Interior space, ambiance, amenities, and a certain je ne sais quoi are all necessary when choosing an automotive boudoir. If we're honest, it's often a matter of any port in a storm, but if it's possible to avoid any of these, you should certainly do so.

Car: Toyota Prius

Why it's bad for sex: Let's just get this right out of the way and acknowledge that no one wants to have sex in a Prius. First of all, it's tough to get your swerve on in such an uninspiring object, something that's more consumer good than car. Second, you risk bringing a new life into the world, which will certainly be a waste of precious resources. Third, if you're a Prius owner, the idea of a car being fun is completely alien to you so you have your 20 minutes of lights-off missionary-position relations in the futon like a proper citizen anyway.

Photo: Flickr

Car: Chevrolet Aveo

Why it's bad for sex: Sex is just one of many things you should never attempt with the poor, misbegotten Aveo, including driving it, walking up to it or getting in it. But especially not sex. There's enough room, barely, if you're young, short, and athletic, but men have paid good money for drugs that give them the same hardness as the interior surfaces of this car. The resulting conjugal bruises will get you the wrong kind of reputation .

Photo: Wikipedia

Car: Mazda Miata

Why it's bad for sex: While we love this car unreservedly, we are-like 98% of people-not exhibitionists, and to have any sort of workable sex in this car the top would have to be down. Also, much like 100% of people, we don't like our coitus to get interruptus by a power hardtop suddenly coming down on us because a flailing knee or elbow hit the switch.

Photo: Picasa

Car: Scion TC

Why it's bad for sex: While this cheap coupe is, or will be, the first car of a lot of eager young folks in an exploratory phase of their lives, we urge them to bring a blanket and find a wooded area. The TC is not so much a car as a platform for interior accessorizing, and getting into youthful carnal hijinks in this thing means you run a risk of getting something stuck in your illuminated cupholder. Buying a faux-billet LED-lit shift knob is one sort of loss of dignity; having a gloved proctologist hand it back to you in front of the entire ER is another.

Photo: Wikipedia

Car: Chevrolet Camaro

Why it's bad for sex: Traditionally, the two of you jump into the back seat of your two-door muscle coupe and proceed to put some sneaker prints on the headliner. However, just sitting in the back of the current Camaro will imprint the top of your head into the current headliner. And the front seats just don't recline enough or give enough leg room for advanced physical-intimacy contingencies. This is probably the only category of the contemporary muscle-car wars the Challenger wins going do- er, away.

Photo: Wikipedia

Car: Maybach 62

Why it's bad for sex: Because one's sex life is none of one's chauffer's business. Why, the very idea.

Photo: Wikipedia

Car: Mini (any)

Why it's bad for sex: Owners report that repeated heavy jolts can damage the rear shock mounts, resulting in reduced handling performance and a dramatic drop in ride quality, especially in early models. Also, even in a Clubman, there's no damn room in the thing.

Photo: Wikipedia

Car: Ariel Atom

Why it's bad for sex: Although a certain type of person might look at the Atom and notice the abundance of tie-down points, the multiple partner-handcuffing options, and the overall masochistic glory of this incredibly capable track car, it is in fact $65,000. For that price, you could afford any number of studded-leather bedsteads with enough left over for chains and whips.

Photo: candidcarcritic.com

Car: Smart ForTwo

Why it's bad for sex: Seriously, AskMen actually recommended this car, albeit in cabrio form. If you're more into achievement than enjoyment this could work, but in that case you'll probably have sex anywhere and everywhere anyway and don't need any sort of list to tell you. I mean, we're into bragging rights as much as the next person, but not bragging for bragging's sake, and sexually speaking the Smart hardly has enough room ForOne.

Photo: Wikipedia

Car: Dodge Caliber

Why it's bad for sex: Because it's just plain bad. The Caliber may, in fact, be the worst all-around car made today, and the idea of having sex in one has the same emotional resonance as having sex in a FEMA trailer or a Goodwill dumpster. Getting past the fact it's uncomfortable and it's not as roomy as it should be for a wagon/crossover/compromise-mobile, the Caliber is just kind of depressing. And if word gets out, you'll always be "the person who had sex with [other loser] in a Dodge Caliber," meaning you probably won't ever have sex again.

