2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS

General Motors has finally unveiled the hotter version of their compact hatchback in the form of the 2013 Chevy Sonic RS, which will make its official motor show debut at the 2012 NAIAS in Detroit.

Configured as a five-door model, the Sonic RS is powered by a turbocharged version of the 138 horsepower 1.4-liter Ecotec engine.The styling is borrowed from the Aveo RS Concept that was shown in Detroit almost two years ago, while the suspension and handling have both been tuned.

“The new Chevrolet Sonic RS pushes Chevrolet’s performance heritage in a new direction, for a new generation of drivers,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing. “It takes the Sonic’s great design and latest connectivity features and combines them with a more performance-oriented look and feel.”

Custom touches include four-wheel disk brakes as standard, a full body kit, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a lowered and stiffened suspension by MacPherson with performance-tuned dampers. Performance figures and pricing should be announced soon.