mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

Rumor: 2013 Chevy Spark To Enter U.S. Market With 1.2L 80 Horsepower Engine?

When the refreshed Chevrolet Spark enters the U.S. market next year as a 2013 model, rumor has it that the miniature mobility machine will feature a petite 1.2-liter Ecotec four cylinder engine, which is currently present in models sold around the world.

Power ratings are expected to be measly, as the engine currently punches out no more than 80 horsepower and 80 pound-feet of torque over in Europe, but returns as much as 46 miles per gallon when converted from the European mpg cycle.  Transmission offerings will be either a four speed automatic, or a five speed manual transmission.

What do you think about the expected engine choice?

Source: AutoGuide

Former staff.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. Very nice post and review.I do agree with this aspect, this car is a class apart,We cannot compare it with others.This is a very good choice if you try considering Chevrolet Beat to be your car and ride with smooth performance for any kind of journey on the road.

    Reply
  2. I think this car gotta have more than 100 hp considering here in the U.S. have a lot of hills and I’m just not sure having 80hp will provide it.

    Reply
  3. We may be overthinking this vehicle, but for most hp starved Americans we expect a certain amount of oomph. That said it wasn’t that long ago that I myself was driving a Volkswagon Quantum GL 5 with a measly 105hp. I enjoyed a video on you tube showing a Spark owners club cruzing around the boguta, columbia back country. Anyway, for most 80hp may not meet there needs, but for a around the town commuter what do you really need…

    Reply
  4. Price will be a huge factor here, I would think though that GM would offer around 100hp and improve the Goe’esq looking interior and have a really nice LTZ option peaking at $12,000. Base model could still be around $9,500 to 10 grand.

    Reply
    1. I agree with you on that!

      Reply
  5. That’s not a lot of torque should have a 6 speed automatic.

    Reply
  6. I don’t know why this vehicle peaks my interest so much other than I want a simple run about that is reasonably priced and fun to drive, it seems to be doing well overseas, I love the racing striped versions I have seen, especialy the tricked out models in South America. But I can’t see this going for more than 10 or 11 grand as a base model. There must be a super refined LTZ model as well, The LTZ should have a best in class blow away interior and some refined exterior features; almost as though it was a different car than the base, pulling in the Smart and 500 buyers… Come on GM think outside the box on this one, please…

    Reply
    1. I wonder if this thing will even have an LTZ trim… The last-gen Aveo didn’t.

      Reply
  7. Well, you’ve got to keep things in perspective. Who is it competing against?
    It’s a “City Car” much like the Smart Car.
    The Smart runs on a 1.0L engine (61ci), with 70hp
    (source: http://www.smartusa.com/models/passion-cabriolet/specifications.aspx )
    Now if GM is turbocharging the 1.4L in the Sonic to improve performance and fuel mileage… I have to ask why not make a 1.2L Turbo for the Spark?

    Reply
    1. word!!

      Reply
    2. @LorbeerTLC A turbo would be nice, but not at the bottom-of-the-barrel price point where this vehicle is being positioned… But @yaba makes an interesting point: if a few vehicles were to be made from this one platform, then the expenditures may make financial sense, as the volume would (I’d think) increase. Hmmm.

      Reply
      1. Alex, I wonder how much extra this would cost?
        Also, I would only offer it to the top LTZ model for the Spark (if that model is offered).

        Remember the Renault R-5 (Le Car) Turbo?
        Or for those who remember the late 1960’s, VW’s EMPI?
        When it comes to subcompacts and “City Cars” (Spark), we want to play the “safe” card and not lead by setting examples for others to follow.

        Well, I wish GM would take a bold step in showing the world we can lead in the small car world and not be a follower. We’re great in doing this in large cars… so why not small ones too?
        Build the Spark the way it’s suppose to be built. But for a few elite, offer a performance package that’ll blow the competition out of the water and make the world take notice: “Whoa! This ain’t your Father’s GM anymore!”

        Reply
  8. Turbo please, word up…

    Reply
  9. LTZ it should have… But the LTZ should almost have the feel of a different vehicle…
    Honestly this does not have the elegance of a Fiat 500, but I think Chevrolet could think outside of the box and create an upscale spark that catered to the I want a euroesq city car with finer amenaties crowd… why not,,, personally I would like to see a range of vehicles on this platform, similar to the original concepts, each could have unique characteristics with one being a premium city car.

    Reply
  10. The gearbox choice is going to be the biggest problem. If they use 6 speeds they can overdrive top gear further, hopefully getting better fuel economy in the process. Might as well trade top speed for top economy.

    Reply
  11. Did some calcs on this yeterday…..if geared correctly, this car should be capable of about 110 mph on flat ground. It’s only supposed to weight about 2200 lbs, but the weight/hp ratio is still pretty weak. As a city commuter vehicle where long steep hills are rare, it should be adequate. I don’t see this as being a very high-tech engine. 1.2L in a modern state of the art normally aspirated engine should be able to produce nearly 100 hp per liter. I expect this will be an entry level car sold at an entry level price. However, it will make the Sonic look that much better and I wouldn’t be surprised if people shopping in this price range move up to a Sonic after a back to back test drive.

    Reply
  12. Lorbeertlc; we can only dream… Right price fun to drive small car 100hp please…

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel