New Chevrolet Aveo Debuts at 2010 Paris Motor Show

• Competes with: Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit 
• Looks like: Pretty much a spitting image of the Aveo RS show car from Detroit 
• Drivetrain: 100-115 horsepower four-cylinder with six-speed automatic or manual transmissions 
• Hits dealerships: Sometime in 2011 

Chevrolet has released more information and two new production shots of the new Aveo, which will go on sale in the U.S. and Canada in 2011.

The two photos of the five-door hatchback show a car that resembles the Aveo RS show car we saw at the 2010 Detroit auto show.

We’ve already seen how the production Aveo sedan will look when GM provided us with a few renderings after the Detroit show. The only major modifications we see here, compared to the concept RS, are the wheels, side mirrors and front bumper. Overall, the silhouette is less aggressive, which we expected. That’s not to say Chevrolet didn’t take some design risks: The exposed headlamps are daring and something usually relegated to the aftermarket industry.

The new Aveo is wider and longer than the current model, which should give it interior and cargo volumes that are among the best in the class, according to GM. While no interior shots were provided, we’ve seen what the production interior will look like: The front dash will feature a dual-cowl design and the popular ebony/brick interior color combination that’s found on the Chevrolet Equinox and Malibu. There will be an offset analog tachometer, digital speedometer readout and ambient lighting that matches the car’s look. Bluetooth and USB inputs will be available. No word as to whether there are any major interior differences between the sedan and hatchback body styles.

GM is introducing the Aveo to European buyers first and there is little talk of which powertrains will be available in the U.S. We will most likely get the 1.4-liter and/or the 1.6-liter here in the States, which make 100 hp and 115 hp, respectively, unless Chevrolet decides to give us something even more powerful like the Cruze’s 1.4-liter turbo, which was on the Aveo RS show car. Those two powertrain are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission or a five- or six-speed manual. Electronic stability control and antilock brakes will be standard (ESC isn’t available on the current model and ABS is optional).

The current Aveo is powered by a fairly antiquated four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission that get an EPA-estimated 25/34 mpg city/highway, which is the one of the worst fuel economy ratings in the class. These new powertrain setups could change that standing dramatically.

The Aveo will slot underneath the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and be priced to compete against the new Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, which all come reasonably equipped at $15,500 to $17,000.