GM News: GM Can't Make A Business Case for A Small Performance Car

[Drew Dowdell]

The Sonic RS also does get a gearbox with different ratios though, so it does feel a bit peppier... but still no rocket. 

[cp-the-nerd]

There's a lot to like about the Sonic RS. I've sat in several of them, the sport seats are simply awesome--full leather with GM's synthetic suede inserts. The manual shifter feels great moving though the gates, the steering wheel feels good, and the overall interior is quite roomy for front occupants. I'd love to have one as a go-cart, haha.

 

My issues mainly pertain with the lack of added power. The aggressive gearing is a mistake, the car turns 3500-4000 rpm at any highway speeds. That's basically a deal breaker for me as engine drone gives me an incredible headache after an hour, not to mention it ruins highway fuel economy (34 mpg vs 40 for standard gearing).

 

The Sonic is due for a midcycle refresh, and I'm hoping the powertrain lineup gets revised. An RS with the new 1.5T and near 40 mpg again would be very appealing.

[daves87rs]

 

 

Nah, I'll think they'll be ready...I onl y have to look at the new Camaro to see where the future lies for cars like the Cruze. I think for the first time in a long time, we'll like what we'll see......

 

 

Perception is different than reality. Unless you have internal knowledge or concrete facts, you are just posting your opinion.

 

 

 

Maybe... just can't say....

 

Point is you don't think the new camaro's tech is not going to rub off on other models?

 

 

Can't dream of a twin turbo Cruze?  

 

 

What new tech? Most of the tech already exists and the small cars with performance exist. Bring one then we can talk.

 

 

 

Maybe I should say more way of thinking...tricks done to the camaro to make it lighter and faster. Models that will get some of that heavy hardware. And if they are going to build a pocket rocket, it better be able to handle some abuse. I think smaller engines are little tougher than the bigger ones just based on how much PSI that little guy can take. While I've seen some good tunes on the Cruze's 1.4, it's also easy to toast if you're not careful. With the right setup, might not be too hard depending on the engine to push some ponies. Watching people beating on their ST's gives me hope GM can do they same.

 

Besides, it might not hurt GM to take a cue from what they did with the new camaro SS....where a regular production engine is built to be abused on a track....Now that Idea I like......