2010 Detroit Auto Show: Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept

Chevrolet's press release for the Aveo RS describes the concept as a "dynamic hot hatch designed to appeal to young enthusiasts." And after seeing its electric blue paint, bad-attitude glare and wide, athletic stance, we'd be hard pressed to disagree. What you're actually looking at here is a pumped-up, thinly-disguised version of the upcoming replacement for one of the best-selling sub-compact cars in America.

To be honest, however large its sales numbers, the current Chevy Aveo is a crappy car. If you own one, I'm sorry, but it's true. It looks cheap and has a driving experience to match. The next generation Aveo previewed by this concept will look to rectify the wrongs of the current car and sustain its impressive sales numbers as exciting new competitors come to market.

From a styling standpoint, a lot of what you see here will carry over from concept to production, and that bodes well for the Aveo's potential success. Major stuff, like the vastly-improved proportions, the wider and longer body and the car's silhouette, should all make the transition mostly intact. The bits that won't are the things that give the Aveo RS its SEMA showcar presence and include the great-looking 19-in. wheels, low ride-height, aggressive lower front intakes, flush door handles, slim rear-view mirrors and the centrally-located exhaust system. We're hopeful that details such as the motorcycle-inspired headlights and taillights survive the production car scalpel, along with the oversized fender flares that do so much for the overall look and attitude of this small car.

Inside the Aveo RS the story is much the same, with even more of what you see set to make production. Sure, materials will be different, with leather coverings giving way to soft touch plastics and such, but most elements such as the instrument panel with its round, analog rev counter and asymmetrical LCD readout - also motorcycle influenced - should remain in the production car.

With Ford's impressive new Fiesta and Focus models raising the bar for all small cars to follow, the new Aveo must redefine itself and aim to surpass good and get somewhere near great. The more of the Aveo RS concept that arrives in showrooms next year, the better.

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