DETROIT – General Motors has provided updates on its new 2012-MY Chevrolet Sonic recently, but the most recent news gives fuel-economy numbers for this new subcompact. The Sonic will get 40 mpg on highway and 29 mpg city. In terms of performance, the 1.4L turbo Sonic can reach 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, according to the automaker.

The Sonic’s 1.8L engine with manual transmission gets 26 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. The automatic gets 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.

The 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged engine is SAE-certified at 138 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque between 2,500 and 4,900 rpm. Chevrolet said it’s the same engine used in the Cruze, just in a smaller package.

The 1.4L’s turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold, which reduces engine weight. A reinforced crankshaft and stronger connecting rods deliver additional strength to support the engine’s pressurized power and torque over a wide rpm band, Chevrolet said.

Other engine features include the following:

• Low-mass hollow-frame cast iron block

• Dual overhead camshafts with continuously variable valve timing (CVVT)

• Chain-driven cams

• Roller-finger camshaft followers

• Piston-cooling oil jets and integrated oil cooler

• Variable-flow oil pump

• Electronically controlled thermostat

The suggested retail price of the Sonic begins at $14,495 including destination but excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees.