Chevrolet Spark Overview

Spark Introduction and Launch History:

The Chevrolet Spark is a small budget, economy car. In India it was launched by General Motors, in April 2007. Most of the Chevrolet Spark’s character and appearance resembles the cancelled Daewoo Matiz and as such many people call it the 21 st century Matiz.

The Chevrolet Spark has become one of the popular models amongst small cars in India today. The Spark comes with the latest technologies and has a lot of advantages – though many Indian buyers have the fear of resale value, which prevents them from buying the Chevy Spark car.

Here is a look at the various features of the Chevrolet Spark cars:

Chevy Spark Exterior

The Chevrolet Spark’s exterior looks small though the interior is eventually spacious and comfortable. The Spark 1.0 and 1.0PS have hub caps and other two top models, Spark 1.0 LS and 1.0 LT, come with full wheel covers and body colored bumper. All the models have tinted glasses.

The Chevrolet Spark top variant 1.0LT has more options like body color, tail gate handle, body colored ORVMs, body color door handles, rear spoiler, satin silver roof rails, front fog lamp, mudguards, front windshield top band, body side molding with spark branding and alloy wheels.

At the very first sight, one would find the Spark is quite attractive. The round tail lights and its front headlights are unique and eye-catching. The raising shoulder line makes the car a head-turner. On the whole, it has a very cute and attractive exterior.

Chevy Spark Interior

Chevy Spark’s interior is also equally attractive, similar to its exteriors. Even though it’s small in size, the car proves that the exterior belies its interior. All Chevrolet Spark versions interior have upholstery made of fabric and in top two variants (Chevrolet Spark LS and LT), fabric is inserted on door trims.

The roofline is high in Spark which gives spacious headroom. Exit and entrance are pretty easy and more comfortable in Spark when compared to other conventional cars. The rear seats are foldable so that the passengers can keep long objects with more space in the back.

Spark has a unique interior design with advanced controls. Its central cockpit control system has a mixture of digital and analogue displays and its speedometer; instruments are visible to all the passengers.

Chevrolet Spark - Variants and Pricing

Currently there are a total of seven variants Chevrolet Spark cars available in Indian market. The basic model of Chevrolet Spark comes without any special features and it lacks power steering, power window and air-conditioner.

Basic model of the Spark is priced at about 3.1 lakhs. The six other variants of Chevrolet Spark and their prices are respectively Spark 1.0PS at 3.2 lakhs, Spark 1.0LS at 3.39 lakhs, Spark 1.0 PS LPG at 3.44, Spark 1.0LS LPG at 3.61 lakhs, Spark 1.0LT at 3.69 lakhs and finally the Spark top variant with optional pack with Airbag which costs 4.14 lakhs.

These are ex-showroom Chevrolet Spark prices at Delhi. For the specific price in specific area please do use the price quote feature.

All versions of Chevrolet Spark come with a 995cc engine, manual transmission and five seats capacity.

Spark Used Car Market

Though the engine is good in Chevy Spark, doubts have been raised on the car’s resale value, which is one of the main drawbacks of this car in the used car market. However, as Chevrolet’s service network improves and as people get to know the Chevrolet cars better, the doubts are reducing.

On-road performance of Chevrolet Spark

On of the main advantages of the car, is that the Chevrolet Spark is very compact so that it is easy to park in tight spaces. Moreover, the Spark has a developed torsion beam rear axle that delivers better handling and wheel control. Spark has an optimized front axle with McPherson struts and softer suspension mountings that give comfort and convenient drive. Thus, it is an easy and comfortable car to drive.

Chevrolet Spark Specifications

Coming to engine and transmission, the Spark LPG versions have four cylinders with 8V SOHC MPFI and a power of 60 PS, 88.4 NM torque @ 4200 RPM.

The Spark petrol versions also have four cylinders and a 1.0 liter capacity. The Chevrolet Spark petrol delivers a power of 63PS @ 5400 ROM and torque of 90.3 NM @ 4200 NM. Spark petrol versions have sequential electronic fuel injection system and they have a five speed manual transmission.

Chevrolet Spark engine performance

The Spark has an advanced S-Tec engine that helps to increase the torque and power even at less speed and it also delivers a pleasant drive even in congested heavy traffic or in open highways.

The Spark’s S-Tec engine consists of latest innovations like DDLI, Sequential MTIS and Advanced Optical Sensor. These latest technologies deliver a smooth and noiseless drive. S-Tec engine is more powerful, easy to maintain, fuel efficient and very reliable.

Within the city, Spark mileage stands at 12km per liter and in outskirts and highway it delivers 16 to 18km per liter.

