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Contents
- OVERVIEW: The New Chevrolet Spark – What is it?
- DESIGN: Bold, lively and fresh – Chevrolet Spark has urban appeal
- MARKET AND BRAND: The all new Chevrolet Spark – what is it?
- POWERTRAIN: New engines – clean, efficient and lively
- COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE: Chevrolet Spark – the small car that thinks big!
- DYNAMICS AND SAFETY: Chevrolet Spark – Small, but safe!
- INTERVIEW – WAYNE BRANNON: Executive Director, Chevrolet Europe
- THE MEN BEHIND THE CAR: Taewan Kim – Vice President of Design, GM DAT Chevrolet Spark
- THE CHEVROLET UK STORY: The story so far
The New Chevrolet Spark – What is it?
- Chevrolet’s new small car
- Redefines the mini car sector
- Great styling, quality and value
- Inexpensive to own and run
- Great fun to drive
- Built to serve global markets
Every so often, a car comes along that challenges conventional thinking. A car that offers much more than you’d expect for the money, redefines style, takes normal practice and turns it on its head.
The new Chevrolet Spark is one such vehicle. Built to serve the burgeoning mini car segment, the fastest growing area of the new car market across the entire world, it is a newcomer that has been designed to appeal to car buyers in every inhabited continent across the globe, from India to Africa, Australia to the USA.
But it’s in Europe where Spark will find its true identity. On sale in all major European markets, including the UK, from the first quarter of 2010, it exceeds all expectations of what a buyer might expect from a small car – be it as an urban motorist, or one who simply doesn’t need a larger car.
From the outset, Spark was engineered and designed to meet exacting standards. The bodyshell is exceptionally stiff, with no external panel gaps greater than 3mm, and the fit and finish of the interior is designed to match, if not beat that of cars in a class or two above.
Yet despite the quality, Spark is also designed to be edgy, vibrant and fresh, as well as to offer exceptional levels of space and practicality. There aren’t many cars with such a small footprint that can offer the benefits of five doors, five seats and a usable luggage area, for example.
“We’ve styled and engineered the Chevrolet Spark so that it can compete anywhere in the world where there’s a demand for mini cars and the benefits they bring,” said Jack Keaton, vehicle line executive for the new model. “The Spark is, first and foremost, a car that offers great economy and manoeuvrability, yet it is also quite sophisticated. We think it will turn heads with an aggressively stylish design and we think it’s going to make a lot of drivers happy with its dynamic ride and handling abilities.”
Keaton said that while the Spark is certainly affordable, it was not developed to be either the most or least expensive offering in its category.
“We developed the Spark with the idea that buyers would feel they got a lot of vehicle for their currency,” he said. “From a complete package perspective, we think the Spark will be among, if not the best five-door car in its segment. It offers high quality craftsmanship, is well-equipped with safety technologies and, most importantly, is fun to drive.”
Much of the Spark’s character comes from its styling.
“From the beginning, we wanted to have a revolution in size and design,” explained Taewan Kim, vice president of GM DAT Design. “We wanted to take a big step forward to deliver a completely new statement, especially in the design of the car.
“We wanted it to look ready to pounce, it needed to look great from 360 degrees and it needed to generate excitement.”
The exterior of the Spark features a ‘wheels-out; body in’ stance, its single arc roofline accentuated by strong, clean body sides free of cladding. The appearance is sleek; slightly aggressive, and unmistakably more upmarket than a number of mini car rivals, which tend to favour a more ‘cute’ approach.
This precision and attention to styling detail is not only reserved for the car’s exterior – unlike some models in the segment, where interior design is clearly functional, the Spark manages to add a youthful, vigorous appeal to the inside of the car that is equal to the look of the exterior.
While maintaining exemplary levels of craftsmanship, the Spark’s cabin is an iconic piece of design in itself. It maintains all of the class attributes – comfort, spaciousness and easy-to-use controls, yet delivers them in a style that is unique to the sector.
The focal point of the cabin is the motorcycle-style instrument ‘pod’, which sits on top of the steering column and delivers all of the essential information in a compact yet easy-to-read manner. The analogue speedometer is backed up by a digital tachometer, just like on a sports bike, backlit by upmarket ice blue lighting when the headlights are turned on. It’s truly unique to the sector, and clearly illustrates the Spark’s intention to put the fun back into function.
