Chevrolet has pulled the wraps off of a hotter version of its Sonic. The 2013 Sonic RS is headed for an international debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show next month, and onlookers can expect to see the hatch curtsey with the same 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine found in uplevel Sonics, tuned to yield 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. Speaking from experience, we can say that those figures are good enough to slather a grin over even the most hardened cynic’s face. The RS also brings along a few exterior treatments, including a new front and rear fascia, rear spoiler, side sills and five-spoke alloy wheels.
More importantly, the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS packs a lower, stiffer suspension for improved handling. General Motors isn’t saying just how much lower or stiffer the pieces are over the base Sonic, which leads us to believe the changes aren’t large enough to raise any eyebrows.
Inside, the Sonic RS features sport seats and a sport steering wheel along with aluminum sport pedals and a new gauge cluster treatment. So far, there’s no word on how much the Sonic RS will cost.
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