Overview:
GM launched Chevrolet Spark in India as a come-back vehicle to the long forgotten Matiz. GM is trying to grab a 10 percent share of the rapidly growing automobile market in India by 2010. Chevrolet Spark will be produced at GM's Halol factory near Baroda.
The automaker will also consider exporting the Spark, which is a version of the Daewoo Matiz, to Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. India's small-car market makes up the lion's share of the country's market for passenger vehicles. The Spark has a more stylish and expensive look in comparison to its predecessor, so that it can compete in the small car segment in the country.
The Chevrolet Spark offers a host of features that combine with its handsome, sturdy, and solid good looks to give it an edge in the market. This Hatchback has a new and improved body design and all the space that you would want for your family.
The proposed compact car would compete in the same segment as that which is currently dominated by the Maruti Alto, Zen, Wagon R, Swift, Hyundai Santro, and Tata Indica.
Spark could very well be the next BIG story in the automobile industry as it tries to capture Indian hearts and Indian roads with its roguishly striking design and its easy-to-maneuver compact styling. Spark also brings with it the variety of color, so that your car remains different and one among the few.
Powertrain and Performance:
The Chevrolet Spark comes in 6 variants: 1.0, 1.0PS, 1.0LS, 1.0LT, 1.0PS LPG and 1.0LS LPG all with 4 cylinders 1 litre (995 cc) engines. All variants generate a power of 63 bhp at 5400 rpm and a torque of 90.3 Nm at 4200 rpm. This makes the Spark a definite improvement on the Matiz in with much more engine power and acceleration. All the engines have a 5-speed manual transmission.
The city-drivability of Spark is extremely comfortable due to its compact size, agility, and easy handling. It has a 4.6 wall-to-wall turning radius that may cause a problem during sharp turns, but its compact size will allow you to park in constrained spaces. The front McPherson struts suspension and the rear torsion beam axle suspension provide you with a smooth ride even on bumpy Indian roads. The Spark has a top speed of 155-157 kph and due to its heavy weight the car is steady even at high speeds. It can accelerate from 0-100 kph in 16 seconds.
It comes with a Siemens EMS to monitor emissions, which allows it to burn fuel more efficiently.
Build and Styling:
The Spark measures 3495 mm in length, 1495 mm in width, and 1518 mm in height. It has a kerb weight of 850 Kg that ensures it steadiness during turns. It has a 2345 mm wheelbase. The headroom and legroom are spacious enough for four people to sit comfortably in.
The interior of the car is designed with the word "different" in mind. The instrument pod is placed in the center of the dashboard, above the console. This gives the entire interior of the car a new look. Through the steering wheel is placed a digital pod that comprises of all the warning signs. This innovative design is a true novelty of sorts even though it might be a tad impractical. The interior is designed as an attempt at having all the small luxuries that people usually only find in luxury cars. There are hooks to hang shopping bags, bottle and card holders, a sunglass case, and drawers under the front seats.
Spark has been designed to possess a rear suspension that along with a comfortable ride also gives you the option of a large boot space of 170 liters, which you can increase to 845 liters if you fold the rear seats. The boot provides a low loading platform and is protected by the boot lining from the upper part of the rear bumper.
In the event of a side impact, the car's central pillar protects the occupants making it safe for all passengers.
Spark's exterior has a very soft yet bold look. It has very smooth and prominent etches that define its hood in a blunt shaped V that makes the car look like it is smiling. The poached-egg-shaped headlights are prominently placed on either side of this hood. The front bumper and grill present a look of solidarity. The symbol of Chevrolet is centralized in the front of the hood.
Highlighted wheel arches and structured sides of the car divide it prominently, giving it a futuristic and streamlined appearance. The round rear lamp is distinctive and completes this car's overall attractive and purposeful looks.
Spark's top variant comes with power steering and remote adjustable rear view mirrors for the driver, and also electronically adjustable rear view mirrors for the co-driver. Some other features that you have the option to choose from are height-adjustable seats for driver, ABS brakes, airbags, child seat tether anchorage provisions, and alloy wheels.
