Hold That Hill: 2012 Chevy Sonic Lends 'Extra Foot'

Hill-Hold technology frees drivers to let go of brake

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Aug 03, 2011, 09:00 ET

MILFORD, Mich., Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- We've all needed an extra hand at one time or another – but what about an extra foot? The 2012 Chevy Sonic offers just that – an "extra foot" with standard hill-hold technology on all manual transmission models that can help novice and veteran stick drivers better manage hills.

Typically, car manufacturers introduce cutting edge technology and new features in luxury models and gradually filter them down to mainstream vehicles. However, Chevy is introducing hill-hold technology in the all-new Sonic, a sub-compact car starting at $14,495 including a $760 destination charge.

Hill-hold technology makes navigating hilly terrain with a manual as effortless as an automatic, allowing drivers to get started without rolling backward or forward.

In a Sonic equipped with hill-hold, a pitch sensor detects the tilt of the body when the car is stopped on a slope and sends a signal to the stability control system. This triggers the electronically controlled brake hardware to keep the wheels clamped for up to two seconds after the driver releases the brake pedal.

"It will retain the braking force that the driver applied with the chassis control system and hold the vehicle in place," said John Buttermore, lead development engineer for the Sonic. "That's long enough for the driver to safely apply the accelerator and let out the clutch for a smooth start, always heading in the right direction."

Hill-hold is like giving Sonic drivers a third foot, enhancing both the safety and the convenience of driving in hilly terrain.

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About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly to gas-free" solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

SOURCE General Motors