Photo: Wikipedia

This heavily camouflaged 2011 Aveo was spotted in Germany outside an Opel factory undergoing some instrumented testing with some engineers who somehow got mini-car duty.

The exterior looks similar to an Aveo Wert saw on his tour of GM's design studio a week ago, with a very scary-looking rear end mated to a front end that isn't quite big enough to be fitted with a bow tie and grille.

But the big news is the first shots of the interior that seems to balance a techno-look against Chevy's latest interior trend of a wraparound cabin. There appears to be dash-top storage and a complete set of repetitive controls on the steering wheel. Seems like the design uses a combination of the Chevy Beat/Trax/Groove triplets from the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. Previous rumors of a name change to the Chevy Viva still run rampant, but with so much turmoil at GM these days we'll just have to wait and see.

The contest is based on "votes" and U of H students appear to have gamed the voting a bit, much to the displeasure of another U of H Cougar:

hey the video that makes it to top 6 from U of H is going to be based on VOTES not views anymore...yalls video isn't that great...lets rep U of H and get a CRIZZZUNK video there!!! (read the rules and regulations...it's all in there)

We're not surprised the conversation with the least amount of effort won, given the attitudes of the many U of H grads we know. The official gesture, the Cougar Paw is essentially the shocker. GM, you just got shocked. Go Cougs! The press release and video below.

University of Houston students win brand new Chevy Aveo5s in Livin' Large College Cab promotion

[Detroit]– After five days of competition, University of Houston students Wisam Nahhas and Sammy Khayat emerged as winners of their own 2009 Chevy Aveo5s as part of Chevy’s Aveo5 Livin’ Large College Cab promotion. This fall Chevy dispatched 2009 Aveo5s to six college campuses giving free rides to students there. These rides were filmed, and the videos posted the next day to www.aveolivinlarge.com for the world to watch. Two rounds of competition followed.

The first round charged students in each video with securing the most views on their video out of any other from their university. The second round pitted each school’s finalists against one another in a five-day competition for online video votes. When those five days drew to a close, U of H’s Nahhas and Khayat emerged victorious securing more than 214,000 video votes.

“We’re thrilled that so many students were engaged in this promotion by hitching a ride in the Chevy Aveo5 College Cab or viewing or casting a vote for their classmates or friends,” said Ed Peper, North American Vice President, Chevrolet. “The Chevy Aveo Livin’ Large promotions have always been about showcasing how college students can live large, and with the hundreds of thousands of video views and votes cast, the students demonstrated once again that no challenge is too tall.”

Freshman Khayat and sophomore Nahhas are long-time family friends and are thrilled at the prospect of winning their own Aveo5s. Says Nahhas, “This is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me in my life. We had hundreds of people voting for us all over the country. It’s surreal.”

The Chevy Aveo5 Livin’ Large College Cab promotion leveraged social media tools to extend the program’s reach beyond the six campuses the Chevy Aveo5 College Cabs visited. Students tuned in from more than 300 universities across the United States and shared their favorite videos by adding them to their Facebook and MySpace profiles, embedding their friends’ videos on their personal blogs and Web sites, and by e-mailing the link to hundreds of others.

“This latest installment of Chevy’s Aveo Livin’ Large college outreach campaign played off things most students can truly appreciate—a free ride and a few minutes of fame!” Peper noted. “In this world where social networking sites and online video are pervasive, the Chevy Aveo5 Livin’ Large College Cab program leveraged the online tools young people are already using in a fun and interesting way. And it also gave them a shot at the ultimate payoff—their very own Chevy Aveo5, a perfect car for college students due to its size, affordability, fuel economy, and technological features like OnStar and XM satellite radio.”

The Chevy Aveo5 College Cab is the third in a series of Chevy college-based programs known as “Livin’ Large in Aveo.” Previous installments included the Chevy Aveo Livin’ Large Campus Challenge, during which teams of two students from seven universities lived inside a Chevy Aveo on their campus for a week in an effort to secure the most votes as the favorite team. On the heels of the Campus Challenge came the Chevy Aveo Livin’ Large Road Trip, during which two University of Florida graduating seniors chronicled their week-long road trip inside a Chevy Aveo to pursue their dreams of making it in Hollywood.