Chevrolet Spark’s front brake is disc based and the rear brake is a self-adjusting drum in both petrol and LPG versions. The Chevy Spark’s front and rear shock absorbers are filled with gas that delivers a comfortable and refined ride.

Chevrolet Spark wheels are 13x4.5J made up of steel and they have tubeless tyres 155/70 R13.

Safety and Security in Chevrolet Spark

All the Spark variants have rear door child locks and they all have 2.5 MPH front and rear bumpers, door a jar warning display, center high mount stop lamp. Only top model Spark 1.0LT has central locking, and ABS and driver side airbags are optional in top model.

The body shell of Spark is made up of high-strengthened steel (51% of total weight). Tailor-welded blanks (usually seen only in high segment vehicles) are used in Spark to protect sides.

The new Chevrolet Spark does not compromise on safety. Top variant Spark even has the option to add on dual Airbags inside that assures safety.

Add-on ABS ensures a smooth stop even under a hard-break. However, again Airbags and ABS are only available in the optional pack of the top variant of Spark (LT).

Chevrolet Spark’s Comfort and Convenience

When coming to comfort and convenience in Spark, all the variants have IP Storage on the sides of driver and co-driver, and they can internally adjust OSRVMs.

Apart from that, cup holders in front console, holders for bottles in front doors, rear view mirror for day and night, remote fuel filler release, remote tail gate release, front room lamp, AC, digital clock, tachometer, heater, seat back shopping hooks, temperature gauge, low fuel warning lamp, passenger side sun visor with vanity mirror, battery voltage indicator, power steering (except basic model) are included in all the Spark variants.

Top variant 1.0 LT ‘s outstanding features are, that it has rear power windows, 60:40 split double folding rear seat, rear defogger, rear washer and wiper, co-driver sear side and back pockets.

Chevrolet Spark Colors

The Chevrolet Spark comes in seven attractive colors. The colors are – topaz, Olympic white, misty lake metallic, and sand rift grey, caviar black, blazing red and linen beige.

Chevrolet Spark Size and Dimensions

All petrol models of Chevrolet Spark have the same dimension. The petrol versions have 2345mm wheel base and their turning circle radius is 4.6m, overall length is 3495mm, overall width is 1495mm, overall height is 1518mm and their kerb weight is 840kgs. Spark LPG versions also have the same dimension but their weight alone varies as they come with 885kgs weight.

Chevrolet Spark Dealers

The famous Chevrolet dealers in India are - MPL Automobiles, Sundaram Motors, Aras Motors, Triive Cars, Autovikas Sales, Regent Automobiles, Shiva Motors, Triumph Motors, Bharathi Automobiles, Ashthavinayak Auto, 4 Wheel World, KBJ Motors, National Garage, Nikil Automobiles, UDTI Motors and many more.

Chevrolet Company Quotes on Spark

Karl Slym, the managing director and the President of General Motors says, "We plan to continue to introduce the variance of the Spark that targets different groups of customers. This will enable us to achieve our goal of becoming a market leader in India by giving our customers the vehicles that they want, when they want them,"

"We have not been represented in the small car market in India and we want to increase our presence in this segment, which is the fastest growing segment in the country." said by General Motor Corp Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner, commenting on the Chevrolet Spark.

"It sets a new standard for its segment through its modern design, clever space utilization, affordability and solid engineering." said GM India President and Managing Director Rajeev Chaba on the Spark’s launch.

Chevy Competitor Analysis

The Chevrolet Spark is essentially, a small low priced car. As such is competes with a number of cars, summarized as the Hyundai Getz, Santro, Maruti Alto, Maruti Swift, Wagon R and Zen Estilo. Spark stands out from its competitors by its very competitive price tag while maintaining an image of quality and strength.

Chevy Spark Fuel Efficiency and Mileage

The Chevrolet Spark delivers an average mileage of 18.3 kilometer per liter (ARAI certified) which is definitely impressive. Using LPG variants allows users to save even more monies.

Chevrolet Spark LPG version

An interesting fact is that the Chevrolet Spark is available in an LPG version from the General Motors Company. The LPG engine comes with next generation sequential injection type kit. This latest innovation, high-technology engine delivers a great peppy drive and ensures a high mileage.

Chevy Spark Pros:

The advantages of Chevrolet Spark are:

Chevy Spark Cons

The cons about the Spark are:

Conclusion:

All in all, the Chevrolet Spark is neither too good nor too bad. It is an average car that comes packaged with latest innovations. But for its price, and its size, anyone looking for a small car, should consider the Chevrolet Spark.