GM has announced they will finally release the Chevrolet Spark at the Geneva Motor Show later this week. Forgive us for saying this, but we'll believe it when we see it. As you may recall, GM previously said the minicar would be unveiled at the NAIAS, even teasing it a day before its scheduled release on a U.S. national television program.
Then, for some unknown reason, the car was mysteriously pulled from the Detroit show. In its place, they wheeled out the years old Chevy Beat concept first shown in New York during the 2007 show there.
Maybe that is why GM has released a full slate of pictures, and details, on the four-door minicar a day before its release. Early information about the car got a bunch of people excited two months ago. Unfortunately for Chevy, after seeing the interior photos, that excitement definitely faded.
Pictures of the car's interior show a few interesting details, but not enough to compensate for what looks to be the same stale and watered down appearance so commonly done on Chevy cars. The interior side door panels look dull, the vents seem poor, and the glove box appears to be flimsy. The center console is touched up with some nicely colored backlighting, and the "motorcycle-inspired instrument pod" almost looks cool ... but it still misses the mark.
And what's with the color stripes on the seats?
For a car that is as long as a 1st gen BMW MINI, we really wish this car had more power. The customer will get to choose between two aluminum engines, including a 66 hp 1.0-liter petrol and a 78 hp 1.2 liter petrol. These will be mounted to a five-speed manual transmission.Unfortunately, torque figures are absent, as are numbers related to the car's curb weight. What we do know is that the car has a 0-100 km/h time of 12.4 seconds, which GM calls "brisk".
The good news is that this is a relatively clean engine, producing less than 120 g CO2 per kilometer. This keeps the car's emissions in line with the last-gen Chevy/Daewoo Spark/Matiz, while giving a small power boost. The emissions rating also means lower tax costs, and getting around some inner-city congestion charges. It would have been nice for Chevy to introduce this car with a clean turbodiesel option as well.
Dual front airbags, as well as side and curtain airbags, come standard. The Spark also comes with three, three-point belts in the rear, although it may be tough squeezing three people in. Heated front seats are standard, with a height-adjustable seat for the driver. Side mirrors and front windows are powered.
From the outside, the car does look a bit more interesting than many other minicars. You wouldn't know it from a quick glance, but this car is actually a five-door. Chevy engineers smartly hid the rear-door handles to preserve clean lines on the car. 13-inch wheels come standard, which seems a bit small. 14- and 15-inch wheels will also be available.
The almost diamond-shaped headlights seems to extend from the bumper all the way to the windshield. Although it has a somewhat squashed front end, where the fog lights are lowered and the grille is rounded out, the styling is not that much different from the Chevy Beat concept.
And that is a good thing. After all, it was the car's looks that garnered tens of thousands of votes in an online poll to help GM determine Chevrolet's direction. One must be reminded that despite this car's failings, it still has the potential to deliver to its target audience. If Chevy guesses correctly on this car's pricing, they may have a popular entry-level vehicle for a new generation of drivers. Chevrolet thinks they have guessed right, but we'll know for sure when the new 2010 Chevy Spark is unveiled in Geneva.
Unless GM pulls out again.
- Edgy styling adds brio to mini-car segment
- Youthful interior look with unique motorcycle-inspired instrument pod
- Class-leading front and rear passenger room
- Frugal 1.0/1.2-liter engines deliver sub-120 g CO2 emissions
The all-new Chevrolet Spark, making its world premiere at Geneva, is a small car designed to make a big statement. It's big on style, big on fuel economy and, like all products carrying the gold bowtie, big on value.
Distinctive, edgy styling conveys energy and spirit because this is a mini-car that's as fun to drive as it is economical to own.
With punchy 1.0 and 1.2-liter four-cylinder gasoline engines and a five-door hatchback body format offering surprising versatility, the Chevy Spark is set to light up Europe's mini-car segment.
Due on sale early next year, it is a production-ready version of the Beat concept car, the most popular of a trio of Chevy mini concepts that toured international motor shows in 2007. A clear majority among 1.9 million internet voters said it was the car they preferred.
"Spark will bring a fresh dimension to Europe's growing mini-car segment," says Wayne Brannon, GM Europe Vice President, Chevrolet. "It offers fuel efficiency, functionality and eye-catching design combined with excellent value."
Size matters
For 'cute and cuddly', read 'strong and sharp' – that's the message behind Spark's head-turning looks. Its edgy styling breaks the usual mold for city car design by making no soft, visual concessions about lack of size. Spark continues Chevrolet's design revolution by bringing exciting looks to products in the value segment.
