Tag team: Chevrolet's future sportscars

We already gave you a little glimpse into a pair of Chevrolet’s future affordable sportscars last week, but they’re worthy of more than just a glimpse. The Gold Bowtie hasn’t had a decent sportscar for the masses in its portfolio since… well, we truly can’t remember, which means these two, the Code 130R and Tru 140S, have been a long time coming. Introduced in Detroit earlier this month, the two coupés are aimed at the next generation of car buyers; you know, the ones that are growing up on a steady dose of GT5, Need for Speed and The Fast and the Furious. In fact, Chevrolet actually consulted youngsters across the US and based the two concepts on their feedback. That’s why they look like they do, and that’s why they pack what they pack. More specifically, the 130R is a rear-wheel drive sportscar, while the 140S sits on a front-wheel drive platform — there’s something for everyone. While the drivetrain differs substantially — 140S, for example, is based on the same platform as the Chevrolet Cruze and the Volt electric vehicle — both cars share the same powerplant. With a 1.4-litre Ecotec turbocharged engine providing the wheels with around 150 horsepower, the cars will return about six litres-per-100km while retailing for just over $20,000 (around Dh75K). That will position the rear-driving 130R to put a dent in the sales of the upcoming Toyota GT 86, despite a power deficit. Being targeted at tech-savvy youths, both concepts also pack interior connectivity and convenience features like WiFi, smart phone integration with Chevrolet MyLink and head-up display. Sure, it’s been a long wait, but it seems to have been worth it.