The Chevrolet Sonic’s Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine will now be available with either manual or automatic transmission. The 2012 Chevy Sonic Ecotec 1.4L turbo six-speed automatic delivers an EPA-estimated 37 mpg highway and 27 mpg in the city (6.36 and 8.7 L/100 km), while the manual gets 40 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg in the city (5.88 and 8.1 L/100 km).
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| The Hydra-Matic 6T40. Click to enlarge. |
The Hydra-Matic 6T40 automatic transmission is part of GM’s family of six-speed automatic transmissions. The 6T40’s wide overall gear ratio spread provides everything from strong first gear acceleration to fifth and sixth gear overdrive gears for strong highway fuel economy.
Traditionally, turbocharging was used to enhance the performance of engines, but today it is as much about fuel economy as a 0-to-60 time. The turbocharger provides high-pressure airflow for high torque to boost the vehicle and give the driver a fun driving experience with improved fuel efficiency.
—Bob Benedict, assistant chief engineer for the Ecotec 1.4L engine
Sonic’s Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission achieved a 0-to-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds, according to independent AMCI testing; the Sonic with the turbo-automatic combination went from 0 to 60 in about eight seconds.
