Chevrolet Unveils its SEMA Lineup

11 years ago - 30 October 2013, Autoblog
Chevrolet Unveils its SEMA Lineup
Hype surrounding this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show next month started months ago, and automakers and aftermarket companies alike have been previewing the vehicles that attendees will be able to see on the show floor. Chevrolet now can officially be added to that list, as it recently announced seven "performance-oriented concepts" it's bringing to the show.

Three Sonic concepts will bow. The Chevrolet Performance Sonic RS is faster and handles and stops better than the stock car. A cold-air intake and high-flow exhaust system gives it a bit more power, a track-tuned suspension lowers the car, which rides on 18-inch wheels, and endows it with better handling, and the Wilwood front brake calipers improve braking performance. Visual enhancements round out the package, some of which you can see in the photo gallery. Follow on below to read about the rest.

The Ricky Carmichael All-Activity Sonic has all of the upgrades of the Sonic RS, but adds turbocharger upgrades to increase its output. The other enhancements are mostly cosmetic, such as boardshort material used for the seat inserts, but it also gets an upgraded sound system and Thule roof rack. Check out the photo gallery to see it. Also, you can see Carmichael show off the car in a video below.

The Personalization Sonic (seen at top) is an exercise in how Chevy can accessorize the little hatch. It will start out as a somewhat unassuming Sonic with some cosmetic upgrades and a Kicker 200-Watt amp and 200-Watt powered subwoofer. But over the course of the show, it will receive performance upgrades including a Borla exhaust system, the aforementioned sport suspension and Wilwood brakes, and an 18-inch wheel-and-tire package.

The Spark EV concept (read our review of it here) has been advertised as a budget car with smile-inducing performance (hey, with 400 pound-feet of torque, it has more torque than a certain Italian exotic, the Ferrari 458 Italia), but Chevy intends to up the ante with the Spark EV Tech Performance. Check it out in the photo gallery. It builds on the stock car's performance with a "unique power-delivery algorithm that enhances acceleration." Stronger axles are equipped to cope with the high amount of torque, which is put to the ground through tires wrapped around billet aluminum wheels.

Rounding out Chevy's showing are the Urban Cool Impala concept, Malibu LTZ concept and Personalization Cruze Diesel concept. The Impala concept gets custom-painted grille accents and "performance-style" ground effects and 20-inch wheels in the same color as the grille accents. The Malibu concept is equipped with performance-style ground effects, too, and 19-inch wheels, though it also gets a cold-air intake and a Borla exhaust system. The Personalization Cruze Diesel has a ground-effects package by 3dCarbon and revised front fascia and chin spoiler; a Kicker sound system and ambient lighting spruce up the interior.