First drive: 2012 Chevy Aveo 1.3-litre diesel and 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrol

The Chevy brand name is an emotive one. They’ve recently celebrated 100 years in the motoring game, and for me, when I think of Chevrolet –
or Chevys – I think of big, bold and brash automotive icons of a bygone era; V8-powered. I once owned a car with a 5.7-litre Chevy V8 under the hood and as the cubic capacity would suggest, it was a deliciously thumping beast. But you wouldn’t want to fill it up!

Back in the real word – and specifically the UK – where petrol prices make even Lord Alan Sugar feel distinctly sour, we’ve long been fans of the small, nippy and frugal around-town-motors – like the long best-selling Ford Fiesta – so the modern era Chevys must do all these important small car things, but hopefully, perhaps, with a dash of the bad-boy-attitude of the Chevys of old. It’s a big ask, I know.

So, here’s the all-new Aveo with a redesigned everything inside and out and, most importantly, distinctly non-V8 engines. In fact, engines that are right where they should be for under a small car’s hood – that’s under 100g/km of CO2 - so some of them get to dodge road tax and the London congestion charge.

The range-starting price of £9,995 – for the 86bhp, 1.2-litre petrol with a 5-speed manual gearbox and 111g/km of CO2, in basic LS trim - is also potentially interesting – though £500 more than the base Fiesta – but Chevy want you to compare the spec for spec on similar cars. There’s a 5-year warranty, too.

First impressions:
Aveo is boldly styled indeed, most notably with a square and sharp front-end punctuated by four separate, black plastic-bezelled headlights that throw out their aggressive stare.

Next there are some modern-looking 15- or 16-inch, five-double-spoke alloys, a high shoulderline, “hidden” rear doors, a deceptively large boot, and finally, another lesson in attention-grabbing lighting at the rear.

I think the designers have pulled of a distinctive and modern look for their new Aveo, and with that front-end glare; perhaps a little bad-boy attitude, too.

Into the interior:
Interior inner space and cunningness of packaging are extremely important areas for new Aveo to shine, especially when compared to the best-selling Fiesta which is in the elite class for its interior game.

Inside, the Aveo again comes out with striking-styling-guns blazing, and your own taste will dictate how much up your thumb goes. But, it’s clean, modern, mostly good on the plastics-feel of things – although the black stuff the hidden rear door handles are made of doesn’t feel great – and there’s a decent amount of wriggle room front and back.

Personally, I liked the tacho-dominated digital dash binnacle as soon as I saw it; others were less impressed. It looked a little sci-fi to me, and when lit up in dull conditions it displayed its information well, apart from the up-shift-gear-prompt that blended with the rest of the info, being the same (pleasant) blue colour.

The seats worked well enough for me – with the mid-range LT model featuring 4-way driver’s seat adjustment; all-important if you’re anything other than average. In the most basic LS trim, the Aveo enjoys features like air-con, cruise control, remote locking, a rear spoiler, CD-stereo radio, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors and electric front windows. And that’s not a bad haul.

The drive – diesel power:
There are three diesel engine variants to choose from in your new Aveo; all 1.3-litre and all featuring the latest in variable-geometry turbocharging, with an intercooler.

The entry-level diesel engine makes 75bhp and 190Nm of torque from 1750rpm, then there’s the 95bhp variant that produces 210Nm of torque from 1750rpm. And greenest of all is the “eco” version of the same 95bhp engine that returns a quoted 78.4mpg on the combined cycle and has CO2 emissions of 95g/km.

That extra 20bhp means some more fun on the road (and it’s over two seconds faster to 60mph), with the 95bhp car edging ahead as the “driver’s car” of choice, and with the 95bhp “Eco” car coming in at just £450 (both in LT trim) more than the 99g/km, 75-horser, unless cash is really strapped, you might as well.

Handling-wise, all the Aveos served up an all-round accomplished ride, featuring flat and grippy cornering with enough supple attitude to iron out all but the most wicked pot holes. However, engine-noise-wise, I’d say the diesel Aveos are a little on the vocal side.

The drive – petrol power:
The cheapest of the new Aveo family is the £9,995 LS trim, 1.2-litre petrol with 86bhp and a 5-speed manual gearbox, and a CO2 rating of 111g/km.

This little engine is quiet and quite spritely – 13.6secs to 62mph, and on to 107mph – and is expected to be the best-seller in the Aveo range. Chevy quote a combined economy figure of 60.1mpg, while emissions are 111g/km.

The 1.4-litre petrol engine delivers 100bhp and feels a little faster still, but not that much faster to warrant the higher price and higher CO2, in my opinion.

It was coupled to the 1.4 that I tried out Chevy’s new 6-speed automatic gearbox. It did its job well enough, but unless stick-shift really isn’t an option for you, I’d recommend the Aveo with a manual gearbox for anyone that’s looking to exploit that pleasantly engaging chassis.

Ten second sum up:
The new Chevrolet Aveo is certainly bold on the outside, respectably furnished on the inside, and correctly frugally-minded in the engines department. Some of the design and ergonomics may not be perfect, but the drive and prices are good, making it well worth a look – especially if you value some extra spec.

Prices and availability:
The new Chevy Aveo range starts at £9,995 for the LS 1.2 petrol 86PS, rising to £13,615 for the LTZ 1.3 VCDi 95PS. Available now. 

www.chevrolet.co.uk



New Aveo styling is certainly distinct






"Hidden" rear door handles is an old trick. Does the Aveo pull it off? 












The new range of Aveo engines are where they should be economy-wise



Boot looks small on the outside, but reveals its space with a lift of the lid



Motorcycle-inspired instrument binnacle



Aveo space, fit, finish and comfort are good 















Dark grey is my colour of choice









Words & pics: Daniel Anslow / Chevrolet

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