The crisp lines of the mono-cab body express a wedge-like profile, with the deep glasshouse balanced by prominent side body scallops, sculptured fenders and slim, teardrop headlamp units. The 'active' contours of the bodywork are free from rubbing strips or exterior trim.
At the front, the bold twin-port grille leads up to a hood that's heavily sculpted above the headlamps. Below the grille, the lines of the fog lamp housings and the 'floating' lower air intake extend the sense of forward movement. Muscular rear wheel-arches, well filled with a choice of 13, 14 or 15-inch wheels, give the car a crouched, ready-to-go stance.
Rear door handles, disguised to preserve the clean look of those wheel-aches, an integrated rear tailgate spoiler and signature Chevy tail lights with round elements are other design details that add to Spark's 'must-have' appeal.
Purposeful and poised, the Chevy Spark is a city car with 'attitude', small yet proud of its size.
Inspired cabin
The progressive design of Spark's surprisingly spacious cabin has the flair to match its exterior looks. The use of quality materials and an uplevel execution were key interior design requirements, demonstrating that small cars offering big value need not look utilitarian or spartan inside.
Bright and engaging, the interior features an evolution of Chevrolet's signature 'dual cockpit' design. The textured front fascia moldings flow each side of the cabin into the doors, creating a feeling of space that belies Spark's diminutive size.
Exterior bodywork colors are carried through into the lower fascia and door panels. And the main controls are all highlighted in signature Chevy ice-blue, adding to the cabin's youthful looks.
A unique, motorcycle-inspired main instrument pod, incorporating a large speedometer and digital tachometer display, is another striking design feature.
The audio, heating, ventilation and navigation displays are all neatly presented in an integrated center stack. A small floor console includes twin cup-holders, ample storage cubbyholes and a gearshift molding finished in aluminum to match the spokes of the steering wheel.
Spark packs a generous 2,375 mm wheelbase into its 3,640 mm long body, which helps to deliver a cabin with class-leading passenger leg and hip room, front and rear. The seats are upholstered in a range of bright, contrasting fabrics, with top-of-line variants even including uplevel French seam stitching.
Despite its minimal rear overhang for ease of parking, Spark offers an above average 170-liter trunk volume, easily increased to 994 liters by lowering the 60/40 split-fold rear seat-back. All four door pockets are large enough to provide useful onboard storage for oddments. Spark's versatility can be taken a step further by specifying roof rails, a rare option in the segment.
The extensive equipment roster includes: a height-adjustable driver's seat, tilting steering wheel, electrically-powered front windows, heated front seats, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, electrically-powered and heated door mirrors, a trip computer and 'anti-freeze' windshield wipers.
On the move
Newly-developed, all-aluminum 1.0 and 1.2-liter gasoline engines, generating 66 hp/49 kW and 78 hp/58 kW respectively, are expected to offer combined cycle fuel economy of below 5.0L/100 km, together with CO2 emissions of less than 120 g.
These efficient, Euro 5 compliant, 16-valve motors are mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The 1.2-liter engine is expected to deliver zero to 100 km/h acceleration in a brisk 12.4 seconds.
Apart from fewer visits to the filling station, Spark also delivers a level of running refinement and NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) typical of a larger car. A three-level noise suppression program focused on effective insulation in the floor, the front bulkhead and inner body panels. The chassis is based on McPherson strut front suspension, with a space-saving torsion beam set-up at the rear. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) will be offered as an option.
Standard safety equipment includes driver, front passenger, side and curtain airbags. The front seatbelts are equipped with pre-tensioners and there are three, three-point belts for rear passengers. Spark is expected to achieve a high EuroNCAP crash test rating.
Brand carrier
In the last three years, annual mini-car sales in Europe have grown from under one million to almost 1.4 million units and Spark, backed by the high value promise of the gold bowtie, is expected to substantially increase Chevrolet's penetration of the segment, particularly in western European markets.
While re-energizing Chevrolet's mini-car offer, Spark is the next step in a new product development program led by the Cruze compact sedan, being launched this spring. Both cars feature a new, more expressive design language for the brand. They will also be joined next year by an all-new compact MPV, based on the Orlando concept car first shown last year.
Chevrolet continues to be Europe's fastest-growing mainstream automotive brand. Despite challenging market conditions in the second half of 2008, Chevrolet increased its annual sales volume by almost 11 percent, selling more than 500,000 cars in Europe for the first time. The launches of Spark, Cruze and Orlando will add momentum to this unfolding success story.
