SPORTY LOOKS The most obvious design tweak to the Aveo is the addition of the Chevrolet's corporate grille

By Lionel Kong

THE CHEVROLET AVEO5 will be released here in the first half of 2008, according to importer General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation. It will succeed the current Aveo hatchback in the Chevrolet lineup here.

The current Aveo sedan will continue to remain on sale.

The Aveo5, with the ‘5’ apparently designating it as the five-door variant, is not entirely new. It retains the chassis of the current Aveo hatchback, but gets new body panels, a thoroughly revised interior and an improved engine.

Local versions will be powered by a 98bhp, 1.4-litre engine. The new, improved engine produces 4bhp more than the current unit. Buyers can opt for either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual gearbox.

The most striking feature of the new Aveo5 is its front end, where it gains a pair of upswept headlights and a large, chrome rimmed intake grille that is bisected by the front bumper. This brings the styling of the Aveo5 right in line with the Chevrolet Epica, Optra Magnum and Captiva.

There are also air vents at the bottom of the A-pillars, but these are purely cosmetic and serve no functional purpose.

Besides Singapore, the new Aveo5 will be sold in another 139 countries worldwide including the United States, where the current Aveo is already one of the best selling compact cars in its segment.

Local prices have yet to be confirmed, but the car is expected to be priced competitively against the Suzuki Swift, which sits in the same segment.

It could also face some competition from the upcoming Honda Jazz, which will be slightly pricier but set for a local release around the same time.