SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8
This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you can get at home.
*To read one of our archived road tests, just select from the alphabetical menu of manufacturers' names on the left. Hover your cursor over the manufacturer's name, then choose from the drop-down menu that appears.
*Please remember too, that prices quoted were those ruling on the days I wrote the reports.
Posted: 4 June 2014
Just over two years ago we reported that GMSA was being cagey about when, or if, the 1400cc turbomotor available in the US would join our local lineup.
It duly arrived last December to replace the 1800cc engine in Cruze and was dropped into a Sonic hatchback this past February. It couldn’t have gone to a nicer home. And just to show that those folks at GM remember their history, they named it RS (for Rally Sport) in honour of the 1967 Camaro that wore the same initials.
Actually, that RS was no more than a styling package and had little to do with somewhat more aggressive SS and Z/28 models available at the time. Its entry-level motor was the famous 3.8-litre inline six fitted to the stylish Opel Rekord-based 2500/3800/4100 Chevrolets we knew in the ‘70s. Interestingly, that engine developed 104 kilowatts, just one more than our little test car does. Isn’t technology amazing?
Speaking of technology, GM has joined the swing toward youth-oriented cars with MyLink; popular infotainment functions fronted by an easy-to-use interface that transforms your ride into a connected entertainment hub. Allowing favourite music, picture and video formats to be streamed or played via most smartphones, MyLink is standard on the RS and features as an optional extra on 2014 Sonic LS models.
Bluetooth audio streaming with playlist customisation and full smartphone integration permits MyLink to stay connected and become an extension of the phone itself. Phonebook and call list integration with smart dialling makes calling easy, while video- and picture gallery viewing while stationary adds a further touch. Its high-resolution seven-inch touch screen, integrated into the vehicle’s dashboard, features touch button controls while voice activation of most smartphones, and the steering wheel-mounted buttons, mean the system can be operated in complete safety with both hands on the wheel.
USB and auxiliary ports ensure that other sources of music, videos or photos can be easily integrated while 35 pre-set and 15 auto-stored AM or FM radio stations can be programmed in, to round off the system.
Sonic RS is readily identified by distinct yet subtle design cues on the outside, including a more aggressive front bumper with expressive and angular fog lights and chrome detailing. Gunmetal-painted 17-inch, five-spoke, alloy wheels with 205/50 tyres are separated by chunky new side skirts and black-painted door mirrors feature integrated LED indicators. At the rear, motorcycle-inspired tail lights are joined by a new roof spoiler, an accented rear diffuser with bold trapezoidal exhaust tip and special Sonic RS badging.
The interior continues the sporty look with quality materials expressing the RS theme. Red accents include the stitching on the leather-bound, flat-bottomed steering wheel, “RS” emblems on the seats and piping on the floor mats to embody the Sonic’s zestful personality. The upgraded rev counter features an RS badge.
Other features setting it apart from lesser Sonics are sports suspension, speed sensitive power steering with fully adjustable multi-function wheel, satellite buttons for the audio system and cruise control, piano black and matt-silver trim, leather-and-suede sports seats, sports pedals, and RS floor mats. Safety equipment includes disc brakes all around with ABS, EBD and BAS, ESC and traction control, a full-size spare wheel, ISOFIX child seat anchors, hill start assist and four airbags.
So how does she go? It’s geared shorter than the turbo Cruze, pulling about 3100 rpm at 120 km/h in sixth while maintaining good roll-on ability and uphill acceleration. Zero-to-100 time and top speed are essentially the same as for the bigger-bodied car. Fuel consumption worked out slightly heavier, but there’s an excellent chance that we were simply ‘enjoying’ the Sonic more. It sits solidly on the road and handles securely but we did notice some wind and road noise at cruising speeds.
Because the boot has a three-level adjustable shelf, you will find either a flat loading deck as the hatch opens, or a lip up to 16 centimetres deep. The load volume is neat and rectangular but not vast, measuring 253 litres with seats up and 653 with them folded. A single, right-handed, pull down handle is built in. The spare is a Sonic standard steel rim with 195/65 R15 tyre.
Head- and knee room in the back is better than average for small cars although foot space under the driver’s chair can be marginal. Three belts and two head restraints are provided for passengers, but storage is limited with just one seatback pocket and a single cup holder at the tail end of the console. There are no door bins in the rear. We found the sills a little deep and it was easy to get big feet entangled, making exiting awkward.
The driver faces a big, red-rimmed (RS-specific) analogue tachometer and a digital speedo with tank, computer readout and odometer screens to its right. The six-speed manual gear stick is easy to reach and smooth in operation, the hand brake is exactly where it should be, pedals are well spaced and there is enough room for big left feet to find a spot on the floor.
Tractable enough to burble gently through traffic or to get past obstacles quickly, the RS is a pleasure to drive. Chronically untidy drivers and front seat passengers will find more than sufficient space to scatter their stuff with two cubbies, a pair of cup holders, three open boxes and nicely sized door bins.
This Sonic RS is Chevrolet’s first venture into providing a sporty option in the ‘B’ segment. It deserves to do well.
Test car from GMSA press fleet
The numbers
Price: R225 300
Engine: 1364 cc, DOHC with vvt, turbocharged
Power: 103 kW at 6000 rpm
Torque: 200 Nm at 4000 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 9,5 seconds
Maximum speed: 197 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 7,5 l/100 km
Tank: 46 litres
Warranty: 5 years/120 000 km; with roadside assistance
Service plan: 3 years/60 000 km; at yearly or 15 000 km intervals
This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.
I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material. If I ever place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with that vehicle at least once already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.
Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. As quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so they can see I do actually exist.
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SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8