Detroit Show 2010 Highlights: Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept

After taking heat for years for its subpar compact entries, General Motors is firing back. The new Chevrolet Cruze debuted last month at the Los Angeles auto show; the Spark is on its way; and Chevrolet is completing the trifecta with the Aveo RS show car, a thinly veiled preview of the long-awaited Aveo replacement.

Knowing full well that the replacement needed to greatly improve upon the existing Aveo, Chevrolet has made the new hatchback wider, longer, and more spacious that the one it will replace. For the show car, Chevy has gone all out with special design cues including big front fender flares, extra-large brake cooling ducts with pushed-out fog lights, and big air inlets trimmed in both brushed and polished aluminum.

Other elements are more likely to make it to the production car, including the exposed, aluminum-trimmed headlights and round taillights, elements Chevy says were inspired by motorcycles. Turn signals integrated into the mirrors, and rear door handles tucked into the C-pillars, are also likely to carry over to the production model. The chrome, center-exit exhaust tips, racy roof spoiler, and aluminum-trimmed, tinted tail lights are a bit less likely.

While some of these bits might not be found on the production car, they may be available as accessories. Chevy says it's targeting younger buyers and enthusiasts and hopes to hook them with the kinds of personalization options that have been such a hit for small-car competitors Scion and Kia. For the show car, Chevy even crafted a special silver engine cover with aluminum accents flanked by wheel-colored honeycomb grilles, and blue-rimmed coolant and power steering caps. The company hasn't said yet which, if any, of these show car items will actually be offered as factory or dealer upgrades.

Thanks to: Motor Trend