NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: GM upgrades Barina

Chevrolet has announced a facelifted 2017 Sonic line-up for North America ahead of its world debut at this week's New York motor show, likely previewing a similarly updated Holden Barina for Australia.

Holden has just released a new-generation Spark micro-car Down Under and we expect the facelifted version of the larger Barina light-car, which also comes to Australia from South Korea, will arrive here late this year or early next.

Although no interior shots have yet been released, the mid-life makeover for GM's global B-segment model brings more technology – including a 7.0-inch colour touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring.

Dubbed MyLink, the same multimedia platform is fitted to Holden's new Spark and will be standard across the range in the US, where it will be available with Wi-Fi hotspot functionality and 4G LTE connectivity.

Other new features to be at least available in the US will include a reversing camera, lane departure warning, forward collision alert, 10 airbags and parking sensors, plus keyless entry and starting, heated cloth-trimmed seats, a powered driver’s seat and heated steering wheel.

Outside, as you can see from these images of the Sonic RS hatch and Sonic Turbo Premier sedan, the small Chevy scores a fresh front-end design that GM describes as sportier and more expressive.

Instead of the current car’s four circular headlights, there's a pair of rectangular units with LED driving lights, either side of a new-look Chevrolet grille.

New rear bumpers and squarer tail-lights with horizontal graphics complete the exterior makeover, alongside revised side sills, new 15-, 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels and four new paint colours: Orange Burst Metallic, Brimstone, Cajun Red Tintcoat and Arctic Blue Metallic.

The 2017 Sonic goes on sale in the US in the third quarter of this year, powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol base engine and a 102kW 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four for sports versions, both matched with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

Priced from $15,390, Australia's current Barina comes with 1.6-litre petrol engines, with the 1.4 turbo four reserved for the Barina RS hatch – the only five-door model offered in the US.