Detroit Preview: 2010 Chevy Spark

[Intrepidation]

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/10/detroit...ath-to-the-web/

As the hours wind down before the 2009 Detroit Auto Show finally kicks off in the morning, more vehicles are leaking through the manufacturers' embargo nets. The latest addition to the list is the 2010 Chevy Spark, teased earlier this week on Today by GM design honcho Ed Welburn. Spark is the production version of the Chevy Beat concept that made its debut alongside the Trax and Groove at New York two years ago. Beat was the winner of a public poll to see which of the three microcar concepts would make it to production. We also know that Beat/Spark's going to get some time in the limelight as a character in this summer's Transformers sequel.

The itsy-bitsy new "world car" has grown a second set of doors in production trim, but otherwise, its styling remains remarkably true to the Beat show car. Roof rails hint at real-world practicality, and the fact that GM is choosing Detroit to unveil it suggests that maybe, just maybe, we'll see it here after all. We'll know more as the show gets officially underway, but we can say one thing: it's more interesting than the car it's set to replace in other markets. We'll have plenty more when we see it up close.

[Intrepidation]

Better than the Aveo but the Fiesta is way better looking based on this photo.

[Robert Hall]

Better than the Aveo but the Fiesta is way better looking based on this photo.

Looks like it's much smaller than the Fiesta, maybe more Ka sized..

Edited January 11, 2009 by moltar

[Cory Wolfe]

Headlights should never cover the same amount of square inches as the fender.

[Camino LS6]

Oh my eyes!

The future is looking mighty ugly.

[Robert Hall]

Oh my eyes!

The future is looking mighty ugly.

To quote a song from my youth, 'The future's so bright I gotta wear shades'... that is a bright green. (I'd like to see the Camaro in that color).

[Intrepidation]

(I'd like to see the Camaro in that color).

+1

[Camino LS6]

Color is fine, the car is the ugliest thing ever to wear a bowtie.

[Intrepidation]

Color is fine, the car is the ugliest thing ever to wear a bowtie.

I dunno about that...

[Camino LS6]

I dunno about that...

Sort of a pointless comparison, but I still give the nod to the Spark.

It looks like a tadpole with DNA scrambled by radiation.

[Intrepidation]

I think the spark would have more potential if it wasn't squished on such a tiny body.

[Z-06]

Compare to the original concept previewed in New York 2007.

The Beat

[gm4life]

Uhhh I think considering its intended market segment aka not me it would be pretty cool for young-uns. Actually it is pretty cool and yes I did vote for the Beat two years ago the Groove was a close second.

[Intrepidation]

I'll take this thank you very much:

[Toyota.vs.GM]

I'll take this thank you very much:

Two different class of cars.

Anyway the next Aveo is going to kick Fiesta butt.

[cire]

Isn't this car one class lower than the Aveo or Fiesta? I thought the Aveo and Fiesta were classified as subcompacts, while this car would be classified as a mini or city car. Anyway, the overall shape of this car still reminds me of the Opel Agila; the detailing is dramatically different, but the overall shape seems to be very similar. I guess there is only so much designers can do with a tall and stubby box.

I do think it would be great to see a next gen Aveo subcompact sedan (although I would like to see the Nova name resurrected) with Beat styling cues make its way into Chevrolet's lineup. Hatchback versions (with Daewoo styled grilles) would be assigned to Saturn (since I the Opel/Saturn relationship seems to be history).

Edited January 11, 2009 by cire

[cire]

I'll take this thank you very much:

+1

I believe the Fiesta will become the standard bearer in the subcompact segment.

[gm4life]

I'll take this thank you very much:

I'll take neither and buy myself a nice 2004 Seville SLS with low miles in White Lightning and add a corsa cat back exhaust and a K&N intake thank you and stick 5K in the bank.

[regfootball]

spark? fiesta? both very nice.

bend over people, the greenies and wall streeters ruined the world so this is the type of things we might be able to afford anytime in the next 5 years.

[Camino LS6]

spark? fiesta? both very nice.

bend over people, the greenies and wall streeters ruined the world so this is the type of things we might be able to afford anytime in the next 5 years.

And I can afford to never own one.

That gives me hope.

[Intrepidation]

I'll take neither and buy myself a nice 2004 Seville SLS with low miles in White Lightning and add a corsa cat back exhaust and a K&N intake thank you and stick 5K in the bank.

Different strokes for different folks, but the SLS is too floaty for me.

[smk4565]

Fiesta is way better, GM is somewhat clueless when it comes to small vehicles.

[gm4life]

And I can afford to never own one.

That gives me hope.

I know I own boring FWD cars at least my Impala is but, I refuse to go that small and boring. Not to mention that under-powered. I already have a Troy-Bilt 2410 Snow Thrower with more power than that I just got. :AH-HA_wink:

[Lamar]

Different strokes for different folks, but the SLS is too floaty for me.

Looks nice though. When I was car shopping, I had hoped to run across an STS but they were extremely hard to come by... and sold a lot quicker.

Back on subject, I don't have a problem with the Spark... just the viability of this segment in the US. Would this be considered A-segment?

[Intrepidation]

I know I own boring FWD cars at least my Impala is but, I refuse to go that small and boring. Not to mention that under-powered. I already have a Troy-Bilt 2410 Snow Thrower with more power than that I just got. :AH-HA_wink:

Contrary to popular belief on this site, FWD doesn't equal boring or bad. After all, I love my large FWD beast. :wink:

[gm4life]

Different strokes for different folks, but the SLS is too floaty for me.