As well as its edgy styling, Spark also has advanced dynamics. It has taut, responsive handling characteristics, at the heart of which is a very stiff integral body frame structure, designed to aid the car’s dynamic performance and provide the driver with a heightened sense of stability, solidity and confident road command.
The suspension follows a traditional yet effective layout – MacPherson struts at the front and a compound crank (torsion beam) axle at the rear, a combination that allows for neutral, predictable handling characteristics. It is both nippy and nimble round town, yet surefooted at higher speeds.
Depending on market and trim level, Spark is also available with a system known as VSES, standing for Vehicle Stability Enhancement System. This provides outstanding safety and control benefits, with electronic brake and traction control capabilities to provide precise anti-lock braking capabilities, as well as exceptional yaw stability.
Of course, even the most able driver in the most dynamically competent car can sometimes find his or herself in a situation where a collision is inevitable, so with this in mind the Spark was designed with high levels of passive safety inbuilt from the outset, enough to earn it a creditable four-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.
Almost 60 per cent of the car’s structure consists of advanced steels, with varying levels of stiffness and built-in crush zones to absorb crash impacts. The front engine bay rails and subframe are designed to absorb energy while maintain the highest loads possible as they collapse, while a transition zone around the base of the A-pillars and front bulkhead effectively distributes crash energy around rather than into the passenger compartment.
A similar crush zone exists at the rear, with the fuel tank and its connections designed in a way to minimise the chance of ruptures. Additional rear impact loads are absorbed by a strong rear cross member, as GM’s internal rear crash measurement standards are greater than industry required standards.
High levels of occupant protection are further enhanced by twin front airbags, side curtain airbags and additional seat mounted thorax and abdomen airbags, seatbelt pretensioners and a pedal retraction system, which pulls the pedal box away from the car’s occupants in the event of a frontal collision, reducing the risk of lower leg injury.
Two engines are on offer at launch - both petrol units with displacements of 1.0 and 1.2-litres.
Both units are closely related and use a cast iron block and alloy head, with a double overhead camshaft and four valves per cylinder. They feature multi-port fuel injection and are both Euro V emissions compliant.
The two engines use advanced features such as port de-activation technology to improve exhaust gas recirculation, leading to optimal fuel efficiency and idle stability, along with a timing chain to ensure a lifetime of low maintenance and running costs.
Practicality is a big plus, too. It may not be very big on the outside, but the Chevrolet Spark’s clever design means it is able to make the most out of its available space.
Front seat passengers enjoy up to 1067mm of available legroom (893mm in the rear), while shoulder space of 1295mm (1255mm rear) and headroom of 1010mm (947mm) are also rated among the very best in the segment, proving that even when a car is small, it doesn’t need to be cramped.
With five doors and five available seats, the Spark is one of the most space-efficient cars in the mini segment.
Much of the interior space is down to the car’s clever design – details such as the steering column-mounted instrument pod and longer than average wheelbase allowed the designers to reduce cabin intrusion, allowing for as much space between the axles as possible.
On top of this, the cabin was planned to accommodate as much supplementary storage space as possible. The centre console, for example, incorporates a bin for carrying smaller items such as a mobile phone, MP3 player or packet of chewing gum, while there’s also a double cup/drinks holder ahead of the gear shifter.
All of this in such a compact package: at only 3640mm long and 1597mm wide, it will easily squeeze into tight city spaces, yet thanks to its short overhangs and clever cabin design the compact dimensions come without compromise.
While we can’t promise that the Spark will put an end to the stresses of commuting, we do believe it will make urban life much easier to tolerate – as the Spark’s packaging, driveability, classless looks and easy-to-manoeuvre nature make it a multi-faceted car that will fit in with even the most frantic of lifestyles.
Spark is a car with immense character, a fresh youthful design, a classless image, great practicality and low cost of ownership; in short, everything an urban motorist needs, and a lot more besides.
Bold, lively and fresh – Chevrolet Spark has urban appeal
- Smallest member of Chevrolet family
- Edgy, modern appearance
- Fun styling continues inside…
For years, car designers believed that the key to making a car appeal in the mini segment was to make it cute and cuddly.
But Chevrolet doesn’t do cute and cuddly. It’s out of keeping with almost a century of iconic vehicle design, where every Chevrolet has had to deliver a new level of edginess, character and a bold identity.
