2011 Holden Barina Revealed As Chevrolet Aveo

2011 HOLDEN BARINA

Following last weekend's unveiling of the Holden Cruze Hatchback, Chevrolet has today revealed the final production form of its upcoming Aveo light car - a model likely to make its way to Australia as the next-generation Holden Barina.

Based on the Aveo RS concept revealed in January, the production Aveo shown here - its styling previewed in earlier sedan renderings revealed by GM - has retained much of the concept's sporty proportions and sharp lines.

While the huge wheels and performance-style body kit are no longer evident, the production Aveo has kept the heavily-raked windscreen and angry headlights of the concept.

GM has yet to reveal any images of the Aveo's interior, although the American carmaker lists features that include a motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster, a centre stack backlit in blue and offering loads of storage space, and an audio package that includes the usual Bluetooth, USB and auxiliary connectivity.

Longer and wider than the Kalos-based Barina, the Aveo is scheduled to be the first GM model built on the Gamma II platform, a version of the Fiat-GM developed Gamma/SCCS platform used most recently by the Opel Corsa, Opel Meriva and Alfa Romeo MiTo.

GM says buyers can look forward to a car tuned to European standards, with "a ride and handling ratio that combines comfort with responsiveness."

Standard safety features across the range will include Electronic power steering (EPS), Electronic stability control (ESC) and ABS brakes.

In European markets, the Aveo will be powered by both petrol and diesel engines.

Options on the petrol front will include two 1.2 litre engines producing 52kW and 64kW respectively, a 1.4 litre developing 74kW and a range-topping 1.6 litre engine producing 85kW.

For diesels, options will include two versions of a new 1.3 litre turbodiesel with a Start/Stop system, producing 55kW and 67kW respectively.

Available transmissions will include five-speed and six-speed manual units - depending on the engine specification - and a six-speed automatic transmission, the first to be offered with a GM light car.

While Holden has yet to reveal its hand when it comes to the Aveo's status as the next Barina, the Aveo RS concept was built at Holden's Port Melbourne technical centre.

That fact, combined with the Aveo's likely place as Chevrolet's next global light car, means it's likely only a matter of time before we see Barina-badged Aveos on Australian roads.