The Chevy Aveo5 Livin’ Large College Cab visited the following universities during its run:

• University of Maryland, College Park

• San Jose State University

• University of Oregon

• University of South Florida

• University of Washington

• University of Houston

The Chevy Aveo5 is uniquely suited to college students who are often pressed for cash. The most affordable five-door hatchback in America starts at $12,120 and gets 34 miles to the gallon on the highway, and 27 city. OnStar and XM radio come standard as does an auxiliary input jack for mp3 player connectivity. The hatchback feature of the Chevy Aveo5 provides students with room to stow their laundry en route to mom and dad’s or to throw a few bags in the back for a weekend road trip.

[Source: GM, Photo: Flickr: KaleBDF]

It took passersby just 30 minutes to strip off the coinage, which will surely be invested responsibly into a coffee can that'll never be touched again. Said a Chevy rep "There have been some great car adverts before, but none that has stopped traffic and actually put money back into the motorist's pocket so this is certainly a first. We're glad we've topped up lots of people's wallets, purses and, in some cases, rucksacks, but it would have been nice for the billboard to last a little longer than 30 minutes."Well, people are greedy bitches. Good thing they issued a press release. [GM Chevy UK via Carscoop]

...is a rebadged Korean Daewoo Kalos) in Montreal as a Pontiac Wave, but do these EPA numbers mean we'll be getting them stateside as some kind of "Driving Un-Excitement?" Or will they be forced to stay on the Canadian (or Mexican, where they'll begin to be built starting at GM's new San Lois Potosi plant in June of 2009) sides of the border like other riff-raff? We've sent out an e-mail to Pontiac PR with the hopes of getting to the bottom of this before the platform prostitution starts to go totally insane. We mean, what's next — a re-badged Silverado called the Pontiac G10? We shudder at the thought. [via GMInsideNews, Motive]

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: No
Fashion Victims: No
Treehuggers: Yes
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: No
Hairdressers: Yes
Penny Pinchers: Yes
Euro Snobs: No
Working Stiffs: No
Technogeeks: No
Poseurs: No
Soccer Moms: No
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
• Kia Rio
• Honda Fit
• Hyundai Accent
• Nissan Versa
• Scion xD
• Toyota Yaris

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: Chevrolet
• Model tested: Aveo LT
• Model year: 2008
• Base Price: $14,365
• Price as Tested: $16,965
• Engine type: 1.6-liter I4 DOHC
• Horsepower: 103 hp @ 5,800 rpm
• Torque: 107 lb.-ft. @ 3,600 rpm
• Red line: 6,500 rpm
• Transmission: 4-speed automatic
• Curb Weight: 2,542 lbs.
• LxWxH: 169.7 X 67.3 X 58.9
• Wheelbase: 97.6 inches
• Tires: P185/55R-15, all-season
• Drive type: FWD
• 0 - 60 mph: 10.8 seconds (via Edmunds)
• 1/4-mile: N/A
• Top speed: N/A
• Fuel economy city/highway: 26/34
• NHTSA crash test rating: 5/4/4/3

2008 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan, Part 1
2008 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan, Part 2

Interior Design: ****
The material quality and finish in the Aveo are excellent for a car in this class. In terms of style our tester might have been a tad over the top. There are at least six types of plastic: black, tan, fake wood, brushed aluminum and chrome. We haven't seen one in person, but opting for the charcoal interior that does away with the wood for more faux-metal will likely lower your perceived age by some 20 years.

Acceleration: **
Racing with rollerbladers can be a gamble and merging onto the highway in heavy traffic requires smashing the pedal to the floor. Still, the Aveo isn't a total sloth. You can call it peppy, but you'll miss any sensation of being pushed back into your seat.

Braking: **
Front discs and rear drums get the job done just fine. The Aveo loses points for making antilock brakes optional, even in top-level LT trim.

Ride: ****
The Aveo smooths out bumps and jitters like a car that was designed with grandma's bladder as the sole consideration. It's absolutely shocking how solidly planted this car is when you're moving through traffic above highway speeds. But we also have a sneaking suspicion that this may be a blessing that comes at the expense of the...

Handling: *
Under 50 mph, steering is dull, with little feedback or on-center feel. Combined with serious amounts of body roll, going through curves quickly and smoothly is nearly impossible. At highway speeds, unpredictable steering can be terrorizing. Sometimes small movements render as sudden jerks; other times, they won't even keep you from drifting out of lane. While the excellent ride squelches road noise and bumps at 80 mph, the steering gear makes going over 55 a white-knuckle experience.

Gearbox: ***
Our Aveo was equipped with the four-speed automatic transmission. The autobox shifted smoothly and generally knew when the right foot wanted needed a downshift.

Audio: **
All sedan models come standard with an auxiliary audio input and six-speakers that pump out acceptable sound quality. Strangely, the LS sedan comes standard with only the AM/FM stereo and aux input, but no CD player. We knew CDs were on their way out, but is it already time to totally ditch the disc? Maybe Chevy's just that much of a trend-setter.

Toys: zero stars
There's nothing here that really qualifies as a toy...unless you want to count the Aveo in its entirety as a toy.

Trunk: **
Just as you'd expect, a small car has a small trunk. It does the 60/40 thing for larger loads, but fitting any overly broad items — like luggage or a cooler — through that trunk opening.

Value: ****
The Aveo sedan's ugly-duckling five-door sibling may claim title as the lowest-priced car in America at $10,595. But it's ugly, so spend the extra $2,000 to get a sedan and you'll still get a hell of a bargain. Start with the top-level LT model and you'll get all of the good stuff like power windows, keyless entry and power heated mirrors, for just $14,365. That's a bare-bones econobox price for a car with far more features.

Overall: **
The Aveo is much more mature than you'd expect from its size or its price. A smooth ride and fuel-friendly engine will serve the tight-walleted commuter well. But you don't measure a subcompact in how fast it is so much as consider how slow it is. So regardless of the Aveo's ability to transport students or 9-to-5'ers and their Starbucks drinks to work in comfort, it's not for even the remotely performance-minded buyer. Power is meager and with such a lack of feedback, it's like driving the car with a Nintendo controller. Want a warranty and clean history? Get an Aveo. Want something exciting? Check the classifieds.

2008 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan, Part 1

First impressions of the Aveo will leave you shrugging your shoulders. There's nothing wrong with the Aveo's exterior styling. But at the same time, there's nothing right about it either. It's all too familiar, simple and unemotional - not unlike a refrigerator. Showing off your new car loses excitement as the whole package looks like it came from a late '90s family snoozer sedan. Inside, materials and fit are exceptional - far above the subcompact class - but again the Aveo runs short on style and it isn't free of quirks.

Passengers will awkwardly fidget their left arm as they complain that Chevy only gave an armrest to the driver. The seats are entirely mediocre, without lateral support or any serious cushion. And at 6'3" my ideal driving position required my right knee to be permanently mashed against the dashboard. It's possible to dislodge the knee and find a position that allows more leg room, but it comes with an awkwardly long reach to the steering wheel. Despite my personal issues fitting in the Aveo, it does a fine job swallowing up four people, providing decent legroom in the back even with a lanky goon like myself in the driver's seat.

The Aveo's real selling point is value. The base model starts at a sub-$10,000 watermark, and the top-level LT model starts at $14,365 and is equipped so that you don't need to check any option boxes to get the essentials like power windows, locks and mirrors. At just under $17,000, our tester wasn't what you'd call a stunning bargain, but it was well-equipped with luxuries like faux leather seating ($250), a sunroof ($725), steering wheel audio controls ($75) and the automatic transmission that adds almost $1,000 on its own. The Chevrolet does beat out similarly equipped rivals like the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Scion xD and Nissan Versa, but typically just by a few hundred dollars.