As a result, the Spark has a purposeful stance. It isn’t cute, but it sure is handsome, its angular, self-confident profile giving it the proportions of a larger vehicle, and making it appear self-confident among a sea of meeker looking city cars.
Spark was also designed with global appeal in mind. Chevrolet has always been a brand with a large footprint across the world, but its growth in Europe makes that now, more than ever, relevant.
It originated from the GM DAT design centre in Korea, with influences from all of the key markets in which Chevrolet is a major player. It’s goal? To redefine what was expected in the mini car segment. To break the rules, defy convention and deliver something that offered great style and value for money, but without compromise.
“From the beginning, we wanted to have a revolution in size and design,” explains Taewan Kim, vice president of GM DAT Design. “We wanted to take a big step forward to deliver a completely new statement, especially in the design of the car.
“We wanted it to look ready to pounce, it needed to look great from 360 degrees and it needed to generate excitement.”
The exterior of the Spark features a ‘wheels-out; body in’ stance, its single arc roofline accentuated by strong, clean body sides free of cladding. The appearance is sleek; slightly aggressive, and unmistakably more upmarket than a number of mini car rivals.
The headlamps are sculptured elliptically into the body, stretching from the front grille right back to the A-pillar, with clear polycarbonate lenses and chrome coated headlamp bezels to emphasise the frontal styling.
From the side, the rear door handles are hidden away alongside the C-pillar, answering the conundrum faced by many a designer – is a sporty three-door better than a practical five-door? Spark delivers the appeal of both.
What’s more, the sharp looks are enhanced by a level of fit and finish that’s second to none. Every single panel gap is laser straight, and engineered to be below 3.0mm or less across the car.
This precision and attention to styling detail is not only reserved for the car’s exterior – unlike some models in the segment, where interior design is clearly functional, the Spark manages to add a youthful, vigorous appeal to the inside of the car that is equal to the look of the exterior.
While maintaining exemplary levels of craftsmanship, the Spark’s cabin is an iconic piece of design in itself. It maintains all of the class attributes – comfort, spaciousness and easy-to-use controls, yet delivers them in a style that is unique to the sector.
The focal point of the cabin is the motorcycle-style instrument ‘pod’, which sits on top of the steering column and delivers all of the essential information in a compact yet easy-to-read manner. The analogue speedometer is backed up by a digital tachometer, just like on a sports bike, backlit by upmarket ice blue lighting when the headlights are turned on. It’s truly unique to the sector, and clearly illustrates the Spark’s intention to put the fun back into function.
Another smart feature is the Spark’s Integrated Centre Stack, which incorporates all of the radio, sat nav (where fitted) and heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls in one central location, leaving the fascia clean and uncluttered and putting all of the major switches in one central location that is simple and intuitive to use. The heating and ventilation controls feature a crystalline surround, which lights up in ice blue to match the instrument panel when driving at night.
A neat appliqué around the instrument panel adds even more attention to detail – finished in high grade technical grain on base models, piano black on mid-range or a choice of silver, red or blue surrounds on top models is matched by inserts in the doors, while colour-coded seat fabrics are also available.
The all new Chevrolet Spark – what is it?
- Spark replaces Matiz in Europe
- Five-door city car aimed at urban markets
- User-generated – the car our customers wanted
With the environment and the economy at front of mind for many motorists, the 21st century has seen a huge swing in consumer behaviour, away from excess and towards a more frugal, prudent approach to spending.
The Chevrolet Spark is the perfect antidote to such conservatism. It may be frugal. It may be financially prudent. But at the same time it shows how motorists can manage their responsibilities yet at the same time still have fun. No longer do people buy small or inexpensive cars because it’s all they can afford – they buy them because that’s exactly what they want. Spark is a car designed to appeal to the heart just as much as it is to the head.
Building on the strengths of the iconic Chevrolet brand – a name that for years has represented, perhaps more than any, the joy and freedom of motoring by virtue of the fact it has appeared in popular music more often than any other car brand – the Spark is a modern world interpretation of those very values.
Styled and developed by a young and dynamic team across the world, the Spark truly is a global car. It is based on GM’s Global Mini Car Architecture, which will be on sale in more than 100 countries worldwide between now and 2013. The Spark itself will be sold across Europe, Australia, Korea and even the USA, reflecting the significant changes in consumer trends, even in countries where small cars have previously never made much of an impact in the market.
