Chevrolet Aveo brings surprising Innovation to Entry-level car segment

Expressive styling, surprising spaciousness, exceptional refinement, little extras that make a big difference: The recipe for the 2004 Aveo heralds a fresh alternative for entry-level car buyers. Add in Chevrolet value and dependability, and the Aveo sets a new standard for its segment.

“Aveo brings a big-car attitude to the small-car segment,” said Chevrolet General Manager Brent Dewar. “With Aveo, value-conscious customers don’t have to sacrifice the style, the safety, the room and the features that they want in a new car. Aveo provides them with a well-designed, practical choice that is also enjoyable to own and drive.”

The subcompact Chevrolet Aveo lineup includes both a four-door sedan as well as a stylish five-door. Each seats five adults and is available in three models: Special Value, Base and LS. While its size and maneuverability are ideal for city living, its capable highway manners and surprising interior roominess make it an excellent choice for a road trip.

A GM-proven E-TEC II 1.6-liter, dual overhead cam four-cylinder engine brings peppy performance to all models. The front-wheel-drive Aveo offers a standard five-speed manual and an available four-speed automatic with a “hold control” mode, which enables the driver to stay in the appropriate gear in conditions such as getting started on slippery roads or driving through hilly areas.

Production of Aveo is slated to begin in September 2003 at the GM Daewoo Automotive and Technology (GMDAT) assembly facility in Bupyong, Korea. Aveo is based on the GMDAT Kalos platform that has been well received in the Korean and European markets.

Aveo’s regional retail sales rollout will begin in December 2003 in key U.S. markets, including trend-setting California, with national availability following in January 2004. Aveo has the backing of Chevrolet’s outstanding network of 4,100 U.S. dealers. Aveo prices will start at $9,995 for a Special Value model, and the Base and LS models will be competitively priced. A well-crafted car, Aveo has outstanding fit and finish and extensive sound insulation to provide a solid, quiet ride.

Chevy product offensive

The introduction of Aveo is part of Chevrolet’s drive to deliver 3 million vehicles a year – up from 2.6 million in 2002 – and re-establish market leadership. “We’re in the midst of a major product offensive intended to return Chevrolet to its position as America’s favorite automotive brand,” Dewar said. The division recently introduced the 2004 Malibu sedan, Malibu Maxx extended sedan and Colorado midsize pickup, and will roll out the 2005 Equinox compact SUV.

The Aveo launch also plays a key role in Chevrolet’s effort to strengthen its presence in the small-car market, the second-largest passenger-car segment with about 28 percent of U.S. car sales. In recent years, the small-car market has evolved to include two distinct parts, an entry-level segment and a premium segment. Aveo will compete in the entry-level segment against vehicles such as Toyota Echo, Scion xA, Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent. Chevrolet will complete the one-two punch with the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, designed to compete in the premium small-car segment.

The entry-level segment is strategically important to Chevrolet and General Motors because it includes a large number of young, first-time buyers. Aveo’s mission is to create Chevy customers for life by providing a product, sales and service experience unmatched by any entry-level competitor. Chevrolet expects 70 percent to 75 percent of Aveo customers will be first-time new-car buyers.

Stylish design

Aveo’s understated lines, high roof, and short front and rear overhangs give it a sense of panache that is rare in cars of this class.

Created in Giorgetto Giugiaro’s renowned Italdesign studios in Turin, Italy, the five-door is a particularly striking design and an outstanding achievement in highly efficient packaging. While the sedan and five-door have the same wheelbase, the overall length of the five-door (152.8 inches) is nearly 14 inches shorter than the sedan and helps create a distinct profile.

Aveo’s design includes a number of uplevel touches, such as highly distinctive standard aerodynamic halogen headlamps with turn indicators underneath, amber side turn signal lamps, and jewel-like taillamps. While the design is international, Aveo also features distinctive Chevrolet cues, such as Chevrolet’s signature brand bar and gold bowtie.

Roomy interior

The Aveo carries five passengers comfortably, and its high roof and theater-type raised seating offer good visibility and one of the roomiest interiors in the segment. Aveo seating features a higher H-point (a measurement of the seating position relative to the floor) than other vehicles in its segment – 12.7 inches (323 mm) in front and 13.4 inches (341 mm) in the rear – enabling a more “command of the road” upright seating position for the driver and all passengers. This allows a comfortable seating posture without the need for a lot of fore/aft travel.

Drivers also have plenty of flexibility to select the most comfortable driving position with standard tilt steering, a seat with standard manual fore/aft, recline, seat height and headrest height adjustment. A 60/40 split folding rear bench seat has integral headrests on the sedan and separated headrests on the five-door.

Every Aveo has flexible storage, with a passenger seat-back pocket for items such as maps and magazines. The rear seat of the four-door folds flat to provide more cargo room and allow pass-throughs from the trunk. The five-door offers the only rear seat in the segment that both folds flat and also flips forward, yielding a segment-leading 42 cubic feet of cargo area and providing the ultimate flexibility in a small car.

The top of each front headrest integrates an accessory hook for suspending a shopping bag over the backside of the seat, and the driver-side door also provides a large storage pocket to carry miscellaneous items. A slot in the driver-side of the instrument panel provides a handy place to hold commuter or parking passes or toll road tickets.

Seat cushions and backs are constructed of high-density foam to ensure solid comfort and support, even on extended trips. Base and Special Value model seats feature standard fabric, while the LS models come with deluxe cloth covering.

A monochrome instrument panel with large, easy-to-read gauges is standard on base and Special Value models, while a two-tone IP is standard on LS models. The IP includes a tachometer, speedometer, odometer, trip odometer, fuel gauge and coolant temperature gauge, with a lighting dimmer control. The IP also provides a center storage tray, lighter, ashtray, extra 12-volt outlet for cell phones, digital quartz clock, and lighted glove box. Integral knee bolsters provide a safety feature for both the driver and passengers.

Materials and textures provide an uplevel feel, while circular elements set a recurring interior design theme that is reflected in air vents, cockpit displays, and fabric liners on the four doors.

More-than-expected standard amenities

Aveo offers a lengthy list of comfort and convenience features, including AM/FM stereo, tinted glass, a highly functional floor console with storage compartment, front roof radio antenna, two-speed variable intermittent wipers, rear window defogger, carpeting, floor mats, remote fuel-filler door and trunk releases, overhead courtesy lamps, day/night rearview mirror, driver and passenger visor vanity mirror, dual front cupholders, and a luggage floor mat.

Base models add air conditioning with cabin-air filtration, floor mats, plus available options such as automatic transmission and a CD player with MP3 playback capability. The LS models go a step further, with AM /FM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback capability, power door locks, power windows, remote keyless entry, body-colored dual folding outside heated rearview mirrors (passenger side power), and up-level seat fabric. Alloy wheels are also available on both the Base and LS models. Several other options will be available for orders placed in early 2004, including a sliding power sunroof, a six-speaker premium sound system, and an engine immobilizer for added security.

Powerful and nimble

Aveo combines its strong new designs with a powertrain and chassis providing refined, responsive performance and excellent fuel economy. Aveo features a peppy, E-TEC II 1.6-liter dual overhead cam 16-valve inline four-cylinder engine that delivers 103 horsepower and 107 lb.-ft. of torque. Fuel economy is estimated at 27 mpg in city driving, 36 mpg on the highway with the manual transmission, and 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway with the automatic.

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