Nawh that is about just right. They ride about like my Bonneville and that is just perfect. I was just saying if you gave me 15K to get a car like that I would get that. Speaking of which a 02-04 Seville might be coming to my house very soon...

Edited January 11, 2009 by gm4life

[mustang84]

Less is more. GM went overboard with this design, to the point where it looks cartoonish. The new Ka and Fiat 500 are the direction they should have been striving for, design-wise.

[Robert Hall]

Less is more. GM went overboard with this design, to the point where it looks cartoonish.

For some reason, this car and the Beat remind me of a Pokemon character..the clash of angles, I guess.

Edited January 11, 2009 by moltar

[Camino LS6]

For some reason, this car and the Beat remind me of a Pokemon character..the clash of angles, I guess.

Spot on!

A mutant tadpole.

[Z-06]

That shows how people look for more flash than tasteful design. I personally voted for the Grove as many of others on this website did. But majority voted for the Beat and that is why we are seeing it. At least the concept had less creases, this car has wrinkles without any theme.

[SAmadei]

WTF! The Beat was perfectly fine... why does _everything_ have to have 4 doors. Americans are getting larger, not smaller, and the rear seats in a lot of these things are useless!

Yeah, the Fiesta is going to kill this thing because GM is still idiotic. Of course, IMHO, the Fiesta is still too long for a "city car".

[Robert Hall]

WTF! The Beat was perfectly fine... why does _everything_ have to have 4 doors. Americans are getting larger, not smaller, and the rear seats in a lot of these things are useless!

Yeah, the Fiesta is going to kill this thing because GM is still idiotic. Of course, IMHO, the Fiesta is still too long for a "city car".

There may be a 3dr version eventually, though I would think in any market, a 4/5 dr will always outsell an equivalent 2dr/3dr...just more practical. This is replacing the Matiz, I assume, which is 5dr only, I think. The Pontiac version will be the G2 probably (like it is now in Mexico).

Edited January 11, 2009 by moltar

[Camino LS6]

There may be a 3dr version eventually, though I would think in any market, a 4/5 dr will always outsell an equivalent 2dr/3dr...just more practical. This is replacing the Matiz, I assume, which is 5dr only, I think. The Pontiac version will be the G2 probably (like it is now in Mexico).

God help us!

A G2?

Shoot me now.

[Satty]

You'll really hate the G1, which my sources tell me will be a rebadged Segway.

[Intrepidation]

I preferred the Trax.

[Robert Hall]

God help us!

A G2?

Shoot me now.

Yes...Pontiac Excitement from south of the border! The current Daewoo Matiz/Chevy Spark is rebadged as the Pontiac G2. Quite sporty, isn't it?

[Camino LS6]

You'll really hate the G1, which my sources tell me will be a rebadged Segway.

I think I'll take the G zero instead.

[Satty]

I think I'll take the G zero instead.

?

[Camino LS6]

?

That certainly has more potential for fun than the 4-wheeled nastiness in this thread.

[Satty]

Maybe if your idea of fun is the same as Richard Gere's.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

I actually like it.... A lot.

Of course, I loved the Beat. (I always love cars that look that pissed off)

One person said to look for marker lights and if it has those, then it likely meets US specs. It does indeed have marker lights.

[pow]

Not a fan at all. The Beat looks overstyled, yet compared to the 500 or MINI, it's lacking in detail. I prefer the tidier Opel Agila.

[ZL-1]

I don't dislike it (despite the HUGE headlights).

I would like to see a 3 door model, although I suspect such a model will only be found on www.not-going-to-happen.com

EDIT - I Hope this makes it to the US

Edited January 11, 2009 by ZL-1

[ocnblu]

Sigh... much uglier than the Beat. The thing I liked about the Beat was the 2-door bodystyle... gone from the production version. The hidden rear door handles are a pathetic nod to a sportier 2-door body. I have no love for this thing.

[Camino LS6]

I still don't think this class of car has much of a future in this country.

[chevelle454]

This type of car has no appeal to me.

[Robert Hall]

I still don't think this class of car has much of a future in this country.

If gas goes up to $5 or $6/gallon, it might take off...

[PurdueGuy]

should've made it 2-dr. If people want to carry around more than themselves & 1 passenger, they should buy a bigger car. Heck, I'd be tempted to remove the rear seat & make it better cargo space anyway. A car this size should simply concentrate on being fun, efficient, and comfortable for TWO.

[Robert Hall]

should've made it 2-dr. If people want to carry around more than themselves & 1 passenger, they should buy a bigger car. Heck, I'd be tempted to remove the rear seat & make it better cargo space anyway. A car this size should simply concentrate on being fun, efficient, and comfortable for TWO.

Well, this a small family car in some markets... for a couple with an infant or two. In other parts of the world, families don't buy full size SUVs or minivans to haul around their rug rats.

[cire]

I still don't think this class of car has much of a future in this country.

I agree. I think gas prices would have to be almost off the chart before many Americans would consider a vehicle this small. I think the subcompact class is probably the smallest acceptable size for most Americans.

You think with all the advances in technology that we have today, someone would have created a fuel efficient vehicle of a comfortable size that doesn't require a major price premium or look like a shapeless egg.