U.S. Getting Updated Chevrolet Spark

[nsap]

U.S. Getting Updated Chevrolet Spark
Spark will also bring North America a new engine.
www.GMInsideNews.com
September 14, 2011
By: Nick Saporito

Rendering designed by GMI member Nick Wilcox, see his blog here.

Way back in January 2009 General Motors confirmed that the Chevrolet Spark mini-car would ultimately be sold in North America. After an extended period of time outside of the media’s limelight, recent spy shots have confirmed that the Spark will receive a mild update prior to arriving on North American shores.

Earlier this year GMI confirmed that the Spark, despite its absence from corporate communications at GM, was still slated to arrive in 2012 as a 2013 model. According to the newest information from GMI’s product development sources, that timing is still accurate.

The Spark will arrive in mid-2012 sporting a new front fascia and other small design tweaks. Last month spy shots of the North American Spark confirmed the new look, which GMI’s rendering is based on.

Sources familiar with the development of the Spark state that the design changes are not for aesthetics only. The current Spark, sold in global markets, does not meet stringent U.S. safety standards. The new front end alleviates that problem.

As seen from the above, the North American car will sport a larger grille and revised lower air intake. The large shield shaped grille comes as no surprise considering a similar design trait is on the recently launched Chevrolet Sonic. North American models will also drop the side repeater lamps.

In global markets the Spark is powered by a 1.0-liter and optional 1.2-liter four-cylinder engines. Today neither engine is offered in North America, however that will be changing once the Spark arrives on North American shores.

According to GMI sources the North American Spark will sport the 1.2-liter four-cylinder, mated to the choice of a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission.

In global markets the 1.2-liter engine churns out about 80 horsepower and 80 foot-pounds of torque. Converting the European fuel economy, the Spark 1.2-liter achieves about 46 miles per-gallon in mixed driving.

It is unclear if the 1.2-liter will receive any updates prior to the North American launch.

In all markets the Spark is based on a shrunken variant of GM’s global Gamma architecture. The North American Spark will likely be imported from GM Korea’s Changwon, South Korea assembly plant.

[paul8488]

Yikes, that car has too much face. It's all grille and headlights, even the current one.

[MonteChad]

I was in Chula Vista, near San Diego, last weekend and I saw one in a parking lot as I was driving by. I was on my way to a wedding. Wish I took pictures. It was the same green, and looked great next to other cars. My wife said, what is that thing!!

So mad at myself.

[GMFAN85]

Not to offend the artist, but I'm confident that GM wouldn't make the Spark that homely looking considering the current model's styling.

That being said, I'm glad that GM is giving the North American model some tweaks before it comes here.

[nsap]

Not to offend the artist, but I'm confident that GM wouldn't make the Spark that homely looking considering the current model's styling.

That being said, I'm glad that GM is giving the North American model some tweaks before it comes here.

Look at the spy shots. There isn't much left for interpretation.

[oklapike]

It's too bad they revised the lower fascia so much...now it's got the same goofy smile look as the Hyundai Genesis coupe.

[ne_one]

Hmm... looks like the spy shots link is in the R&T pit stop.

[walkerna]

Yuck

[Quickening]

Of course it loses the side repeater and the lower fascia is decent looking on the global version.

[majicbz07]

I think the lower grille needs to be toned down a bit even if its too meet US regs., its way too big and kinda commical.

[majicbz07]

Of course it loses the side repeater and the lower fascia is decent looking on the global version.

I don't understand why GM doesn't just keep the side markers on US and Canadian cars, most of the times they get removed or added for Euro countries, they should just keep it on.

[GMFAN85]

Look at the spy shots. There isn't much left for interpretation.

I couldn't see them.

[Al465]

The front end looks a lot better than the Ford Fiesta and will get great gas mileage.

[DetroitIron]

Not a fan.

[georgewerr]

Not something I would buy (To small ) but still glad its coming