2007 Chevrolet Aveo

“Customers will recognize the Aveo sedan as a ‘smart buy’ that delivers on Chevy’s Total Value Promise,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “With its good looks, enjoyable driving experience and ‘big car’ personality, Aveo plays a big role in Chevy’s passenger car family.”

In redesigning the sedan, the Aveo team reached beyond the important affordability factor to overachieve all-around, with great design, a smooth, safe driving experience and amenities that until now were rare in the segment.

The 2007 Aveo sedan is available in LS and LT models, and illustrates Chevy’s philosophy of offering more for less. Both models offer many standard features and an impressive range of options. The 2007 Aveo sedan builds on advancements, such as standard side-impact air bags, implemented during the 2006 model year. The new LS and LT sedans join the Aveo5 hatchback LS and Special Value Model. (Please see separate release for more information on Aveo5).

The Aveo sedan is well-equipped, with standard features that include a five-speed manual transmission; 1.6L 16-valve E-TEC II DOHC that delivers 103 horsepower (77kW) and 107 lb.-ft. of torque; air conditioning with cabin filtration and rear-seat air vents; vented front disc and rear drum brakes; stainless steel exhaust; and front MacPherson strut suspension with rear semi-independent with torsion beam suspension.

Other standard features include:

• Power rack-and-pinion steering
• Intermittent windshield wipers
• Dual-stage frontal driver and passenger air bags and seat-mounted side-impact air bags
• Body-color outside rearview mirrors and door handles
• AM/FM stereo radio with auxiliary input jack (for an iPod or other device)
• Driver’s seat with fold-down armrest, manual height adjuster and manual lumbar adjuster
• 60/40 split-folding rear seats with height-adjustable head restraints for outboard passengers
• Tilt steering wheel
• Tilting head restraints
• Rear window defogger
• Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs)
• Sunglass and ticket holders
• Driver and front passenger seatback map pockets on all models

Aveo LS sedan options include an Aisin four-speed automatic transmission with Hold Control Mode that gives the driver the ability to manually shift gears (also available on LT); four-channel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (also available on LT); and 14-inch alloy wheels (14-inch steel wheels with a redesigned bolt-on wheel cover are standard).

Other LS options include:

• Fog lamps
• AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player
• Six-speaker premium sound system (if above stereo is ordered)
• Cruise control, remote keyless entry package including content theft-deterrent system, power windows and power locks
• Trunk-mounted rear spoiler with CHMSL
• Engine block heater for easier starting in cold climates

The uplevel Aveo LT offers most of the standard features that are on the LS model, as well as standard equipment that is generally optional on competitive vehicles. These features include:

• 15-inch aluminum wheels, 15-inch all-season blackwall tires
• Heated power-adjusting outside rearview mirrors
• Cruise control and remote keyless entry package that includes content theft-deterrent system and power door locks
• Power windows with passenger lockout
• AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player
• Six-speaker premium sound system
• Front deluxe cloth bucket seats with recline feature, adjustable head restraints and convenience hooks

LT options include fog lamps and trunk-mounted rear spoiler with CHMSL, as well as features that are available only on LT, such as

• Engine immobilizer theft-deterrent system
• Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
• Premium power sunroof with sliding shade and tilt position
• AM/FM stereo radio with six-disc in-dash CD/MP3 player
• Front perforated leatherette bucket seats with recline feature, adjustable head restraints and convenience hooks
• Mud guards

Crisp, modern exterior design

The 2007 Aveo sedan is high in style and progressive in attitude. It is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor and features crisp, sculpted lines and a wide, confident stance. The design skillfully creates the illusion of a larger car through attributes such as contoured side feature lines that rise from front to rear, pronounced “shoulders” over the wheel openings and body-color door sills.

Aveo sedan’s V-shaped hood lines point to its distinctively Chevy front fascia, which boasts a chrome-accented grille with prominent cross bar and iconic gold bowtie emblem. The sedan’s new, more assertive and dynamic look is highlighted by premium cues, including three-dimensional, richly detailed headlamps that extend into the hood, available front fog lamps and bold, round taillamps, which are set within jeweled bezels.