In Europe, of course, that impact has already been immense. In Italy, Chevrolet’s strongest market in Western Europe, over 50 per cent of cars sold are in the A and B (mini and supermini) segments of the market, while in France and the UK the two segments account for over 30 per cent of sales.
Spark is a car that cunningly bridges the gap between a city car and a fully-fledged supermini. It has five-doors and five seats, with leg and headroom among the best in class, yet at the same time is as compact and easy to manoeuvre as the smallest city cars.
Its striking, modern design works harmoniously with its practicality to offer a compromise-free car for urban motorists, with the convenience of a much larger vehicle, youthful, vibrant appeal and a level of classlessness that only a legendary name like Chevrolet can evoke. It may be small and inexpensive, but the Spark is not a car you buy because it’s cheap. It works on so many more levels than that.
It also needed to be fun-to-drive, safe, well-equipped, beautifully made and refined – not normally words associated with city cars, but all of which are applicable to Spark.
Built in South Korea initially (although production in India and the USA will follow), the Spark is set to go on sale in all key European markets in the first quarter of 2010.
New engines – clean, efficient and lively
- New 1.0 and 1.2-litre petrol engines
- 16 valve DOHC layout
- Designed for maximum efficiency and performance
Across Europe, two engines will be offered in the Chevrolet Spark – both petrol units with displacements of 1.0 and 1.2-litres.
Both units are closely related and use a cast iron block and alloy head, with a double overhead camshaft and four valves per cylinder. They feature multi-port fuel injection and are both Euro V emissions compliant.
The two engines use advanced features such as port de-activation technology to improve exhaust gas recirculation, leading to optimal fuel efficiency and idle stability, along with a timing chain to ensure a lifetime of low maintenance and running costs.
The smaller of the two units is of 995cc displacement and produces 68PS (50Kw) at 6,400rpm, enough to power the car from 0-62mph in 15.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 96mph. The unit produces 93Nm of torque at 4,800rpm, with a compression ratio of 9.8:1
Available in Spark, Spark + and LS, the unit returns 55.4mpg on the combined cycle, with a CO2 output of 119g/km.
The larger unit displaces 1206cc and produces 81PS (60Kw), with maximum torque of 111Nm at 4,800rpm. It accelerates from 0-62mph in 12.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 102mph.
Available in Spark LS and LT, the unit also returns 55.4mpg on the combined cycle, with a CO2 output of 119g/km.
Both engines come with a five-speed manual gearbox.
Chevrolet Spark – the small car that thinks big!
- Larger than average passenger space
- Excellent cabin stowage
- Five doors, five seats
- Top class refinement and NVH levels
It may not be very big on the outside, but the Chevrolet Spark’s clever design means it is able to make the most out of its available space.
Front seat passengers enjoy up to 1067mm of available legroom (893mm in the rear), while shoulder space of 1288mm (1263mm rear) and headroom of 1009mm (952mm) are also rated among the very best in the segment, proving that even when a car is small, it doesn’t need to be cramped.
With five doors and five available seats, the Spark is one of the most space-efficient cars in the mini segment.
Much of the interior space is down to the car’s clever design – details such as the steering column-mounted instrument pod and longer than average wheelbase allowed the designers to reduce cabin intrusion, allowing for as much space between the axles as possible.
On top of this, the cabin was planned to accommodate as much supplementary storage space as possible. The centre console, for example, incorporates a bin for carrying smaller items such as a mobile phone, MP3 player or packet of chewing gum, while there’s also a double cup/drinks holder ahead of the gear shifter.
There’s a generously sized glove box, seat back pockets designed to accommodate books, road atlases or laptop computers, door bin pockets on both sides with storage for a standard sized 500ml drinks bottle and neat convenience features such as an auxiliary power socket in the lower instrument panel, overhead assist grips on the front passenger and rear doors and padded sun visors, with a ticket holder on the driver’s side.
Luggage space is 170-litres with the rear seat in place. The rear seat base and back both split 60:40 to fold flat increasing the luggage space to 568 litres.
The cabin is also one of the most refined and well-finished in the segment. Ergonomically designed, the seats are designed to be harder wearing and longer lasting than the class average, with strong knit fabric on entry-level cars and woven fabric on upper models.
Cabin engineers paid particular attention to longevity, increasing the ratio of stitches-per-inch to ensure all sew lines and seat surfaces remained tight and free from premature sagging or a stretched-seam appearance over time.
The firm ‘Durometer’ foam in the seats is highly bolstered and of a construction that evenly distributes the passenger’s weight for high comfort on both long and short journeys.
An indication of the attention to detail that went into Spark’s overall design comes from the testing carried out on the seats prior to launch – prototypes were tested in various seasons and climates across various road surfaces to optimise comfort, including side-by-side comparisons with key rivals.
Add to that the use of only high grade plastics in the interior and computer-controlled interior panel alignment ensuring no inside gap bigger than 5mm between door shuts and it’s clear to see that the high levels of build quality seen on the Spark are of a level normally only found on bigger, more expensive cars.
Of course, comfort and refinement don’t just come down to fit and finish or the use of high quality materials – one of the keys to delivering class leading refinement is to reduce noise, vibration and harshness levels (NVH) inside the cabin through effective damping and noise suppression.
With its tight and stiff body structure and carefully optimised damper and spring rates, Spark delivers a ride comfort and noise level that’s easily among the best in class, making it remarkably refined for a mini car.
Much of that is down to its complex four-mount engine cradle (with a hydraulic mount on RHD cars) which is tailored to the engine’s inherent torque axis, effectively damping transfer of vibration and noise in the process.
Enhanced chassis-to-body structure interface points are designed to ensure high levels of stiffness, further retarding low-frequency noise intrusion into the car’s cabin, isolating much of the noise and vibration caused by road surfaces.
Chevrolet Spark – Small, but safe!
- Excellent safety equipment as standard
- VSES Vehicle Stability Enhancement System available
- Four-star Euro NCAP rating
Whether it’s within the confines of the city limits or out on the open road, a good looking car has to be as impressive to drive as it is to look at.
That’s why the engineering team behind the Chevrolet Spark focused on a number of key factors that would enable it to deliver the absolute best in terms of dynamic performance and safety.
Spark has a number of key passive safety features, detailed below, that are often reserved for more expensive, larger cars – but it’s the car’s dynamic performance that is the driver’s first line of defence in any emergency situation.
As such, the Spark has taut, responsive handling characteristics, at the heart of which is a very stiff integral body frame structure, designed to aid the car’s dynamic performance and provide the driver with a heightened sense of stability, solidity and confident road command.
The suspension follows a traditional yet effective layout – MacPherson struts at the front and a compound crank (torsion beam) axle at the rear, a combination that allows for neutral, predictable handling characteristics. It is both nippy and nimble round town, yet surefooted at higher speeds.
Spark is also available with a system known as ESC, standing for Electronic Stability Control. This provides outstanding safety and control benefits, with electronic brake and traction control capabilities to provide precise anti-lock braking capabilities, as well as exceptional yaw stability.
Vented front disc brakes of 236mm in diameter are fitted at the front with 200mm drums at the rear, while a four-channel ABS system is fitted to Sparks in all European markets, along with an electronic brake assist system, which automatically applies more power to the brake callipers when an urgent stop/foot pedal motion is detected.
Round town manoeuvrability and nimbleness is enhanced by the Spark’s efficient hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering, which is geared to give a minimum turning radius of only 5 metres, with just over three turns lock to lock – it’s quick ratio making city driving more of a pleasure than a chore.
Of course, even the most able driver in the most dynamically competent car can sometimes find his or herself in a situation where a collision is inevitable, so with this in mind the Spark was designed with high levels of passive safety inbuilt from the outset.
Almost 60 per cent of the car’s structure consists of advanced steels, with varying levels of stiffness and built-in crush zones to absorb crash impacts. The front engine bay rails and subframe are designed to absorb energy while maintain the highest loads possible as they collapse, while a transition zone around the base of the A-pillars and front bulkhead effectively distributes crash energy around rather than into the passenger compartment.
A similar crush zone exists at the rear, with the fuel tank and its connections designed in a way to minimise the chance of ruptures. Additional rear impact loads are absorbed by a strong rear cross member, as GM’s internal rear crash measurement standards are greater than industry required standards.
High levels of occupant protection are further enhanced by twin front airbags, side curtain airbags and additional seat mounted thorax and abdomen airbags, seatbelt pretensioners and a pedal retraction system, which pulls the pedal box away from the car’s occupants in the event of a frontal collision, reducing the risk of lower leg injury.
