LONDON — The all-new 2011 Chevrolet Spark has begun reaching European dealers. It's priced from around $10,900, including local taxes. This figure includes standard air-conditioning and power accessories.
At the car's European media launch, General Motors confirmed that versions of the Spark also will be built in the U.S. and India. The Spark was launched in India in January as the Chevrolet Beat, priced from $7,200. The five-door hatchback initially went on sale last fall in Korea.
When the Chevy Spark arrives in North America, most likely as a 2012 model, it will be the smallest Chevrolet in the brand's U.S. portfolio. The five-passenger Spark measures only 143 inches long, nearly a foot shorter than the Chevrolet Aveo hatchback.
It's built on GM's global minicar architecture and aimed primarily at city dwellers. GM says the Spark will be sold in more than 100 markets around the world by 2013.
In Europe, the Chevrolet Spark is available with two gasoline engines: a 67-horsepower 1.0-liter unit and an 80-hp 1.2-liter unit. Both engines are rated at 46 mpg on the combined European driving cycle and emit 119 g/km of CO2. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard.
Inside Line says: Not quite as small as a Smart, the 2012 Chevrolet Spark should be an interesting alternative for frugal shoppers and first-time buyers when it arrives in the States. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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inkoreanow says:
07:04 AM, 02/19/2011
Well TyRoss: The car was made in Korea. It's a Daewoo. I actually have the car here as I'm married to a Korean and teach here. It's awesome. Gas is $6.43 a gallon here and this car has plenty of power to move 5 people and is surprisingly roomy. I'm 6 for 3 and 245. I fit in this car easily and comfortably. At 43 miles to the gallon it's sweet to the wallet, and so is the sticker price. I got 5 speed auto, stereo/CD/USB, power locks and windows, airconditioning, tinted windows, 15 inch alloy wheels, fog lights, heated front seats, 1.2l 15 valve engine, reverse backup proximity sensor, luggage rack, special high gloss paint job, and GPS all for the equivalent of $10,100 (11,400,000KRW). While I prefer the Daewoo symbol, Chevy has insisted on it's bowtie instead. To me that's the only ugly thing I agree with you about. All around this little car is a steal. It's quick, responsive, and fuel efficient. I love it more every day. Can't wait to bring it back to the USA.
tyross says:
10:42 AM, 03/21/2010
Chevrolet needs to stop OVER DESIGNING ! One swoop goes a long way! This car is a mess! Take a lesson from Korea and Germany ! Also PLEASE lose the bowtie ! It is an ugly logo that is just, WHY ? There must be another symbol from the archaives to rework!
camaro84 says:
08:35 AM, 02/18/2010
That is a painfully looking car. Couple things:
1. I don't want to get in an accident in that car
2. No young first-time buyer is gonna buy this thing and go clubbing in it!
3. Can you imagine being 21 year old guy trying to pickup a girl in this! WOW...
juan_mx says:
01:35 PM, 02/16/2010
Chevrolet is betting to small displacement turbo engines, but not small size cars for the US. Look at the Chevy Cruze, is larger than the competition (Civic, Corolla, etc)
I seriously doubt they will sell this car in the US.
Well.... if the gas prices hit the $6 a gallon mark.....maybe, but not even at $4 a gallon.
(for Mexico it may be Ok, even for Canada, but not for the US)
cmike2780 says:
12:48 PM, 02/16/2010
Did this come out of Optimus Prime's a$$? What an ugly car. It looks like someone was trying to put a car together. Then realized they didn't have all the pieces, but build the thing anyway with what they had left over. The Ford Fiesta/Mazda 2 look much sharper.
delraylocal says:
10:53 AM, 02/16/2010
Nobody would be caught dead in this thing in the U.S.
Colorado 1974 was right, what an ugly little wiener car.
I am not saying that a small "green" car won't work in the U.S., but it has to look good,be cool,and seem more expensive than it really is.
This thing looks like they gave someone a hit of acid and a tin can and said go create something!
maxhonda99 says:
07:25 AM, 02/14/2010
It's much cheaper in India for a few reasons:
1) It is more decontented there. less safety equipment, less convenience features., etc.
2) Labor costs here will increase costs
3) I'm sure our wonderful lawyer's will drive up costs by a few grand by adding stupid bells & whistles to keep people from using common sense!
jepontiac says:
04:31 AM, 02/14/2010
Its not bad looking. It is certainly better than some other stuff out there. Here is what I don't like about it.
1. Bug eye lights. They are just too darn big, and take away from the front of the car.
2. Overly tall wheel arches. I know small wheels are for function, but putting them inside those huge arches makes them look even smaller.
This is another example, like the Aztek, where GM got overwhelming response on a concept (Beat), and tried too hard to make it work on a production vehicle. Its odd because GM has done a good job recently not doing that. I might be biased though since I didn't vote for the Beat concept.
05stangdriver says:
02:19 PM, 02/13/2010
Oh, I don't think it's ugly at all, certainly not as bad as the Aztek! That's my opinion, of course, but I tend to go for the more futuristically styled cars coming out lately anyway, such as the Nissan Jazz, the new Chevy Aveo RS concept (cool lookin' car!), the Fords Fiesta and 2012 Focus, etc.
I will say that the much smaller wheels on the production version vs. the concept do make this car look a little bit rinky-dink. But that just means that this is firmly aimed at the city-car market, which is fine. I'll wait to see what the new Aveo looks like for real (hoping it's a lot like the concept RS mentioned above), or one of the others to see what I'll be driving in 2013.
tomtom55 says:
12:55 PM, 02/13/2010
Man, that is road kill ugly. Right up there with the Aztek. Compared to the Aveo this one must be the ugly step-sister. Ouch.