Contributing to Aveo sedan’s more aerodynamic design is the incorporation of the radio antenna into the rear glass. Extensive wind tunnel testing also helped reduce the coefficient of drag from 0.348 to a more slippery 0.326, compared to the previous model.

The redesigned Chevy Aveo sedan represents the new global face of Chevrolet design for the more than 120 countries where Aveo is being introduced.

Refined interior with a modern twist

The new Aveo sedan cabin reflects a youthful interpretation of refinement. Its signature “tall car” design and generous dimension offer ample interior space – capable of accommodating passengers more than 6 feet tall in each of the five seating positions. An enhanced combination of sound-dampening technologies and improved aerodynamics provides a quiet and comfortable ride, even at higher speeds.

The contemporary appearance of the 2007 Aveo sedan’s interior is achieved through integrated components, meticulous craftsmanship and complementary colors in three different interior design packages. Striking features, including a two-tone scheme, rich instrumentation; attractive accents (metallic grain and satin chrome for charcoal and charcoal deluxe cloth upholstery, respectively; wood grain appearance for neutral cloth and neutral deluxe cloth and available neutral perforated leatherette) provide visual and tactile interest. Precision in fit and finish details caps the Aveo sedan’s high-quality appearance.

The sedan’s interior was designed for maximum comfort and convenience, which is evidenced in elements such as standard tilting front-seat headrests, a folding driver’s armrest and lower-profile rear-seat headrests. Additional conveniences include dual visor vanity mirrors, a sunglass holder on the driver side headliner, door and seatback storage pockets; and clever hooks, located on headrest posts, that can hold items such as backpacks or shopping bags.

Theater-style rear seating provides a commanding view for all passengers. A fully reclining front passenger seat and a 60/40-split folding rear seat expand Aveo’s interior cargo capacity, enabling long items, such as skis, to be carried between the trunk and passenger compartment. The trunk offers 12.4 cubic feet (350L) of storage space, more than the previous model.

More value is delivered through the tilt-adjustable steering wheel, six-way adjustable front seats (with manual lumbar adjustment on driver seat), on-key remote keyless entry (no separate fob) and available cruise control.

Aveo sedan’s radios are derived from GM’s new family of premium radio systems, distinguished by upscale appearance, simplicity of operation and range of features and capabilities. An auxiliary input jack for iPods, satellite radio accessories and other devices is standard on all radios. The base radio is an AM/FM stereo with four speakers. A CD/MP3-capable ratio with six-speaker sound system is available, as is a six-disc in-dash CD changer radio. Steering wheel audio controls are available.

A high-quality driving experience comes from a strong vehicle body that is well insulated. Extensive sound insulation, enhanced even further for 2007, helps minimize wind, road and engine noise inside the cabin. Even the stainless steel exhaust system is tuned to reduce noise.

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A dynamic driving experience

The 2007 Aveo sedan was engineered and validated for a broad range of driving and road conditions around the world and tuned for a dynamic, well-planted driving experience.

The chassis systems on the 2007 Aveo reflect further refinements of features developed for the 2006 models, which were enhanced significantly compared to earlier versions of the car.

The suspension system begins with a MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar and an independent torsion beam axle mount compound link-type rear suspension with gas-charged shocks.

Power-assisted, variable-rate rack-and-pinion steering is standard. The steering gear is mounted on the front suspension cross member for precise action and stability.

Standard on the Aveo sedan are power-assisted front disc and rear drum brakes; a four-channel ABS system is available. The four-sensor – one at each wheel – system incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on factors including road conditions and the weight of passengers and/or cargo.

For 2007, the focus is on delivering more refined, precise ride and handling characteristics for more confident high-speed road command and agile, responsive control, especially in more demanding driving situations such as rapid lane changes at highway speeds.

New drive-enhancing features on the 2007 Aveo sedan include:

• A wide, solid stance and long wheelbase (97.6 inches / 2479 mm) with a front tread of 57.1 inches and rear tread of 56.3 inches (compared to 55.5 inches in 2006) deliver a smooth, confident, stable ride. This wide footprint is among the best in class, making the car very surefooted, imparting a sense of confidence and stability among driver and passengers.
• A 17-mm front stabilizer bar combined with higher rate front springs and more highly damped front shocks minimize the amount of vehicle roll and increase the roll damping to provide more precise control for the driver. New suspension bushings also contribute to the precise handling control. This fully retuned suspension package provides a distinctively European-style performance and feel.
• Valve tuning in the rack and pinion hydraulic-assist steering system is consistent with the suspension tuning to provide more precise control.

