Chevrolet Aveo 2011 concept hatchback debuts

If you ever thought the Chevy Aveo was beyond redemption, this new concept may change your mind. To be shown at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, the Chevrolet Aveo RS concept is a gussied-up version of the production 2011 Aveo hatchback that will debut in the U.S. later this year.

Power for the concept RS comes from a turbocharged 1.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, good for 138 hp and 200 Nm of torque that is already available in the US-spec Chevy Cruze. Other features include front-wheel-drive, 6-speed manual gearbox, centre-mounted exhaust and 19-inch wheels.

Judging by its size, the Aveo hatchback would fall between the all-new Spark and the all-new Cruze, thus completing Chevy’s new small-car line-up.

This RS is supposed to be only a “hot hatch” concept study, and is not slated for production, but the styling cues will make it to the next Aveo. The engine also will not be offered, and the production version will likely have some sort of non-turbo 4-cylinder with 100 hp to 120 hp. Expect the new GCC version version to reach the UAE by the winter of 2010, after the U.S. launch later this year. While the U.S. version will be built in the States, our version will likely come from Korea.

Keep track of updates in the Chevrolet Aveo buyer guide and the Chevrolet Aveo5 buyer guide.