Chevrolet Spark spotted as Daewoo Matiz

The 2010 Chevrolet Spark was finally unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show after General Motors reneged on a promise to show it at the North American International Auto Show two months earlier. These are the first pictures of the car out in the open. While the badges say Daewoo Matiz, the car is definitely the next Spark.

GM still uses the Daewoo Matiz name in some markets like India and South Korea but the world at large knows it as the Spark. Inspired by the Beat Concept car of 2007 the production Spark is a milder version but has kept most styling similarities intact. The rear for instance is very much Beat but has been watered down. The brake lights are in the same cluster as the indicator lights.

The interior bears a lot of resemblance with the concept in places like the steering wheel and the instrument constellate which is attached to the wheel. That says the steering wheel column could be adjustable.

It is to be powered by a 1.0-litre engine with 66hp (49kW) and a 1.2-litre petrol with 78hp (57kw). The fitted transmission is a 5-speed manual which helps to get the car from 0 - 100km/h in a leisurely 12.4 seconds.