Fifteen-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels are standard on LT and available on LS, which also offers available 14-inch aluminum wheels. Fourteen-inch steel wheels with a redesigned bolt-on wheel cover are standard on LS.

Responsive powertrain

Powering Aveo is GM’s proven, sophisticated 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder engine that produces 103 horsepower (77 kW)* and 107 lb.-ft. of torque (148 Nm)*. The engine is enhanced by an electronic throttle control, added for the 2006 model year, and variable geometry induction system, which help maximize power across the rpm range. Electronic throttle control enhances driveability and fuel economy, while reducing emissions.

The engine’s variable geometry induction system is designed with a longer runner length at slower speeds to increase low-end torque up to 10 percent. The system includes a bypass valve that is activated in high rpm or heavy throttle applications. Features include:

• A roller type cam follower to minimize valve friction and noise and enhance fuel economy
• A plastic engine upper cover for noise dampening / quieter operation
• A single serpentine accessory belt drive system with automatic tensioner
• An engine cooling fan system with 366-mm diameter fan

A smooth-shifting, five-speed manual transmission is standard. The available Aisin four-speed automatic transmission features adaptive shift technology. The segment-exclusive Hold Control Mode special feature helps reduce wheel spin and traction loss on slick roads by allowing the driver to select and hold a higher gear, which reduces torque to the wheels. It enables sportier driving operation by allowing the driver to control shift points similar to manual transmission operation.

Whether the manual or automatic transmission is selected, the Aveo powertrain is fuel-efficient. Estimated EPA fuel economy is 27 mpg city/35 mpg highway for the manual-equipped Aveo sedan and 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway for the automatic-equipped Aveo sedan.** Aveo meets the ULEV II emissions standard which, along with its outstanding fuel economy, makes it one of the cleanest, most economical vehicles available in North America.

Safe and secure

The Aveo sedan experience is enhanced by a comprehensive system of safety and security technologies designed to meet safety standards in markets around the globe. For the 2006 model, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded Aveo a five-star rating in the frontal crash test for both the driver and front passenger.

Aveo’s safety starts with a high-strength steel structure that creates a safety cage around the passenger compartment. The structure has been engineered to help maintain passenger compartment integrity and features tailor-welded blanks, a feature not typically found on vehicles in the segment.

The 2007 Aveo sedan includes standard advanced dual-stage frontal air bags and the GM Passenger Sensing System. The dual-stage frontal air bags deploy at different levels, depending on the severity of the crash. Standard seat-mounted side-impact air bags provide additional head and thorax protection.

Additional Aveo sedan safety and security features include:

• Front safety belt pretensioners with front-load limiters
• Height-adjustable shoulder belt anchors
• Lower Anchors and Top Tether for Children (LATCH) child seat attachment system in the rear seats
• Rear child safety door locks
• Driver knee bolsters
• Emergency hatch release inside the trunk
• Fuel door lock with remote release feature
• Available engine immobilizer theft-deterrent system

Aveo and Chevrolet’s global expansion

In 2005, 68,085 Aveos were sold in the United States, signaling that there is an opportunity for growth in the small but important subcompact segment.

The Aveo lineup attracts the highest rate of first-time buyers of any GM vehicle, providing a great opportunity to earn these customers’ long-term loyalty. Like the small, premium-car Cobalt family and the HHR small crossover vehicle, Aveo also generates a high number of conquest sales.

The Aveo is making inroads around the world, and will be sold in more than 120 countries under several nameplates (primarily under the Chevrolet brand). It is the top-selling car produced by GM Daewoo in Korea (GMDAT). About half of vehicles produced by GMDAT are Chevrolet models. The number is steadily rising as the expertise and quality record of GM’s Korean subsidiary and Chevy’s tradition of “more than expected” value increasingly resonate around the globe.

The Aveo is the top-selling Chevy model in Europe and is a great contributor to the brand’s global expansion.