Be the first to get this season’s must-have accessory. The Chevy Sonic hatchback in Inferno Orange has the style along with the vibrant color that will complement all roads for years to come.

Recognizing orange’s widespread appeal and prominence, Pantone named PANTONE® 17-1463 Tangerine Tango the Color of the Year for 2012.

Inferno Orange is the second-most requested color for Chevy Sonic hatchbacks, accounting for nearly one in five dealer orders and signaling a new color trend in the subcompact market. It trails only the ever-popular black hatchback.

Orange, a staple of Corvettes and Camaros, is firmly ingrained in the performance vehicle market. “We had a strong feeling that Sonic’s Inferno Orange would hit the trend at the perfect time and hatchback drivers would embrace it,” said Michelle Killen, lead creative designer in the color and trim studio and exterior paint expert at General Motors Design.

According to Pantone, the global authority on color, Tangerine Tango is a spirited reddish orange that provides the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward. The Chevy Sonic, known for its sporty look and adventurous personality, fits right in with this crowd.

“Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.

Fashion designers like Tommy Hilfiger, Jimmy Choo, Ralph Lauren and J. Crew are incorporating this attractive orange into their collections. The cosmetic industry is also taking notice of Tangerine Tango, calling it a bit exotic, but in a very friendly, non-threatening way.

The Sonic in Inferno Orange will be an exciting drive for years to come. Chevy design experts predict orange will remain a color trend in the future, transitioning from the bright, chic tint of today to a more burnt, coppery finish.