After a five-year hiatus, the Chevrolet Sonic is set to return—but not in the form fans might remember. The once-pint-sized sedan and hatchback is being reborn as a compact SUV, specifically designed for the Brazilian market.
Chevrolet has started teasing the new Sonic through a series of images on its Brazilian website and social media channels. While details remain scarce, the visuals hint at a modern, compact design. From the side, the SUV presents a tapered rear window and roof rails, emphasizing a sleek profile. The rear features LED taillights reminiscent of the Equinox EV, flanking a centrally positioned black bowtie badge.
The new Sonic has been entirely designed and developed in Brazil, sharing its underpinnings with the Chevrolet Onix—a model that previously held the title of Brazil’s best-selling car. This connection gives the SUV a foundation of practicality and familiarity, crucial in a market that values compact, efficient vehicles.
“The Sonic revives a global Chevrolet name, now reinterpreted for a new generation of vehicles that expresses innovation and modernity,” said Santiago Chamorro, GM South America president. He also noted that the model will occupy a “strategic segment, not yet explored by the brand, that of coupe SUVs,” signaling Chevrolet’s intent to expand its lineup in the compact SUV space.
Powertrain details are still largely under wraps, though GM Authority reports that the new Sonic will debut with a flex-fuel hybrid setup. While performance may not be the focus, efficiency will likely take center stage—aligning with the needs of Brazilian drivers.
At this stage, it remains unclear whether the reborn Sonic will be offered beyond Brazil or remain a local exclusive. What is clear, however, is that Chevrolet is betting on the Sonic name to reestablish itself in a growing segment, combining a familiar brand with a fresh, modern silhouette tailored for today’s urban SUV buyer.
The C8-generation Chevrolet Corvette has already rewritten the rulebook. By embracing a mid-engine layout, it delivered supercar proportions and performance at a price point that continues to embarrass far more expensive European machinery. From the accessible Stingray to the ferocious Z06 and the hypercar-baiting ZR1X, Chevrolet has built a Corvette lineup broader and more ambitious than ever before. And now, one familiar name may be poised for a long-awaited return.
For some time, speculation has surrounded the revival of the Grand Sport badge, a name deeply rooted in Corvette history. That speculation has intensified in recent weeks, hinting that the rumors may finally be turning into reality.
The spark came last month, when a heavily camouflaged C8 prototype was spotted testing in public. While the bodywork revealed little, the details told a more intriguing story. Most notable were the wheel center caps, which didn’t wear the expected crossed flags. Instead, they featured Buick’s classic Tri-Shield logo—an odd choice that immediately raised eyebrows. Some enthusiasts believe this was no accident, interpreting it as a subtle nod to the original Gran Sport heritage, which has ties to Buick’s performance past.
According to reports from GM Authority and longtime Corvette insider Rick Conti, there is genuine momentum behind the Grand Sport’s return. Central to the story is a new iteration of GM’s Small Block V8, rumored to carry the LS6 designation—a name that alone is enough to stir excitement among Corvette purists.
This next-generation LS6 is said to be offered in two displacements: 5.7 liters and 6.6 liters. A leaked audio clip has only added fuel to the fire, revealing an engine note that sounds unmistakably old-school in character. There’s a deep, muscular growl under throttle, accompanied by crackles on overrun—exactly the kind of soundtrack enthusiasts have been hoping for in an increasingly electrified era.
Beyond what sits under the engine cover, the Grand Sport is also expected to look the part. Reports suggest it will adopt the same widebody treatment used on the E-Ray, Z06, ZR1, and ZR1X, rather than the narrower stance of the base Stingray. If true, that alone would give it a far more aggressive presence on the road.
The Grand Sport is rumored to debut for the 2027 model year, and Chevrolet reportedly expects it to become the highest-volume Corvette in the lineup. That’s a bold claim, but one that makes sense. Positioned correctly, it could attract buyers who want more performance and presence than a Stingray, without stepping all the way up to the price and intensity of the E-Ray or Z06.
Pricing will be key. The E-Ray currently starts at $108,600, while the Z06 commands $120,300. With the Stingray hovering around the $70,000 mark, Chevrolet has a sizeable gap to work with. Most estimates place the Grand Sport somewhere between $85,000 and $100,000—squarely in what many consider the Corvette sweet spot.
If those numbers hold, the returning Grand Sport could become one of the most compelling offerings in the modern Corvette era: wide-bodied, naturally aspirated V8 power, and unmistakable presence, all without crossing into six-figure territory. For enthusiasts watching from the sidelines, the wait may finally be worth it.