And then there's driving it. Acceleration from the 1.6-liter engine is adequate, providing just enough power to keep you from cursing the Aveo as slow. But the 103-horsepower engine also requires a fair amount of pedal-push to keep it accelerating at a respectable pace, putting a damper on that whole fuel-economy thing. Rush the Aveo through a turn and you'll find there's plenty of body roll. Steering is morbid, with little feedback and no on-center feel. Worst of all, its erratic behavior is difficult to adapt to, sometimes turning minor adjustments into sharp jerks. Ride quality stands on the opposite end of the spectrum, soaking up bumps for a smooth and comfortable ride that gives the car surprising confidence at high speeds. Of course, Chevrolet isn't touting the Aveo as a performance vehicle. It's an affordable commuter's car, and in that context the driving experience does what it should, with the exception of the sloppy steering.

Chevrolet has certainly hit their target and has exceeded expectations in a few areas for a car that's easy on the wallet and still plenty livable. But in the process they've left the car devoid of style and character that set it apart from the crowd. From the exterior design to driving dynamics, the Aveo lacks the seduction that will leave you wanting more.

Photo Credit: Sherry Kraft

2009 CHEVROLET AVEO5 AT A GLANCE:

* Redesigned, sporty exterior with contemporary details
* Updated, roomy "tall car" interior with the cargo flexibility of a hatchback - including up to 42 cu.-ft. (1,189 L) of cargo space
* New, fuel-efficient Ecotec 1.6L DOHC engine with variable valve timing
* Great EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 26 city / 34 highway (manual transmission)
* Standard side air bags and dual-stage frontal air bags with Passenger Sensing System
* Unexpected technologies, including standard OnStar and available XM Satellite Radio
* Five-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranty

NEW 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO5 IS A SMALL CAR WITH LARGE-CAR ROOMINESS, AMENITIES AND GREAT FUEL ECONOMY

LOS ANGELES - Proving that fuel solutions can be wrapped in bold, fun packages, Chevrolet unveiled the 2009 Aveo5 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The redesigned challenger to the economy segment delivers exceptional, EPA-estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway (with the standard five-speed manual transmission) - and is expected to be the lowest-priced car in America when it goes on sale in 2008.

"Chevrolet is committed to fuel solutions of all types, and the new Aveo5 demonstrates that gasoline remains viable in a highly efficient, affordable package," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "It is a terrific value, with a worry-free ownership experience that has the lowest ownership cost of any vehicle on the market, yet it packs all of Chevy's fun-to-drive spirit."

The new '09 Aveo5 reaffirms the brand's value position and builds on it with features expected in larger, more expensive cars - such as standard OnStar and available XM Satellite Radio - as well as its signature "tall car" design that enables surprising passenger and cargo room. It is powered by a new, fuel-sipping, 1.6L DOHC engine with variable valve timing that produces more power (107 hp / 80 kW) and strong torque (106-lb.-ft. / 143 Nm) - and has been tuned for quieter performance.

"Customers will be surprised by the 'big' features of the Aveo5 - big room, big style, big refinement and, of course, big fuel economy," said Peper. "It is a flexible car that provides untold capabilities, with cargo features and flexibility that change as your needs change."

Indeed, the Aveo5's efficiency and flexibility go hand in hand. With its improved fuel economy among the best on the market using regular gasoline, the '09 Aveo5 can travel more than 400 miles (643 km) between fill-ups, resulting in fewer trips to the gas station and road trips that require fewer stops.

The Aveo5 goes on sale in mid-2008, joining the recently redesigned Aveo sedan. It is available in base, LS and LT trims - each backed by a "worry free" five-year/100,000-mile transferable powertrain warranty, plus Roadside Assistance and Courtesy Transportation.

Bold, tall-car design

The Aveo5's dynamic, contemporary styling represents the global face of Chevrolet design. Redesigned, body-color fascias and chrome accents suggest a more expensive car, along with available features - such as its large power sunroof - that are unexpected in the segment, Aveo5 retains its characteristic "tall car" configuration, enabling a spacious interior, with generous headroom that is greater than many midsize sedans.

The front of the new Aveo5 features the bold, chrome-finished grille - with prominent gold Chevy bowtie - that is characteristic of all new members of the Chevrolet family, such as the Malibu. It is complemented with features that reinforce Aveo5's premium appearance, including new and distinctive chrome-finished side vents on the front fenders and jeweled-appearance headlamps.

