Finally the Chevrolet Spark, a model that was allegedly shamelessly cloned to become the Chery QQ, will be able to have a unique design again! The new Chevrolet Spark will be unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, smack in the heart of Europe where small and fuel efficient hatchbacks like this are popular.
The new Spark is based on the Chevrolet Beat Concept, one third of a trio of cute compact concept cars that GM exhibited sometime ago. While the Beat was a 3-door hatch, it has been translated for production into the 5-door design you see here. The new Spark will also be making an appearance in the new Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen movie, a smart marketing move as potential young and gimmick-loving European first time car buyers could be swayed to buying “that car that was in Transformers” when picking among the many choices out there.
Click for enlarged image
This is the first time we’re looking at the Spark’s interior and it seems that Chevrolet has implemented a motorcycle-style instrument cluster positioned in front of the driver. It is mounted on the steering column like the new MINI and uses a combination of analog and digital instrumentation to display information.
Despite being a small (likely low-end) model, there is considerable attention paid to detail with the exterior design. It’s not easy/cheap to stamp metal into the shapes required for the body, and the rear door handles are hidden near the C-pillar much like the Alfa Romeo 147 and 156. The interior dash lights up in a colour similiar to the Jaguar XF.
The new Chevrolet Spark is 3,640mm long with a 2,375mm wheelbase and will be available with either a 1.0 litre or a 1.2 litre engine, both DOHC engines with 4-cylinders for smoothness that’s hard to achieve with a 3-cylinder. The car will (depending on markets) be available with front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, and even stability control.
The Spark is expected to hit European dealers by early 2010. Stay tuned for more updates on this new compact car once Geneva rolls by, then we’ll have full specifications including power output and more photos of the interior.
UPDATE: Added a video of Dave Lyon, director of GM Design, explaining the exterior and interior design of the all-new Chevrolet Spark
For now, two more shots are available after the jump.
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
first!!
Somehow….. it looks unacceptable. The fiesta is still the best looking hatchback in its class for the moment IMHO.
i prefer the audi a1 ather than fiesta !
aggressive look.. love it.. =)
Looks wise, i love it. Looks very aggresive with the about-to-pounce stance. Is it gonna be bumblebee in Transformer 2? Hope it makes its way over to boleh-land. Autobots! Transform…!
nice interior , nad probably the longest gear knob ive ever seen !
looks freakin ugly, kids will cry when they see it…if i’m driving a cheapo car i’d want to be as discreet as possible, not stick out like a mutanised daewoo!
Nice front-end, side and interior design, only marred by back-end design. If they ever come to Malaysia and cost lesser than 55k, I will seriously consider buying one for my wife. It is still a lot more cooler and nicer compared to most of the Malaysian marques.
i like the way it looks
autobot, roll out!
Cute!!! On my wish list!!!
Back almost like Kia Soull
Cute, but Chevy must drop that stupid signature grille with that bar going thru behind the logo. Makes it look ugly
I thought I saw Suzuki Splash.
cool interior
With some Hyundai Starex hint in front.
May be it’s about the color that make it looks ugly
Nice radical design. May join those Jazz and A170 territory.
Paul,
I think in the picture, it’s a 3 door hatchback? not 5 rite?
Paul Tan says: It’s a 5-door, look closely at where the rear door’s handle are hidden, similiar to how Alfa Romeo does it on the 147 and 156.
nice looking little car! i believe the chinese chery will not copy the model as qq b4. chery is branding themselve by developed own products. it is also mission given by the chinese gov. fyi. chery is just like proton which hv strong back up from local gov. woundnt be suprise chery is progressing fast & soon will be ahead of p1!?
nice looking car….but it looks more like an AVEO replacement…
better buy BMW 1 series
looks nice
savvy can be autobot too………