Spied: 2012 Chevrolet Aveo SUV

Get ready for a baby SUV boom! Aiming to match the popularity of the Nissan Juke, a host of B-segment SUV's are on the way. These include a 4x4 Fiesta, the Audi Q3 and a Peugeot crossover based on the HR1 concept, to mention but a few. And Chevrolet is looking to get in on the act too, as these exclusive spy shots prove.

Peel away the camouflage and this is an all-new SUV based on the Aveo supermini - the latest addition to a rapidly expanding range that gets the Orlando, Captiva, Aveo, Camaro and Cruize hatchback in 2011 alone.

Little can be gathered about the exterior styling from these shots, although the Agile Cross Sport concept, which debuted at the Sao Paulo Motor Show late last year (shown here), gives us a clue to how the production version will look.

We had the chance to tour GM's R&D facility in South Korea recently and were actually treated to a sneak preview of this car - proving it's deep into development. We learnt that it will be based on a stretched version of the Aveo's platform and will come with front-wheel drive as standard, although an all-wheel drive version will also be offered.

Inside the cabin uses switchgear borrowed from the Astra and Insignia, giving a more premium feel. And you can clearly see a gear knob and steering wheel taken from those Vauxhall models in the interior picture. A brand new digital interface, that allows quick pairing of smart phones is also expected to debut.

Vauxhall's involvement doesn't end there either - it will introduce a rebadged version, dubbed the Corsa SUV, after Chevrolet's compact SUV reaches showrooms next year. Look closely and in the rear shot you can see a jacked-up white Corsa with extended wheel arches driving in front of the Chevrolet - a mule of this car. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express