The Aveo5's sleek styling accents longer, wider and taller dimensions, with sculpted lines and a wide, confident stance. Pronounced "shoulders" over the wheel openings and body-color door sills convey the look of a larger car. A more assertive, dynamic look is accomplished with crisp, V-shaped hood edges, bold front and rear fascias with premium cues, such as larger, available front fog lamps; a rear-fascia lower grille; and a larger available rear spoiler located on the trailing edge of the roof.

Ten exterior colors are available. They include: Summit White, Black Granite Metallic, Sport Red, Victory Red, Blue Moon, Bright Blue, Tahiti Green, Cosmic Silver, Medium Gray and Summer Yellow.

Roomy environment

The Aveo5's exterior is complemented by a quiet passenger cabin that features well-crafted details and generous standard features that enhance comfort. It is one of the most spacious vehicles in its class, with features and refinement comparable to more expensive vehicles.

With its signature "tall car" design, the Aveo5's generous dimensions easily accommodate 6-foot-tall passengers in each of the five seating positions. It also is a quiet interior environment, with soundproofing technologies that complement quieting powertrain enhancements and improved aerodynamics to provide a quiet, comfortable and vibration-free ride, even at higher speed.

Attention to comfort is evidenced in elements such as standard driver's seat armrests. Also, theater-style rear seating provides a commanding view for all passengers. A 60/40-split rear seat expands Aveo5's interior cargo capacity; and when more cargo-carrying capability is required, the rear seat can be flipped and folded, offering 42 cu. ft. (1,189 L) of cargo space.

Refined, well-appointed interior

The interior's contemporary appearance is achieved through sleek lines and the clever use of rich materials, including a new, available two-tone, charcoal/light gray design (on charcoal interiors) that provides a premium look and feel. Other premium appearance elements include technical-grain, low-gloss surfaces; wood grain, satin-chrome or carbon-fiber finishes on the instrument panel and door panels; and even perforated faux leather seating surfaces, steering wheel cover and shifter knob.

Additionally, clever details abound, such as a sunglasses holder; door pockets for books and maps; and hooks that can secure shopping bags. Unexpected value is delivered through more standard and available features - features not typically found in the segment, including:

* Fully reclining front seats with convenience hooks
* Six-way-adjustable seats - plus driver lumbar adjustment
* Tilting steering wheel
* Driver information center
* Oil Life Monitoring System
* Cruise control
* Power windows and locks
* Heated, dual power body-color foldaway outside mirrors
* On-key (no separate fob) remote keyless entry
* Air conditioning with cabin filtration
* Large, power-operated sunroof

Audio systems

Aveo5 LS models offer a standard AM/FM, four-speaker radio system, 36 presets and an auxiliary input jack for MP3 devices. An AM/FM radio with CD/MP3 capability (including an auxiliary input jack) and six-speaker sound system is standard on the LT and available on LS.

All Aveo5 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. Steering wheel audio controls are standard on LT models

XM Satellite Radio - a popular choice among youthful customers - is standard on 1LT models and available on LS. It offers more than 100 channels of music, news, sports and entertainment. XM Satellite Radio must be activated and a subscription fee applies.

Ride and handling

The Aveo5 was developed for a dynamic, well-planted driving experience and fuel efficiency. It has a wide stance and long wheelbase (97.7 inches / 2,480 mm) to deliver a smooth, confident ride. A MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear suspension (with gas-charged shocks) deliver refined ride and handling characteristics.

Power-assisted, variable-rate rack-and-pinion steering is standard, with the steering gear is mounted on the front suspension cross member for precise action and stability. Fourteen-inch wheels are standard, but sporty 15-inch alloy wheels are available.

As a global car, the Aveo5 was tested and validated for a broad range of driving and road conditions. The suspension system is inspired by the driving experiences of European sports sedans yet tuned for contemporary American driving tastes - a combination that delivers both smoothness and a responsive, spirited driving experience.

