Chevy Sonic RS: A Look at GM's New Sporty Subcompact [PHOTOS]

General Motors announced Monday that it will unveil a new 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS next month, hoping to attract a new, younger generation of drivers to what the company calls a youthful style and driving experience.

The new Chevrolet Sonic RS pushes Chevrolet's performance heritage in a new direction, for a new generation of drivers, Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing, said of the new Sonic, which will be introduced in January at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

It takes the Sonic's great design and latest connectivity features and combines them with a more performance-oriented look and feel.

The car was first introduced, in concept, at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show as a Chevrolet Aveo RS concept car. Now, it's ready to hit the market in late 2012 as the only subcompact that is made in the U.S.

Among the new features listed of the Sonic, one word is consistent in GM's promotion of its new vehicle: sport. The vehicle looks more aggressive, and GM's color names of Victory Red, Summit White, Cyber Gray Metallic and Black Granite Metallic give the sporty feel.

The Sonic RS will also feature new front sport seats and a new sport steering wheel with a thicker rim and racing-spired flat-bottom design, GM said.

Like the exterior, the Sonic RS's interior looks and feels the part of a true performance car, said Jon Mark, design director for the Sonic. The seats are firm and provide great lateral support during quick cornering and the feel of the thick, flat-bottom steering wheel is a feature driving enthusiasts will truly appreciate.

Other items of attraction for youthful customers are the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment screen, which allows users to sync customized music libraries into the vehicle and display directions downloaded through a smartphone.

Perhaps the most attractive feature, though? The $14,995 starting price. Let's take a look at the Chevy Sonic RS.