Dubai Motor Show hosts Middle East premiere of all-new 2007 Chevrolet Aveo

"The new Aveo is a perfect example of how GM is utilising our global and domestic resources for the development of cutting-edge products tailored for local users," said Gerry Groenewegen, regional director of Chevrolet. "We look forward to introducing it to the region within the next twelve months, to complement our unmatched line-up of internationally sourced products.

"From a styling point of view, this is a totally new car. We have given the exterior a more dynamic look. The attractive interior has been improved significantly through the addition of a series of new comfort and convenience features," Groenewegen added. "The result is a vehicle that will serve as a benchmark for exterior and interior craftsmanship. It is a product that will appeal to families and individual users alike who are looking for a small car that offers something more than the ordinary small car."

Progressive Exterior

The 2007 Aveo is a true sedan that has an all-new exterior. The front and rear bumpers, radiator grille, headlights and taillights with cylinder-type lamps, outside rear-view mirrors, long outside door handles, aluminium wheels and wheel covers have all been styled to differentiate the sedan from its hatchback sibling.

Edged side character lines, hood character lines that extend to the front bumper, round fog lamps, an optional rear spoiler and 15-inch wheels add a sense of sportiness to the Aveo's progressive design.

The Aveo has a wheelbase of 2,480 millimetres and a height of 1,495 millimetres. Its overall length of 4,310 millimetres and width of 1,710 millimetres are the greatest in its segment. These large exterior dimensions provide the basis for a very generous interior.

Roomy & Attractive Interior

Although a small car, the Aveo has a number of amenities that are generally found in higher-end, higher-priced vehicles; these include tilt steering, a driver's seat armrest, seat-belt height adjusters, power windows, power door locks, intermittent wipers and remote controlled central door locking. The use of wood grain accents on the door panels and instrument panel and optional leather seats provide a luxury feel.

The Aveo is not just good looking; it also is roomy, offering headroom, shoulder room and hip room that are among the best in its class. A high seating position provides Aveo passengers a better view of the road ahead. The Aveo's generous trunk provides improved capacity of up to 400 litres. Convenient split-folding rear seats increase the amount of space for carrying cargo.

Refined Chassis

The Aveo's front-wheel-drive chassis system features MacPherson struts in front and a torsion-beam suspension in the rear. The steering gear is situated on the front suspension cross-member, which improves shock absorption and provides more precise and stable handling. Rack & pinion hydraulic assist steering adds to the Aveo's driving pleasure. The wide stance with a front tread of 1,450 millimetres and a rear tread of 1,430 millimetres, which are both among the best in the Aveo's class, provides enhanced handling and makes the sedan very surefooted.

The Aveo offers strong occupant protection in the event of an accident. It all centres on the stable passenger cell, which is made predominantly of high-strength steel. The B-pillar moves like a pendulum rather than being folded and protruding into the passenger compartment. Known as Tailor-Welded Blanking, or the pendulum method, this is normally used only in larger, upper-segment vehicles.

Providing additional safety are dual front air bags and seat-belt pretensioners, in addition to four-channel, four-sensor anti-lock brakes. The Aveo sedan's hatchback sibling received a top five-star rating in U.S. NCAP frontal crash tests.

Powertrain Choice

The Aveo sold in the region will come with a 1.4-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine, matched to a choice of a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission.