All Cars, All the Time

2007 Chevrolet Aveo











Here's the 411 on the new Aveo (a rebadged Daewoo Gentra). I had the chance to drive the previous generation Aveo courtesy of Enterprise when the Saab was in the shop. The interior was impressive for an entry level car and it goes to show how far the bar has been raised. As far and the performance of the car, it was fine for an entry level model. Chevrolet had great success with the previous Aveo, so the new model should only add to its popularity. Now, what about the hatch? I would think that the wait would not be too long, but no info as of yet. The hatch is very popular in cities like San Francisco. While waiting for the wife to get out of the opera I counted no less than four Aveo hatches pass by in 30 minutes (that's right, I prefer counting passing cars to the opera).

Here's the offical press release:

Redesigned 2007 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan Offers More Than Great Value
All-new design
Youthful refinement inside and out
Generous features typical of more expensive cars
Smooth, confident and safe driving experience
A key player in the global expansion of the Chevrolet brand
LOS ANGELES – Chevrolet’s assault on the small vehicle market advances during the 2006 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show when the successor to America’s best-selling entry-level vehicle is unveiled – the 2007 Aveo sedan. It boasts an all-new exterior and interior design characterized by youthful refinement, generous features usually seen in more expensive cars and a more confident, dynamic driving experience. Chevrolet introduces the redesigned Aveo only 2½ years after its launch and, once again, challenges expectations of what an entry-level car can deliver.
“Customers will recognize the Aveo sedan as a ‘sm*rt buy’ that delivers on Chevy’s Total Value Promise,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “With its good looks, enjoyable driving experience and ‘big car’ personality, it is a great addition to Chevy’s new lineup of small vehicles.”
The 2007 Aveo sedan will be available in LS and LT models starting in summer 2006, and will offer a range of value-driven options to suit a variety of lifestyles. In redesigning the leading entry-level car in the country, the Aveo team reached beyond the highly important affordability factor to broaden the car’s strong value position. Chevy delves deeper into one of the world’s most popular automobile segments, just as value-conscious American buyers are increasingly discovering the virtues of small cars like the 2007 Aveo sedan.
“Customers will also be pleased with unexpected features, such as a standard radio input jack for iPods and an array of options, ranging from a power sunroof and six-CD changer sound system, to steering-wheel mounted audio and cruise controls,” said Peper.
The 2007 Aveo sedan complements a new selection of smaller vehicles available at Chevrolet showrooms, including the Cobalt premium small car – launched in late 2004 – and the HHR small crossover vehicle – launched in July 2005. Their introductions underscore Chevy’s ongoing commitment to offering great value options in all vehicle segments.
Crisp, modern exterior design
The 2007 Aveo sedan is high in style and progressive in attitude. It is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor and features crisp, sculpted lines and a wide, confident stance. The design skillfully creates the illusion of a larger car through attributes such as contoured side feature lines that rise from front to rear, pronounced “shoulders” over the wheel openings and body-color door sills.
Aveo’s V-shaped hood lines point to its distinctively Chevy front fascia, which boasts a chrome-accented grille with prominent cross bar and iconic gold bowtie emblem. The Aveo’s new, more assertive and dynamic look is highlighted by premium cues, including three-dimensional, richly detailed headlamps that extend into the hood, available front fog lamps and bold, round taillamps, which are set within jeweled bezels.
Contributing to Aveo’s more aerodynamic design is the incorporation of the radio antenna into the rear glass. Extensive wind tunnel testing also helped reduce the coefficient of drag from 0.348 to a more slippery 0.326, compared to the previous model.
Customers can choose to further enhance the Aveo’s appearance with optional features not typically seen in the segment, including chrome door handles, a large power sunroof and dual, heated, power body-color foldaway outside mirrors.
Interior: refinement with a modern twist
The cabin of the new Aveo reflects a youthful interpretation of refinement. Its signature “tall car” design and generous dimension offer ample interior space – capable of accommodating passengers more than 6 feet tall in each of the five seating positions. An enhanced combination of sound-dampening technologies and improved aerodynamics provides a quiet and comfortable ride, even at higher speeds.
The contemporary appearance of the 2007 Aveo sedan’s interior is achieved through integrated components, meticulous craftsmanship and complementary colors. Striking features, including a new, two-tone scheme, rich instrumentation, satin-chrome and carbon-fiber-style accents, wood-grain-style trim and perforated leatherette seating, provide visual and tactile interest. Precision in fit and finish details caps the Aveo’s high-quality appearance.
Aveo’s interior was designed for maximum comfort and convenience, which is evidenced in elements such as standard tilting front-seat headrests and a folding driver’s armrest. Additional conveniences include dual visor vanity mirrors, door and seatback storage pockets and clever hooks, located on headrest posts, which can hold items such as backpacks or shopping bags.
Theater-style rear seating provides a commanding view for all passengers. A fully reclining front passenger seat and a 60/40-split folding rear seat expand Aveo’s interior cargo capacity, enabling long items, such as skis, to be carried between the trunk and passenger compartment. The trunk offers 12.4 cubic feet (350 liters) of storage space, which is more than the previous model.
More unexpected value is delivered through the tilt-adjustable steering wheel, six-way adjustable front seats (with lumbar adjustment), on-key (no separate fob) remote keyless entry features and available cruise control.
Aveo radios are derived from GM’s new family of premium radio systems, which are distinguished by upscale appearance, simplicity of operation and range of features and capabilities. An auxiliary input jack for iPods and other devices is standard on all radios. The base radio is an AM/FM stereo with four speakers. A CD/MP3-capable ratio with six-speaker sound system is available, as is a six-disc in-dash CD changer radio. Steering wheel audio controls are available with the uplevel six-disc in-dash CD changer system.
Driving experience – defying the stereotype of what a subcompact can deliver
As a global car that will be sold in more than 140 countries, the 2007 Aveo sedan was engineered and validated for a broad range of driving and road conditions, but was tuned to suit the preferences of American customers. It was developed for a dynamic, well-planted driving experience and enhanced fuel efficiency. A wide stance and long wheelbase (97.6 inches / 2479 mm) deliver a smooth, confident ride.
Powering Aveo’s responsive driving experience is GM’s proven a sophisticated 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder engine that produces an estimated 103 horsepower (76 kw)* and 107 lb.-ft. of torque (148 Nm)*. The engine is enhanced by a Variable Geometry Induction System, which helps maximize power across the rpm range. Electronic throttle control enhances drivability and fuel economy, while reducing emissions. With a smooth-shifting standard five-speed manual transmission, Aveo offers an estimated 35 mpg in highway driving.**
An available, fuel-saving Aisin four-speed automatic transmission features adaptive shift technology. The segment-exclusive Hold Control Mode special feature helps reduce wheel spin and traction loss on slick roads by allowing the driver to select and hold a higher gear, which reduces torque to the wheels.
Power-assisted, variable-rate rack-and-pinion steering is standard, with enhancements that compensate for external forces such as strong side winds. The steering gear is mounted on the front suspension cross member for precise action and stability. A revised front stabilizer bar supports an agile, fun-to-drive experience and driver confidence – even in challenging circumstances, such as quick lane changes.
Safe and secure
The Aveo experience is enhanced by a comprehensive system of safety and security technologies designed to meet safety standards in markets around the globe. Aveo’s safety starts with a high-strength steel structure that creates a safety cage around the passenger compartment. The structure has been engineered to help maintain passenger compartment integrity and features tailor-welded blanks, a feature not typically found on vehicles in the segment.
The 2007 Aveo sedan also comes standard with advanced dual-stage frontal air bags and the GM Passenger Sensing System, as well as standard seat-mounted side-impact air bags that provide added head and thorax protection. The dual-stage frontal air bags deploy at different levels, depending on the severity of the crash.
The brake system on the Aveo sedan provides ventilated front discs and self-adjusting rear drums. A four-channel ABS system is available. The four-sensor – one at each wheel – system also incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on factors including road conditions and the weight of passengers and/or cargo. Additional Aveo safety and security features include:
Front safety belt pretensioners with front-load limiters
Height-adjustable shoulder belt anchors
Lower Anchors and Top Tether for Children (LATCH) child seat attachment system in the rear seats
Rear child safety door locks
Emergency hatch release inside the trunk
Fuel door lock with remote release feature
Available engine immobilizer theft-deterrent system.
The 2007 Aveo sedan is expected to build upon the safety record of its predecessor and perform positively in future impact assessments. For the 2006 model, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded Aveo a five-star rating in the frontal crash test for both the driver and front passenger.
Aveo and Chevrolet’s Global Expansion***
In the United States , the Chevrolet Aveo became the best-selling car in its segment within months of its launch (including four-door and five-door models). Today, it holds a significant margin of leadership over its closest competitor and approximately 40 percent of the entry-level car segment. Currently, it has the second-highest segment share of any vehicle in any segment, and its sales are growing at a faster rate than the segment as a whole.
The Aveo lineup attracts the highest rate of first-time buyers of any GM vehicle, providing a great opportunity to earn these customers’ long-term loyalty. Like the small, premium-car Cobalt family and the HHR small crossover vehicle, Aveo also generates a high number of conquest sales. Seventy-five percent of Aveo sales represent “plus” business for GM. This achievement is the result of combined sales to first-time vehicle buyers, prior owners of non-GM vehicles and customers transitioning from the used to the new car market.
The Aveo is making inroads around the world, and will be sold in more than 140 countries, under several nameplates (primarily under the Chevrolet brand). It is the top-selling car produced by GM Daewoo in Korea (GMDAT). About half of vehicles produced by GMDAT are Chevrolet models. The number is steadily rising as the expertise and quality record of GM’s Korean subsidiary and Chevy’s tradition of “more than expected” value increasingly resonate around the globe.
From January through October 2005, Chevrolet global sales increased by 189,030 units, for a total of 3,644,947 – a growth of 5.5 percent. During the same period, Chevrolet’s global market share has increased from 6.6 to 6.74 percent, strengthening its position as the third-best selling brand in the world. In Europe , where Aveo is the top-selling Chevy model, Chevrolet sales have increased 18.4 percent (through October 2005). In Asia-Pacific, which is a strong and rapidly growing market for GM, Chevrolet sales improved 134 percent, while year-over-year sales in the Latin America , Africa and Middle East region jumped 17.8 percent.
This represents 5.5 percent growth over 2004. Similarly, Chevrolet’s global market share increased from 6.6 percent to 7.4 percent, strengthening its position as the third-best selling brand in the world.
The 2007 Aveo sedan is expected to continue supporting the acceleration of Chevrolet’s global momentum.
* A new voluntary power and torque certification procedure developed by the SAE Engine Test Code committee was approved March 31, 2005 . This procedure (J2723) ensures fair, accurate ratings for horsepower and torque by allowing manufacturers to certify their engines through third-party witness testing. GM was the first auto manufacturer to begin using the procedure and expects to use it for all newly rated engines in the future.
** Based on GM testing. Official EPA estimates not yet available.

Here's an added bonus: a picture of the Gentra. I thought you might like to look at "them"...I mean "it" :-)