Other safety features include three-point seatbelts for all five seating positions, ISOFIX rear child seat fixings and an inbuilt pedestrian protection system, designed to protect a victim’s head from hitting hard points of the car’s body or engine block in the event of a collision.
The Spark recently attained a four-star Euro NCAP rating, putting it among the best in class for small cars.
It received 69 out of a possible 100 points, coming within a single point of a maximum five-star rating.
"The outstanding performance of our new mini-car in stringent Euro NCAP testing reflects our attention to safety as well as eye-catching styling and great packaging," said Wayne Brannon, President and Managing Director of Chevrolet Europe. "The Spark meets the high expectations of mini-car buyers in Europe's mature markets."
In Adult Protection, the Spark recorded the maximum score of 8 points in the side impact crash test against a moving deformable barrier. It also received a high score of 7.35 points out of 8 points in the side pole test, indicating solid passenger protection in the event of a more severe side collision.
In Child Protection, the Spark also scored maximum points in Child Restraint System dynamic performance tests, which evaluate child protection from possible injuries in various types of crashes. Crash test dummies representing 18-month old and 3-year-old children were properly contained in their restraints by the Spark's protective shell during side impact tests.
These achievements are the result of the Chevrolet Spark's structural enhancements combined with a full offering of active and passive safety features. More than 66 per cent of the car's body is constructed of high-strength steel, with 16.5 per cent comprised of ultra-high-strength steel. The latter is mostly used in the longitudinal member of the underbody, and front and center pillars in the side body structure. This contributed to its strong performance in side crash tests.
- Available from Spring 2010
- From only £6,945 on-the-road
- Entry level car is Insurance Group 1, in new 50-group system
The coolest new mini car in town is set to offer value for money and running costs that are as enticing as its vibrant good looks!
Set to arrive in Chevrolet retailers in Spring 2010, the all-new Spark will be available from only £6,945 on-the-road, with a choice of two engines.
The entry-level Spark will be offered with a 1.0-litre engine developing 68PS, coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox. Despite being the smallest car in the Chevrolet line-up, it comes with six airbags as standard, proving that even the most compact cars can offer class-leading safety. The model recently achieved an excellent four-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, with a maximum five stars for child protection.
Models in Spark + trim, also available with the 1.0-litre engine, come with air conditioning, electric front windows and central locking, along with a USB compatible four-speaker stereo.
The LS, which is expected to be the most popular trim level, comes with a choice of the 1.0-litre or an 81PS 1.2-litre engine, and adds remote central locking, silver trim detailing, a sunglasses holder, 14-inch wheels, body-coloured door handles and mirrors, a chrome-effect grille surround, front fog lamps and a body-coloured rear spoiler.
For £500 more than the 1.2 LS, customers can add a plus pack – the LS+ gets smart alloy wheels, electric windows front and rear, a trip computer, heated electric door mirrors, roof bars and steering wheel audio controls.
The range-topping LT, which comes with the 1.2-litre engine only, comes with a level of equipment you’d normally expect of a much larger and more expensive car, including 15-inch alloys, climate control, interior detailing to match the exterior (depending on colour), an exterior body kit and a six-speaker stereo.
Options across the range include metallic paint, rear parking sensors and electronic stability control.
What’s more, the Spark will be cheap to run – as well as economy of up to 67.3mpg on the extra-urban cycle, it qualifies for incredibly low insurance. Under the new 50 Group rating system, the Spark 1.0 is in Group 1, the lowest possible band. The full list of insurance groupings is below.
A full summary of prices is detailed below. To find your nearest retailer, visit www.chevrolet.co.uk
Executive Director, Chevrolet Europe
Q. Traditionally, the Matiz has been a strong performer for Chevrolet. How do you think Spark will develop this success further?
The Matiz has been a great little performer for us, accounting for 35 per cent of our European sales over the past 5 years. I believe the new Spark will do exactly what its name says: spark a lot of interest in Chevrolet from an even wider group of customers.
Q. Spark is obviously aimed at a more youthful and energetic market than the Matiz before it. Do you not risk scaring away some of your more traditional buyers with this new, edgy approach?
You don’t win in this business without taking calculated risks. And you don’t win by watering down great designs to try to please everyone – and ultimately not exciting anyone. The Spark will enter a growing mini car segment where style is a key factor success. And, inside its stylish looks, it will offer much more space and practicality than many of its competitors.
