Not you father's econobox, this is the production version of the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo.
What’s happened to the econobox?
U.S. motorists on the budget traditionally had two options: get something used or plunk your limited cash down for a stripped-down form of basic transportation. But suddenly, the classic, cheap-and-cheerful economy car doesn’t quite look so cheesy anymore.
We’ve been seeing a lot of examples of this new world order, in recent months, notably including such models as the Ford Focus and Fiesta, as well as the next-generation Chevrolet Aveo, a concept version of which General Motors pulled the lid off at the recent Detroit Auto Show.
The 2011 Chevrolet Aveo features a decidedly well-executed interior, with a distinctive, assymetric gauge package.
Now, we can show you the real thing, thanks to the maker’s Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, who revealed the production version of the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo during a West Coast presentation.
Coming out of last year’s bankruptcy, GM realizes it can no longer pump out products that people will only buy when you drop thousands of dollars in incentives onto the hood. These pics suggest that the next-gen Aveo will have plenty to win over potential buyers based on its basic merits.
The exterior design is surprisingly strong. There’s a wee hint of Volvo, curiously, in the way the hood slopes and the wraparound lamps frame the grille. The coupe-like roofline adds a more sophisticated touch, as well.
The interior is even more distinctive, with a two-tone design in which the instrument panel flows into the front door panels. The remote controls on the steering wheel held keep your eyes on the road…though you may find them drawn to the distinctive, assymetric gauge package, which appears to float over the steering column, and which gives the cabin the sort of high-tech feel young buyers will likely appreciate.
The overall appearance gives the 2011 Chevy Aveo a much bigger visual feel than the old car – or some of the sedan’s key competitors, like Toyota’s Yaris, Nissan’s Versa, Honda’s Fit and, on the domestic side, the upcoming Ford Fiesta. If the quality of Chevrolet’s new offering matches that of other recently-launched GM products, such as the Chevy Equinox crossover, this could prove a welcome – and popular – addition to the domestic maker’s line-up.
Thanks to Car.com’s Mike Levine for providing the pics. You can check their story by Clicking Here.