Powertrains

Supporting Aveo5's responsive and economical driving experience is a new, Ecotec 1.6L DOHC four-cylinder powertrain. The sophisticated engine uses Dual Continuous Variable Cam Phasing - two continuously adjustable camshafts - to optimize the charge cycle for fuel economy and performance. As a result, this 16-valve DOHC engine delivers more horsepower than the previous engine, with ratings of 107 horsepower (80 kw)* and 106 lb.-ft. of torque (143 Nm)*, and nearly 8-percent improved fuel efficiency when compared to the previous Aveo5 model.

The new, 1.6L engine features additional technology highlights to improve fuel economy, quality, reliability and durability, including:

* New four-in-one sheet metal exhaust manifold, with integrated catalytic converter and secondary underfloor catalytic converter
* Engine oil cooler and piston oil squirters
* New GM-corporate engine control system
* Electronically controlled thermostat
* Oil Life Monitoring System

Additionally, the engine is tuned for quieter performance, with a more pleasing sound during acceleration.

A smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission is standard and an Aisin four-speed automatic with Hold Control Mode is available. Hold Control Mode is a special feature that helps reduce wheel spin and traction loss on slick roads by allowing the driver to select and hold a higher gear, thus reducing torque.

Safety features

A comprehensive system of safety and security technologies is designed to meet safety standards of markets around the globe. The Aveo5's safety starts with a high-strength steel structure that creates a safety cage around the passenger compartment. The structure features strength-enhancing, tailor-welded blanks that help avoid protrusions into the passenger compartment.

The Aveo5 also comes standard with advanced dual-stage frontal air bags and the GM Passenger Sensing System, as well as standard h ead/thorax seat-mounted side air bags for front passengers. The head/thorax seat-mounted side air bags deploy during side impacts and are triggered by a sophisticated sensor system in the front doors.

The brake system on the Aveo5 is available with a four-channel ABS system. The four-sensor system - one at each wheel - incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on road conditions the weight of passengers and/or cargo.

Additional Aveo5 safety features include:

* Front safety belt pretensioners
* Energy-absorbing steering column
* Knee bolsters
* Height-adjustable shoulder belt anchors
* Lower Anchors and Top Tether for Children (LATCH) for rear seats
* Rear child safety door locks
* Tire pressure monitoring system

All Aveo5 models come standard with OnStar Gen 7, which features advanced automatic crash notification, remote diagnostics and a monthly status report. OnStar provides the responsiveness of a trained operator to assist you at the touch of a button. From security features of operator directions, remote diagnostics, lockout service, roadside assistance to emergency response, OnStar offers the assistance you need when you need it. Aveo5 (and Aveo sedan) is the only car in its class with this safety and convenience feature.

# # #

New Chevrolet Aveo: striking exterior, new entry-level petrol model

Hatchback and notchback models to bear same name in future
Striking exterior and high-class interior
Two petrol engines with 84 and 98 hp; manual or automatic transmission

Zurich. Chevrolet Europe's success story began with the Kalos in 2002. In 2006, the compact-class model range was extended with the introduction of the Aveo hatchback wagon. Since 2002, GM's value brand has sold more than 381,000 vehicles in this compact series to customers throughout Europe. These key models have, in turn, made a significant contribution to Chevrolet's success in the first half of 2007, when the brand chalked up a total of 215,315 unit sales across Europe, achieving a market share of some 1.8 per cent - its best performance to date.

Chevrolet Europe will present the Kalos' successor at the Frankfurt Motor Show (13 to 23 September 2007). The most significant features of this completely reworked model are its striking exterior, its high-class interior and a new, even more efficient petrol engine. Like its notchback stable mate, the new hatchback model will now bear the Aveo name throughout Europe. The five-door hatchback model will be first to hit European showrooms (in March 2008), followed by the three-door model a few weeks later. Like all Chevrolets, the new Aveo will stand out for its excellent value for money.

The Aveo hatchback sports Chevrolet's new design features, as characterised by the big horizontally split radiator grille with a body-coloured crossbeam and the brand logo sitting prominently in the center. The dynamic detailing includes large, curved clear-glass headlamps and fog lamps that project like spotlights from the lower part of the bumper. The bonnet follows the lines of the radiator grille. Eye-catching contours, which flow from the bonnet to the A-pillar, highlight the sporty look.

