Clicky Web Analytics Sentastic Senoj: Chevrolet Spark
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Friday, September 19, 2008

Chevrolet Spark

General Motors, the world’s biggest carmaker who rolled out its small car Chevrolet Spark in India as it takes on market leader Maruti Suzuki. The company has set the price of Spark at Rs 3.09 lakh (Ex-showroom Delhi) for the base model, slightly lower than Rs 3.21 lakh for Maruti’s Zen Estillo base model. Chevrolet Spark would be available in four options with the price increasing to Rs 3.89 lakh. The company, which has so far sold two million units of the small car globally, will initially roll out Spark from its manufacturing facility in Gujarat.

Spark would be available in two versions of petrol engine: 795cc and 995cc. The 795cc, 6valve engine would compete with Maruti 800. It will deliver a power of 8KW and torque of 68.6 Nm@4600 rpm. The three-cylinder design provides a very flat torque curve, which results in a less peak power delivery. The 795cc engine claims to give a mileage of 19.2kpl with a top speed of 142 km/hr.

Chevrolet Spark has a mono frame design, which maximizes the wheelbase, and in turn improves cabin space. The body is made of high strength steel, which makes the car lighter and gives the required stability on road while driving. Spark has a completely new torsion beam rear axle, which is coupled to angled shock absorbers and semi trailing arms.

Chevrolet Spark

Spark has 1L engine which outputs 63bhp of power and 90Nm of torque. With these figures, enthusiast will definitely feed well but people anxious about the fuel economy might disappoint. Unlike Matiz which comfortably gave over 15 kmpl in city, Chevrolet Spark will give approx 13kmpl in similar driving conditions. People who have ever driven Matiz know that in spite of having a very small engine, Matiz never gave a slothful feeling. The engine always did the needful as far as city-driving is concerned. With 1L engine, Spark is more thrilling in city and much better at highways.

Exterior is not changed much. Though fascia, tail-design is quite different from Matiz, the overall shape & size of Chevrolet Spark gives a familiar look. Exterior & Interior dimensions are almost equal to the old Matiz. Car is available in five colors; Icy Blue, Mint Green, Fiery Red, Casablanca White and Platinum Metallic. To me, Mint Green looked too funky but Icy Blue and Platinum Metallic were soothing. Paint work quality could have been much better.

Spark Engine:

Spark has two versions of petrol engine-0.8L and 1L. There is speculation about launch of diesel engine, but at least in the short term first the diesel will be introduced in Chevrolet AVEO U-VA to match diesel swift. The 795cc, 6valve-Smaller engine to take on Maruti 800 will pump out 38KW and torque of 68.6 Nm@4600 rpm. The three-cylinder design is said to provide a very flat torque curve, which means a much less peaky power delivery than would be expected from an engine of this size, and ensures that the Spark exceeds most performance expectations. The three-cylinder unit claims to give a mileage of 19.2kpl with a top speed of 142 km/hr.



Chevrolet Spark

Spark Exteriors:

The large round head lamps brings back the memory of old Daewoo Matiz. The Chevrolet spark is a classic example of the Mono form design, as is the Zen Estilo and Honda Civic. The Mono form design reduces the front and rear extension which means the easy parking in metros and it also maximizes the wheel base, which in turn improves cabin space. Thanks to the selection of materials, generous use of high strength steel not only gives you the required stability but it also makes the car weigh less. It weighs about 795 kg against 875kg Zen Estilo.

To improve the handling of the Spark, a completely new torsion beam rear axle was used, coupled to angled shock absorbers and semi trailing arms. This will provide you much greater accuracy wheel control than the rambling axle used in Zen Estilo. The Gas pressure shock absorbers together with softer mounting rubbers in the suspension links will improve the ride comfort. Chevrolet claims that spark gives you greater visibility from the high driving position with low waist line and slim pillars for tight reversing occasions.

Spark Interiors:

The Spark interior is divided into two main sections. In the driver’s direct line of view, there is a semi-circular set of displays incorporating the control and warning lights. Then, in the center of the dashboard and slightly raised, is the instrument panel with classic-style analogue displays, easily visible to all Spark occupants. They provide information on rpm, speed and fuel level. The odometer reading and time are displayed in digital form which means they are easy to pick out at a glance and the clever ergonomics mean you don’t have to peer through the steering wheel and take your eyes off the road. More cars should have this set-up.

Chevrolet Spark

For average sized people the Spark’s interior will pose no problems in the legroom department and headroom will fit for most sizes too. The seats are supportive and good for distance work. The rear seat’s backrest can be divided in the ratio 60:40 against the not folding type offered by Zen Estilo, enabling longer objects to be transported without problem. If the complete bench is flipped up, the capacity rises to an impressive 845 liters whereas the luggage space is 170litres.

