previously known as the Kalos in Europe, the new Aveo five-door should vaguely remind you of the same car sold in the U.S. as the Chevy Aveo5. Except, that is, for the hyperbolic front end with its gargantuan grille. When we first reported on the car prior to the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, there were actually many readers who commented on how much they liked the car's new looks. These people are more than welcome to move to Europe, as far as we're concerned. (I'm into my fourth stein at the moment, so excuse me for my frankness). The cherry on top of the Aveo's design is surely its fender vents, which tie with those on the 2008 Ford Focus for most useless.
What's worse, the Aveo is powered by your choice of a 1.2L producing 84 HP or a 1.4L producing 98 HP, neither of which is powerful enough to whisk you away from the pointing and giggling you'll encounter while behind the wheel. Chevy calls the interior "high-class", though we think you'll agree after seeing it in pictures that the wide expanse of unadorned black plastic says otherwise.
We said earlier that the grass isn't greener on the other side for now because, well, this car could be coming to the U.S. At the moment, both the U.S. and Europe are sold similar version of the Chevy Aveo four-door sedan. While Chevy still offers us the current gen Aveo5, there's a good chance it will be replaced with this one soon. Sigh...
PRESS RELEASE:
New Chevrolet Aveo: striking exterior, new entry-level petrol model
• Hatchback and notchback models to bear same name in future
• Striking exterior and high-class interior
• Two petrol engines with 84 and 98 hp; manual or automatic transmission
Zurich. Chevrolet Europe's success story began with the Kalos in 2002. In 2006, the compact-class model range was extended with the introduction of the Aveo hatchback wagon. Since 2002, GM's value brand has sold more than 381,000 vehicles in this compact series to customers throughout Europe. These key models have, in turn, made a significant contribution to Chevrolet's success in the first half of 2007, when the brand chalked up a total of 215,315 unit sales across Europe, achieving a market share of some 1.8 per cent – its best performance to date.
Chevrolet Europe will present the Kalos' successor at the Frankfurt Motor Show (13 to 23 September 2007). The most significant features of this completely reworked model are its striking exterior, its high-class interior and a new, even more efficient petrol engine. Like its notchback stable mate, the new hatchback model will now bear the Aveo name throughout Europe. The five-door hatchback model will be first to hit European showrooms (in March 2008), followed by the three-door model a few weeks later. Like all Chevrolets, the new Aveo will stand out for its excellent value for money.
The Aveo hatchback sports Chevrolet's new design features, as characterised by the big horizontally split radiator grille with a body-coloured crossbeam and the brand logo sitting prominently in the center. The dynamic detailing includes large, curved clear-glass headlamps and fog lamps that project like spotlights from the lower part of the bumper. The bonnet follows the lines of the radiator grille. Eye-catching contours, which flow from the bonnet to the A-pillar, highlight the sporty look.
Additional indicators in the side sections in front of the exterior mirrors enhance safety. In profile, the body's prominent shoulder lines catch the eye, as does their dynamic beading that sweeps from the front to the rear door. The back of the car is dominated by the solid bumper and the round tail lamps in a clear-glass housing.
The modern and high-quality instrument panel is divided into four chrome-trimmed controls and a centre console with striking air vents, a fully integrated audio unit, and large, user-friendly air-conditioning dials. The smooth plastic surfaces and the soft-touch finish of both the instrument panel and the upper half of the door panel are pleasant to the touch.
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