It’s the car the Ed Welburn wanted to show Matt Lauer but couldn’t. After giving us a little peek at it last month, General Motors today fully unveiled the all-new 2010 Chevrolet Spark prior to its 2009 Geneva Motor Show debut in March. The new Spark minicar was inspired by the Chevrolet Beat Concept, the most popular of the trio of mini-car concepts General Motors showed throughout the 2007 auto show season.
The 5-door Chevrolet Spark hatchback will go on sale in Europe with 1.0 and 1.2L 16-valve 4-cylinder DOHC gasoline engines starting early 2010. Other markets will follow. The U.S. market is expected to get their 2010 Chevy Spark sometime in 2011.
Follow the jump for the high-res image gallery and video of the 2010 Chevrolet Spark design story.
2010 Chevrolet Spark:
Press Release:
Chevrolet Spark: World Premiere at Geneva Auto Show
- Fun and fashion add sizzle to mini-car segment
- Youthful interior with motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster
- Fuel-efficient 1.0-liter and 1.2-liter 4-cylinder DOHC engines
All-new mini-car with maximum attitude
The all-new Chevrolet Spark, making its world premiere at the Geneva auto show in March, is a small car designed to make a big statement. It’s big on style, big on fuel economy and, like all products carrying the Chevrolet gold bowtie, big on refinement and value.
Its design breaks the mold for mini-cars and takes Chevrolet’s signature styling elements to this vehicle segment in a youthful, fun and fashion-conscious way.
Spark was inspired by the Chevrolet Beat concept, the most popular of a trio of mini-car concepts that has toured international auto shows since 2007. A clear majority among 1.9 million internet voters said it was the car they wanted produced.
Exterior
The crisp lines of the five-door hatchback provide a wedge-like profile. Below Chevrolet’s hallmark two-tier grille and headlamps that resemble diamond cut lines, the shape of the fog lamp housings and the “floating” lower air intake extend the sense of forward movement. Strong wheel arches accommodate up to 15-inch wheels to give the car a dynamic, ready-to-go stance.
The rear door handles are integrated into the upper part of the door to preserve the clean lines of rear quarter panel and wheel arches. In the rear, an integrated tailgate spoiler and Chevrolet’s round tail lights add to Spark’s appeal.
With an overall length of 3,640 mm and a generous 2,375 mm wheelbase, Spark offers a spacious cabin with outstanding leg and hip room in the front and rear.
Interior
The design of Spark’s spacious cabin clearly matches its fun and fashion exterior look and functionality. A unique feature is the motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster. Mounted on the steering column, it provides easy- to- read information to the driver utilizing a combination of analog and digital displays.
With fresh colors and fabrics, exterior color schemes continue inside to Chevrolet’s signature ‘dual cockpit’ layout and the door panels. Textured inserts flow from the instrument panel to each side of the cabin into the doors, adding another eye-catching element to the interior.
Spark also boasts a high level of interior acoustic refinements typical of larger vehicles.
Engines and safety
Sales will start in Europe featuring 1.0 and 1.2-liter 16-valve four-cylinder double overhead camshaft gasoline engines, delivering excellent fuel efficiency and low emissions.
Depending on global markets, safety equipment includes driver and passenger front air bags, front side airbags, roof rail head curtain airbags, antilock brakes and electronic stability control. Other safety features include pre-tensioners for front seat belts and three-point belts in the rear. Spark has been developed and is expected to achieve high crash test ratings.
Europe leads start of sales
Spark will be available in European dealerships early 2010, followed by other global regions. Spark is the newest in a series of all-new, globally developed Chevrolet vehicles that are defined by expressive design, refinement and value.