Spark Safety and special features:

Spark Anti Lock Braking System and driver-passenger airbags may not be offered in 0.8L spark and may be offered in 1Lspark as an optional one. Specifically distinct load paths with an energy absorbing hexagonal profile protect the passengers in the event of a head-on or rear collision. Optimized links between the B-pillar and the sills provide additional protection in the event of a side impact.

The range of safety equipment is completed by an energy-absorbing steering column, knee padding and a plastic fuel tank with a safety valve that immediately halts the fuel supply if the car turns over, thereby virtually eliminating any fire risk. Certainly it may not be the safest car but 0.8L spark will certainly score over the Maruti 800 when comes to safety. Air conditioning, power windows, power steering, remote fuel lid opener and remote tail gate opener will be offered as standard in 1L spark.

Chevrolet Spark

Technical Specification

Dimensions & Weights
Overall Length 3495 mm
Overall Width 1495 mm
Overall Height 1518 mm
Wheel Base 2345 mm
Ground Clearance 170 mm
Front Track 1315 mm
Rear Track 1280 mm
Front Headroom 1004 mm
Front Legroom 1022 mm
Rear Legroom mm
Rear Shoulder
mm
Boot Space 170 liter
Kerb Weight 840 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight kg
No of Doors 5 door
Capacity
Seating Capacity 5 person
Fuel Tank Capacity 35 liter
Fuel Efficiency
Mileage (Highway) 18 km/liter
Mileage (City) 13 km/liter
Mileage (Overall) 14.7 km/liter
Performance
Maximum Speed 150 Km/Hour
0-100kmph 16.1 seconds
1/4 Mile 21.2 seconds
100kmph-0 (Braking) meters
80kmph-0 (Braking) 32.1 meters
Engine
Engine Type/Model 1.0L 4-Cyl SOHC Petrol
Displacement 995 cc
Power 63 PS @ 5400 rpm
Torque 90 Nm @ 4200 rpm
Valve Mechanism SOHC
Bore 68.5 mm
Stroke 67.5 mm
Compression Ratio 9.3:1
No of Cylinders 4 cylinder
Cylinder Configuration Inline
Valves per Cylender 2 valve
Ignition Type
Engine Block Material
Block Head Material
Fuel Type Petrol
Fuel System Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection
Transmission
Transmission Type Manual
Gears/Speeds 5 Gears
Clutch Type
Final Reduction Gear Ratio 4.44
Suspensions
Front Suspension Mcpherson Struts with Anti-roll Torsion bars, gas-filled shock-absorbers
Rear Suspension Torsion Beam Axle, gas-filled shock-absorbers
Steering
Steering Type Rack & Pinion, Power-assisted
Power Assisted Standard
Minimum Turning Radius 4.6 meter
Brakes
Brake Type
Front Brakes Ventilated discs
Rear Brakes Self Adjusting Drums
Wheels & Tyres
Wheel Type Steel
Wheel Size 4.5J x 13"
Tyres 155 / 70 R13
Standard Features
Feature Availability
Air Conditioner YES
Power Windows YES
Power Door Locks NO
Power Steering YES
Anti-Lock Braking System NO
Traction Control NO
Driver Air-Bags NO
Passenger Air-Bags NO
Immobilizer NO
Cup Holders YES
Folding Rear-Seat NO
Rear Wash Wiper NO
Alloy Wheels NO
Tubeless Tyres NO
Central Locking YES
Remote Boot/Fuel-Lid YES
Steering Adjustment NO
Tachometer NO
Child Safety Locks YES
Front Fog Lights NO
Rear Defroster NO
Defogger (Rear) NO
Leather Seats NO
Power Seats NO
AM/FM Radio NO
Cassette Player NO
CD Player NO
Sun-Roof NO
Moon-Roof NO

Standard Colors

  • Icy Blue
  • Mint Green
  • Fiery Red
  • Casablanca White
  • Platinum Metalli
Detailed Features
Comfort
  • IP lower stowage - driver and co-driver side
  • Cup holders in front console
  • Bottle holders in front doors
  • Day/night rear view mirror
  • Remote fuel filler release
  • Remote tailgate release
  • Front room lamp
  • Passenger side sunvisor with vanity mirror
  • Low fuel warning lamp
  • Heater
  • Seat back shopping hooks
  • Internally adjustable OSRVMs
  • Temperature gauge
  • Card holder
  • AC
  • Power steering
  • Front power windows
  • Rear power windows
  • Digital clock
  • Cigerette lighter
  • Detachable ashtray
Exterior
  • Full wheel cover
  • Tinted glass
  • Both sides OSRVMs
  • Body-coloured bumper
Interior
  • Fabric upholstery
  • Fabric insert on door trims
  • Rear parcel shelf
Safety
  • Rear door child locks
  • 2.5MPH front and rear bumpers
  • Door ajar warning display
  • Center high mount stop lamps
  • Central locking
Chevrolet Spark

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