Automotive

Chevrolet previews performance concepts ahead of SEMA

Chevrolet previews performance concepts ahead of SEMA
Chevrolet will be showing a series of performance-oriented concepts at SEMA in Las Vegas next month
Chevrolet will be showing a series of performance-oriented concepts at SEMA in Las Vegas next month
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The Chevrolet Sonic Accessories Concept sits on lowered suspension
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The Chevrolet Sonic Accessories Concept sits on lowered suspension
The Sonic Performance Concept takes advantage of a cold-air intake and free-flowing exhaust system
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The Sonic Performance Concept takes advantage of a cold-air intake and free-flowing exhaust system
Chevy's SS Sport Concept pays homage to its Australian heritage
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Chevy's SS Sport Concept pays homage to its Australian heritage
The Cruze RS Plus features matte black racing stripes
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The Cruze RS Plus features matte black racing stripes
The Impala Blackout Concept aims for a more sinister look than a standard Impala
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The Impala Blackout Concept aims for a more sinister look than a standard Impala
The Sonic Accessories Concept is designed to highlight the personalisation potential on Chevy's small car
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The Sonic Accessories Concept is designed to highlight the personalisation potential on Chevy's small car
The Sonic Performance Concept is sporting a bright green paint job
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The Sonic Performance Concept is sporting a bright green paint job
The Cruze RS Plus is finished in "Wildfire Metallic"
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The Cruze RS Plus is finished in "Wildfire Metallic"
Chevy's Impala Blackout is fitted with an 11-speaker Bose sound system
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Chevy's Impala Blackout is fitted with an 11-speaker Bose sound system
The 2015 Chevrolet SS is now available with a six-speed manual gearbox
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The 2015 Chevrolet SS is now available with a six-speed manual gearbox
Chevrolet will be showing a series of performance-oriented concepts at SEMA in Las Vegas next month
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Chevrolet will be showing a series of performance-oriented concepts at SEMA in Las Vegas next month
View gallery - 11 images

Chevrolet has revealed a set of SEMA showcars designed to highlight the range of personalization options available for new-car buyers. The SEMA specials range from a hotted-up Sonic hatchback to a blacked-out Chevy Impala.

First cab off the rank is the Chevrolet SS Sport Concept, which combines a special red exterior finish with black stripes and gloss-black 20-inch wheels. The car is also fitted with a special grille kit, covering the fog lamp, fender air vents and rear-spoiler, while in a nod to the SS’ Australian heritage, Chevy has fitted Holden badges on the rims.

Inside, the concept’s floor mats and cargo tray have also been given Holden-badging, while the standard car’s pedals have been replaced with a sports kit from the Chevy accessory kit.

Power is provided by the stock car's 415 hp (310 kW) LS3 V8, which is now available with a six-speed manual gearbox to sit alongside the six-speed automatic in the lineup. Rear Brembo brakes join the front Brembos that were standard on the 2014 car, along with magnetic ride control which is standard on the 2015 SS.

The Sonic Performance Concept is sporting a bright green paint job
The Sonic Performance Concept is sporting a bright green paint job

Sitting alongside the SS Sport Concept will be two modified Sonic hatchbacks. The Chevrolet Sonic Performance Concept sees the the 1.4-liter engine’s power output boosted through a cold-air induction system and a free-flowing exhaust system.

To earn its “Performance” tag, the first Sonic concept’s green body hides a sports suspension setup, which lowers the hatchback’s ride height for sharper handling and a stronger presence on the road, something that is helped by the car’s white 17-inch alloy wheels. Just in case you didn’t notice the lowered suspension and big wheels, Chevrolet has also fitted a white accessory kit, which matches the grille surround, mirror caps, rear spoiler and head/tail light surround with the car's white offset stripe.

The Sonic Accessories Concept is designed to highlight the personalisation potential on Chevy's small car
The Sonic Accessories Concept is designed to highlight the personalisation potential on Chevy's small car

Designed to highlight the range of styling accessories available for the Sonic, Chevy’s Sonic Accessories Concept is fitted with a similar exterior package to its sibling, with lowered suspension and 17-inch wheels finished in black. The exterior is topped off by white surrounds on the head and tail lights, as well as a black grille surround, mirror caps and rear spoiler.

A Kicker subwoofer provides some extra punch to the standard car’s sound system, but the Accessories Concept is still powered by the a standard 1.4-liter, 138 hp (103 kW) turbocharged engine.

Chevy's Impala Blackout is fitted with an 11-speaker Bose sound system
Chevy's Impala Blackout is fitted with an 11-speaker Bose sound system

For its appearance at SEMA in 2014, the Chevy Impala has been blacked out. The exterior (right down to the headlamp surrounds) is finished in black, the interior is trimmed in black leather, with stainless steel scuff plates on the door sills. The concept is also fitted with an 11-speaker Bose sound system and under the hood, the car’s V6 engine produces 305 hp (227 kW) and 264 lb.ft (358 Nm).

The final Chevrolet making an appearance at SEMA showcases the RS package that can be fitted to the 2015 Cruze, which includes fascia changes, a unique rear spoiler and fog lamps. Inside, the RS pack also contains some small interior changes, including chrome-ringed instruments. Chevy’s RS Plus concept takes this package a step further, with a unique bodykit and rear spoiler finished in “Wildfire Metallic” paint, while matte black racing stripes round the styling out.

A Kicker subwoofer and amplifier provide some extra audio punch, and under the hood Chevy has upgraded the 1.4-liter turbo engine with a cold-air intake kit.

The Cruze RS Plus is finished in "Wildfire Metallic"
The Cruze RS Plus is finished in "Wildfire Metallic"

All five cars will be on display at SEMA in Las Vegas next month, where Gizmag will be on the ground covering all the action.

Source: Chevrolet

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4 comments
4 comments
VoiceofReason
So performance today is measured by adding an cold air intake? Wow. Five minute change? I note that as they don't bother saying it would actually help or improve anything. Lay-zee.
Cyndysub
I give the Sonic a C+ and all the others a F. These idiots need to realize that only the idiots on this planet are wanting high horsepower cars. They can only drive the speed limit unless they want a fat speeding ticket from the police so what is the positive part of more horsepower? There is none only negative points. It looks as though GM likes having their heads up their arses. Their volt is a big joke because we need to get off of the oil merry go round and have pure electric cars.
Michael Wilson
These sema models are a little disappointing. No power mods at all. Just stock engines with extra body crap stuck on. Where are the modding houses like bisi motor sports, hennessy, and nelson racing engines?
@Cyndysub If you have nothing nice to say, dont' say anything at all. The automotive articles are aimed at auto enthusiasts, which clearly you are not. If you have nothing productive to the conversation, then don't add anything.
wiarus2000
No wonder Detroit went belly up. These new cars are sooo ugly. I will not buy them