Q. How do you see Spark contributing to Chevrolet’s European growth? What kind of volumes are you anticipating?
It’s never a good idea to cite exact targets in such a volatile industry. Bear in mind though that Chevrolet has increased its sales in Europe every year since we re-launched in 2004. If we have achieved that with a portfolio of legacy products, imagine how much more we can do with all-new Chevrolets like the Spark. We are convinced the Spark – like the Cruze - will show European car buyers that great value and great design are not mutually exclusive. I believe that’s a recipe for success.
Q. In which markets do you think Spark will perform best?
Spark has what it takes to do well in any market. It’s going to compete in a growing segment at a time when consumers are conscious of value but want a car with an attitude, too. If I had to single out one market with particularly good prospects that might be Italy where Spark’s predecessor, the Matiz, has always done exceptionally well. Fashion-conscious buyers there should love the new Spark. By the way, Chevrolet is going to launch Spark in markets all over the world, including the US.
Q. How about Chevrolet’s performance in Europe as a whole, especially in light of the current economic situation?
The economic crisis has made many consumers think hard about how to spend their hard-earned pay. “Why pay more” they are saying, “when you can have this much car for so little?” Our sales results speak for themselves.
Q. So what’s next for Chevrolet?
After Spark, we have Orlando, the new Aveo, Camaro and then of course the Volt. By 2011, when we celebrate Chevrolet’s centenary, we will have completely replaced the line-up we launched with back in 2004.
Taewan Kim – Vice President of Design, GM DAT
Chevrolet Spark
Taewan Kim started his career in International Automotive Design in United Kingdom in 1991. He was involved in designing various Japanese and European automobiles, including British Airway’s First Class seat design. While working at International Automotive Design, he worked in various locations, such as in France, Germany and Czechoslovakia.
From 1995, he started working as the chief exterior designer in Daewoo and led the exterior design of the Epica, Lacetti, Kalos and Matiz.
In 2000, he moved to FIAT and participated in numerous car designs such as the Cinquecento, Punto and Ducato.
In January 2006, he joined GMDAT as the director of Advanced Design. In November 2006, he was appointed to the Director of Exterior Design in GMDAT.
In February 2007, he was appointed to the Managing Director, the head of GMDAT Design and in June 2008, appointed to Vice President of GMDAT Design.
Taewan holds a master’s degree in Vehicle Design from Royal College of Art and a bachelor’s degree of fine arts in Transport Design from Brigham Young University.
Jack A. Keaton
Global Vehicle Line Executive
General Motors Corporation
Jack Keaton started his career with General Motors in Product Planning with the Truck Group in the United States in 1986. Since then he has held assignments in Planning, Program Management, Materials and Engineering while participating in various truck and car programs.
During his career he has worked in Joint Ventures with Toyota, Isuzu, Fiat and AVTOVAZ while being assigned to positions in the U.S., Portugal, Brazil, Russia, Germany, Thailand and South Korea. During those assignments he was involved in the launches of Toyota, Opel and AVTOVAZ developed vehicles as well as numerous enhancements and powertrain changes in existing GM vehicles.
In December, 2006, Jack started his current assignment as the Global Vehicle Line Executive for Mini Cars, located in Bupeyong, Korea.
Prior to General Motors, he worked for a few years in the Petroleum Industry after a five year stint in the U.S. Army.