Additional indicators in the side sections in front of the exterior mirrors enhance safety. In profile, the body's prominent shoulder lines catch the eye, as does their dynamic beading that sweeps from the front to the rear door. The back of the car is dominated by the solid bumper and the round tail lamps in a clear-glass housing.

The modern and high-quality instrument panel is divided into four chrome-trimmed controls and a centre console with striking air vents, a fully integrated audio unit, and large, user-friendly air-conditioning dials. The smooth plastic surfaces and the soft-touch finish of both the instrument panel and the upper half of the door panel are pleasant to the touch.

The new Aveo has grown slightly and is four centimetres longer than its predecessor. Its vital statistics are:

Aveo hatchback
Length (metres)
3.92
Width (metres)
1.68
Height (metres)
1.51
Wheelbase (metres)
2.48
Boot volume (litres)
220 - 980

The Aveo offers a choice of two petrol engines: a new 1.2-litre unit with two overhead camshafts and an output of 84 hp, and the existing 1.4-litre engine, which now develops 98 hp and is available with automatic transmission.

Both engines are even more frugal than their predecessors when it comes to fuel consumption. Despite the fact that its performance has improved by 12 hp, for example, the basic engine will now consume roughly 6 per cent less fuel in the MVEG fuel efficiency comparison.

"Let's hope there is a way to get this that does not involve shelling out tons of money. Or those of us who are Transformers completists will also be driving brand new Aveo's shortly."

August 13, 2007

Striking exterior and high-class interior

New Chevrolet Aveo celebrates its world premiere in Frankfurt

• Launch in Europe as of March 2008
• Two petrol engines with 84 or 98 hp; manual or automatic transmission

Zurich. Chevrolet Europe will present the Kalos' successor at the Frankfurt Motor Show (13 to 23 September 2007). The most significant features of this completely reworked model are its striking exterior, its high-class interior and a new, even more efficient petrol engine. Like its notchback stable mate, the new hatchback model will now bear the Aveo name throughout Europe. Sales will start in March 2008.

The Aveo hatchback sports Chevrolet's new design features, as characterised by the big horizontally split radiator grille with a body-coloured crossbeam and the brand logo sitting prominently in the center. The dynamic detailing includes large, curved, clear-glass headlamps and fog lamps that project like spotlights from the lower part of the bumper. In profile, the body's prominent shoulder lines catch the eye, while the back of the car is dominated by the solid bumper and the round tail lamps in a clear-glass housing.

There is a choice of two petrol engines: a new 1.2-litre unit with an output of 84 hp, and the existing 1.4-litre engine, which now develops 98 hp and is available with automatic transmission.

Those who connect the cars, or offer a connection to cars, and/or play Connect Four in moving vehicles point out that despite the onward press for fuel efficiency and skyrocketing gas prices don't have Americans rushing to by B-class vehicles like the Chevy Aveo. They cite a an Automotive News piece pointing out that the munchkin-sized vehicles only account for 101,000 in a 5.2 million-vehicle market that includes light trucks. Is this a hangover from the halcyon fuel-huffing days of the past, is it hope that with oil prices dropping, gasoline will follow suit, or is it something else? – Davey G. Johnson

Are We Ready to Downsize Our Cars? [The Car Connection]

Related:
Intelligent Cars Drink Less Gas Than Hybrids! [Internal]

High School Offers Car To Student With Perfect Attendance [10news.com]; Mr. T School Quality Crayons [Mr. T and Me]

Related:
You Always Give Up: Aveo Bestselling Subcompact; Wert's Got His Eyes On The Prize, Looks To "Support" Chevy Aveo College PR Promotion [Internal]

In the year since Shanghai General Motors launched its Daewoo-developed Chevrolet Aveo in China, the car's gained traction among the country's growing middle class and the peasant class that sweats them. Now, the company's worked up a show model for Auto China 2006 to tweak the country's burgeoning audience for aftermarket accessories. Sure, this Aveo looks like it was passing by just as JC Whitney exploded, but the kids want what they want. – Mike Spinelli

[via Auto Sina]

Related:
You Always Give Up: Aveo Bestselling Subcompact [internal]