Chevrolet has announced earlier this week that the upcoming 2013 Sonic RS will enter the production phase in the United States this October and soon after that it will hit the local dealerships with prices starting from $20,995 when fitted with the 6-speed manual transmission. The car is also available with a 6-speed automatic gearbox with a starting price of $22,280. Both price tags take into consideration the destination charges. This is the same engine found in other Sonic models, capable of pumping out 138 hp and a peak torque of 148 lb-ft (200 Nm). However, this hotter RS version of the Sonic has revised transmission gearing for the 6-speed manual unit, while the automatic one has a 3.53 final drive.
Aside from the gearbox changes, the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS has a stiffened suspension thanks to the performance-tuned dampers and it also sits 10mm closer to the ground. The stopping power is provided by the four-wheel discs with a 4-channel anti-lock braking system that should stop the car in time. On the outside we noticed that Chevrolet has modified the front bumper as it now has deeper side air vents, along with a new mesh grille available only on the RS model. It rides on 17-inch alloys and has a rear spoiler, side skirts and a chrome exhaust pipe.
Inside the cabin of the 2013 Sonic RS there are leather-appointed front bucket seats with red accents and sueded microfiber inserts, as well as a flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel, aluminum sport pedals, bespoke instrument cluster and for the manual model there’s a shift knob wrapped around in leather. As standard, the hot hatch is offered with a tilt-sliding sunroof and the MyLink infotainment system.