Jack holds an MBA from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science in National Security and Public Affairs from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
CHEVROLET SPARK TECHNICAL SPECIFIKATION
| Engines & Transmission | 1.0 MT | 1.2 MT |
| Gearbox | Five-speed manual | Five-speed manual |
| Displacement (cc) | 995 | 1206 |
| Camshaft layout | DOHC | DOHC |
| Cylinder configuration | 4 cylinder in-line/cast iron/aluminium | 4 cylinder in-line/cast iron/aluminium |
| Valves | 4 valves per cylinder | 4 valves per cylinder |
| Bore (mm) | 68.5 | 69.7 |
| Stroke (mm) | 67.5 | 79 |
| Clutch | manual | manual |
| Power output (PS/kW) | 68/50 @ 6400rpm | 81/60 @ 6400rpm |
| Torque (Nm) | 93 @ 4800rpm | 111 @ 4800rpm |
| Top speed (mph) | 96 | 102 |
| Acceleration 0-62 mph (s) | 15.5 | 12.1 |
| Fuel injection system | Multi-point fuel injection system | Multi-point fuel injection system |
| Compression ratio | 9.8 (+/-0.2) | 9.8 (+/-0.2) |
| Final drive ratio | 4.190 | 3.905 |
| Suspension front | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Suspension rear | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Brakes | Ventilated discs - front/Drums -rear | Ventilated discs - front/Drums -rear |
| ABS brakes | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Option | Yes* |
| Drive Axle | Front wheel drive | Front wheel drive |
| Power Steering | Hydraulic | Hydraulic |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (mm) | 3640 | 3640 |
| Width excl. mirrors (mm) | 1597 | 1597 |
| Height excl. roof rails (mm) | 1522 | 1522 |
| Wheel base (mm) | 2375 | 2375 |
| Track front (mm) | 1410 | 1410 |
| Track rear (mm) | 1417 | 1417 |
| Min. turning radius (m) | 5 | 5 |
| Head room front (mm) | 1009 | 1009 |
| Head room rear (mm) | 952 | 952 |
| Leg room front (mm) | 1067 | 1067 |
| Leg room rear (mm) | 893 | 893 |
| Shoulder room front (mm) | 1288 | 1288 |
| Shoulder room rear (mm) | 1263 | 1263 |
| Load space seats up (l) | 170 | 170 |
| Fuel tank (l) | 35 | 35 |
| Kerb weight excl. driver (kg) | 864-978 | 864-983 |
| Roof load (including roof utility bar) (kg) | 50 | 50 |
| Gross vehicle weight (kg) | 1355 | 1360 |
| 5-seat | Yes | I |
| Wheel size | 4.5J x 13 (Spark, Spark+), 4.5J x 14 (Spark LS) | 4.5J x 14 (Spark LS, Spark LS+), 5.0J x 15 (Spark LT) |
| Tyre size | 155/80 R 13 (Spark, Spark+), 155/70 R 14 (Spark LS) | 155/70 R 14 (Spark LS, Spark LS+), 165/60 R 15 (Spark LT) |
| Fuel consumption | ||
| Urban (mpg (l/km)) | 42.8 (6.6) | 42.8 (6.6) |
| Extra urban (mpg (l/100km)) | 67.3 (4.2) | 67.3 (4.2) |
| Combined (mpg (l/100km)) | 55.4 (5.1) | 55.4 (5.1) |
| CO 2 Emissions (g/km) | 119 | 119 |
| Emission class | Euro V | Euro V |
The story so far
- Chevrolet founded in Europe in January 2005
- Four years of sales growth and profitability
- Over 500,000 cars sold in 2008
- Record sales year in the UK in 2009, despite challenging market.
The Chevrolet brand is one of the European car market’s great success stories – at the Paris Motor Show in 2004 GM announced its plans to launch Chevrolet on January 1, 2005, to replace the old GM Daewoo brand.
Chevrolet’s aim was to offer all of the benefits of GM’s global foundation brand to customers in markets where the brand had instant recall, despite never having a major market presence.
With a new range of bespoke Chevrolet products, developed by GM’s global design teams, the first all-new Chevrolet to launch was the 2006 Captiva, followed by the Epica saloon, Aveo hatch and most recently, the C-segment Cruze, which is set to be the first ever truly global Chevrolet, closely followed by Spark.
From humble beginnings, Chevrolet developed into a big success story, culminating in sales that broke the 500,000 barrier across Europe for the first time in 2008, despite an underperforming car market.
By the middle of 2009, Chevrolet had a European market share of 2.2 per cent, the youngest brand in Europe to ever achieve such a high figure.
In the UK, Chevrolet ended 2009 with 18,660 sales and a market share of 1.8 per cent – its best ever year despite an extremely challenging market.
Yet there is still huge potential in the Chevrolet brand, and an opportunity to grow it further, a vision that is destined to become reality over the coming months and years as new Chevrolet products are developed from the ground-up, return customers show loyalty and the brand becomes even more established, with groundbreaking technology such as the Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicle also in the pipeline.
In 2011, the Chevrolet brand celebrates its centenary. By then, its appeal will be truly global, as will the vast majority of its product range. Chevrolet Europe is a critical part of its global appeal, and looks forward to being so for the next century after that!