Chevrolet has never been shy about wrapping itself in the American flag, but for 2026 the brand is leaning all the way in. To mark the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, Chevy is rolling out the Stars & Steel Collection, a limited-run lineup of special editions that spans everything from America’s sports car to its hardest-working pickups—and even its flagship electric truck. If the mission is to fuse heritage, hardware, and horsepower into one red-white-and-blue statement, Chevrolet clearly got the memo.
At its core, Stars & Steel is about symbolism with substance. Every vehicle in the collection is assembled in the United States, a point Chevy makes repeatedly—and pointedly—while dressing its most recognizable nameplates in flag-inspired graphics, curated color palettes, and premium hardware. The collection also carries a philanthropic angle: for every Stars & Steel vehicle sold, Chevrolet will donate $250 to organizations supporting veterans and military families.
Five Vehicles, One Theme, Very Different Personalities
The Stars & Steel Collection stretches across five models for 2026: Corvette, Silverado EV, Silverado 1500, Silverado HD, and Colorado. That breadth matters. This isn’t a one-off show car or a decal package slapped on a single trim. It’s a coordinated effort that touches Chevy’s entire identity—from performance icon to blue-collar backbone.
Chevrolet will publicly debut the collection at the 2025 Army–Navy Game, a fitting venue given the military tie-ins and charitable commitments. And for those who prefer their patriotism with a side of spectacle, a one-of-one Corvette ZR1X Stars & Steel will cross the block at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction in January 2026, with 100 percent of proceeds going to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Corvette: Limited, Loud, and Loaded
The headline act is the Corvette Stars & Steel Limited Edition, capped at exactly 250 units—one for each year of American independence. Unlike the truck variants, this is a true limited production run, available across the Corvette range from Stingray to the ferocious ZR1X, in coupe or convertible form, but only in top-tier 3LT and 3LZ trims.
Buyers choose between Arctic White with Santorini Blue or Black with Adrenaline Red, both combinations designed to lean into the theme without drifting into costume territory. Full-length satin stripes, “250” flag graphics, and subtle red accents inside and out set the tone. Unique sill plates and an interior plaque mark each car’s build sequence, while wheel options range from gloss black to exposed carbon fiber, depending on model.
It’s patriotic, yes—but also unmistakably premium. This isn’t about nostalgia alone; it’s about reminding everyone that America still builds supercars that can run with the world’s best.
Silverado EV: Electric Muscle, American Accent
The Silverado EV Stars & Steel Special Edition proves that Chevrolet’s idea of patriotism isn’t stuck in the past. Based on the RST Crew Cab, the electric Silverado wears the Stars & Steel look in either Summit White or Black, paired with a Sky Cool Gray interior.
The standout here isn’t just the graphics or the massive 24-inch high-gloss black wheels, but the hardware. Chevy fits an all-new Brembo heavy-duty brake system with red six-piston front calipers and larger 15.7-inch rotors—serious stopping power for a truck that weighs as much as it does and moves as quickly as it can.
It’s a reminder that electrification doesn’t have to dilute identity. In this case, it amplifies it.
Silverado 1500 and HD: Work Boots with Dress Uniforms
For traditionalists, the internal-combustion Silverado 1500 Stars & Steel delivers exactly what you’d expect: a 6.2-liter V-8, four-wheel drive, and a long list of performance and appearance upgrades. Available on the RST Crew Cab Short Box, it adds Brembo brakes, black exhaust tips, performance intake, blacked-out badging, and a full suite of convenience and protection packages. It’s equal parts show truck and tow rig.
Step up to the Silverado HD Stars & Steel, and the tone shifts from aggressive to authoritative. Built on an LTZ Crew Cab Trail Boss with the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel, this version piles on off-road gear, trailering tech, luxury packages, and high-gloss black wheels. It looks ready to pull a fifth-wheel across three states—and then park front and center when it gets there.
Colorado: Compact, Capable, and Themed to the Hilt
Rounding out the lineup is the Colorado Stars & Steel Special Edition, based on the Trail Boss Crew Cab with four-wheel drive. It’s smaller than the Silverados but no less intentional, stacking nearly every desirable option into one package: skid plates, technology and convenience packages, black wheels, red tow hooks, rocker protection, and a midnight-themed exterior complete with sport bar and light bar.
For buyers who want the look without committing to a full special edition, Chevrolet will also offer Stars & Steel appearance packages across the truck lineup, delivering the same striping and “250” graphics with more flexibility.
More Than a Paint Job
It would be easy to dismiss Stars & Steel as a graphics exercise, but the execution suggests otherwise. Chevrolet has tied the visuals to meaningful equipment upgrades, limited production where it counts, and real financial support for veteran-focused charities.
In true Car and Driver fashion, we’ll say this: subtlety isn’t the point. The Stars & Steel Collection is bold by design. And in an era when automakers often struggle to define what they stand for, Chevrolet is making its position unmistakably clear—loud, proud, and built at home.
