Chevrolet has teased the 2016 Spark ahead of the model’s planned debut at the New York International Auto Show on April 2nd. The all-new Korean-built hatchback’s American debut will also happen in tandem with its Korean unveiling at the Seoul Auto Show, the automaker announced.
The all-new Spark, which has been spied testing on numerous occasions and was even caught without its camouflage not far from General Motor’s Changwon Assembly plant in Korea, will have “a sleeker, more aerodynamic profile,” and will be “a progressive take on Chevrolet’s signature design cues.”
“The new Spark’s design has evolved and grown up with the segment,” Michael Simcoe, GM’s international vice president of design, said in a statement. “The youthful whimsy of the original Spark is still in its genes, but it is conveyed in more traditional proportions that reinforce the customer’s refined expectations.”
The updated model is expected to have plenty in common with the Opel Karl and Vauxhall Viva in which it will share a platform with, however there will likely be changes to the powertrain and interior, among others. We’re expecting the Spark to be offered with new engines from GM’s line of Ecotec motors, but the 75 horsepower 1.0-liter offered in the Karl and Viva will probably omitted.
According to GM, the Spark is attracting more young buyers to the Chevrolet brand, with 26 percent of Spark owners being under the age of 35. The model is also experiencing success in the new year, with sales up 32 percent in January and February. The bowtie brand will be looking for the new Spark to carry the success of the outgoing model when it’s unveiled next month.
Comments
I know I will probably get lit up for this comment, but honestly who the hell cares about the Spark, especially enough for GM to think people would be excited by a sneak peek image of it.
Stop screwing around with this GM and give us some more teasers of the CT6 and Camaro; the cars people actually care about
Maybe it is just this picture, but the Karl design looks cleaner, better.
I expected identical bodies as this would save GM money. I don’t view a car this small as needing to follow the Chevrolet Heartbeat design ethos.
GM has already provided teasers for those cars. Why not this? I think GM and the rest of the domestic automakers neglected the compact, subcompact, and this segment for far too long and it’s reputation suffered as a result.
The CT6 and Camaro are going to show that GM can do performance and luxury, but cars like this continue to show that GM can produce good high-volume cars for everyone else and there are people who are interested.
All GM products must be important. GM products themselves all respects will be the GM to become better and more powerful. Chevrolet is also different from the rear. vag would be difficult to provide all the same products. However, GM would have the opportunity to be more similar to but different from prand.
However, VAG-conserves offers minis .
high volume is not the most important thing. Products must first be ideal. I would not be proud and happy when GM would sell a lot of products but what a complete mess. For me it is important that GM is high quality. high-level products. and these products are not required to be inexpensive as well.
The worst thing is when a company offers a lot of crap products and very cheap.
I agree that the coming CT6, Camaro and even the Malibu are more interesting and anticipated vehicles but the Spark is like a gateway vehicle for Chevrolet that will introduce the brand to the coveted under 35 demographic that all manufacturer’s want.
Eventually those buyers will hopefully move up into a Cruze to a Malibu to a Impala with a Camaro along the way.
These cars are meant for people who want nothing more than to get from one place to another and dont neccessarily need or want a vibrating seat or V2V connections etc.. However they do want a quality car . Just because it is an entery level car doesnt mean it has to be poorly executed . And if GM can build enough of them it helps with CAFE regulations . I see more of these on the road on MSU’s campus ( and in the parking lots ) . The young people want a car that gets good gas mileage and a kick a$$ stereo and can get around the congested roads . I also think it is the same for selling over seas .
I’m expecting that this car will have a more mature look and feel to it. The cheesy blue and green interior plastic trim in the current Spark is downright horrendous! I also am hoping for best non-hybrid fuel economy! There’s no reason not to use a High Output 1.0t I3 in this Spark. With 130HP and 140LB-FT, the Spark could make it to 60 in as little as 8 seconds. Including the use of VVT, SIDI, IVVL, Stop/Start, and a 6 Speed Automatic, I expect at least 35 City and 50 Highway. A 1.6t CDTi I4 (130HP/245LB-FT) that gets 40 City and 55 Highway wouldn’t be a bad idea either…
I am expecting to see the 2016 Chevy Spark Ev being sold nation wide until the 2017 Bolt is produced.