The next-generation Chevrolet Spark, due out in 2015, has been spied wearing some heavy camouflage during cold weather testing. The end of the current Spark’s lifecycle is drawing closer, after being sold in some parts of the world since 2009.
The all-new minicar is pictured with a dramatic rearward sloping roofline and a high beltline. Also, it appears the rear door handles have been moved from behind the rear window back to a more conventional spot on the doors.
There is speculation that the 2015 Spark could ride on the same chassis as the rumored new small car from Opel, which is said to be a four-door, four-seater with a base price of around €10,000.
The new Spark is expected to arrive sometime in the first half of 2015, with its potential Opel platform mate arriving in late 2015 to early 2016.
Comments
Fugly!
GM V8s have had real world mpg, better than that of v6’s, going back as far as 1997. EPA economy is a joke. High torque I3’s are very possible but the need for a heavy harmonic balancer, to reduce low rpm vibration, could offset the advantages that could be achieved with an I4 of similar displacement.
Not necessarily. Take a look at Fiesta’s 1.0t I3 compared to the available 1.6L I4. Owners of the turbo 3 are achieving 46mpg while owners of the 1.6i are averaging 31mpg. Turbocharged 3 cylinders are perfect replacements for small 4 cylinders.
All next-generation small Ecotec engines are equipped with Variable Valve Timing, Spark Ignited Direct Injection, and Intake Variable Valve Lift. All next generation large Ecotec engines come with Variable Valve Timing, Spark Ignited Direct Injection, and Active Fuel Management. All boosted engines have Variable Torque Management which increases boost under heavy acceleration for better get-up-and-go and decreases boost whilst cruising for added efficiency. eAssist hybrids come with Regenerative Braking with On-Demand, Stop/Start, Active Grille Shutters, and ECO transmission/throttle mode.
EcotecS:
1.0t I3 – 120HP / 135-155FT-LBS
1.2t I3 – 150HP / 160-175FT-LBS
1.4t I4 – 185HP / 190-205FT-LBS
1.6t I4 – 230HP / 245-260FT-LBS
1.8t I4 -265HP / 280-295FT-LBS
2.0t I4 – 290HP / 310-320FT-LBS
2.8t V6 – 325HP / 340-355FT-LBS
3.0t V6 – 360HP / 370-380FT-LBS
3.6tt V6 – 445HP / 460-480FT-LBS
EcotecL:
4.3t V6 – 385HP / 390-405FT-LBS
5.3L V8 – 365HP / 400FT-LBS
6.2L V8 – 460HP/465FT-LBS
5.3t V8 – 530HP/535-550FT-LBS
6.2sc V8 – 650HP/650-670FT-LBS
6.2tt V8 – 710HP/725-740FT-LBS
DuraMax:
2.0tdi I4 – 170HP/285-300FT-LBS
2.5tdi I4 – 190HP/305-315FT-LBS
2.8tdi I4 – 225HP/350-365FT-LBS
3.2tdi V6 – 260HP/450FT-LBS
6.6tdi V8 – 430HP/800FT-LBS
With so much camo on it the car looks very similar to the current one other than the rear door handles, which location I never liked. Also the seemingly more sloping roofline which might just be the camo treatment giving an illusion to it, it looks pretty good to me. Although too small for my tastes, I really like these little cars. 🙂
I sure hope they make the headlights smaller relative to the rest of the car. The “alien-eyed” look has been my biggest complaint on the styling of the current car. Hopefully it will ride on a new, lighter platform as well.
Along with that slow NA 1.2L I4! Why not stick a 1.0t I3 (VVT, SIDI, IVVL, and VTM) that makes 120HP and 135-155LB-FT in there with Stop/Start and Active Grille Shutters? I’d estimate a combined number of around 45mpg.
What about the electric Spark?
Wow! Impressive! How can you see through all of its camo to judge what it looks like?! 😉
Yeah, what about the Electric Spark-pun intended.
What I’d really like to know is when the Spark EV will be sold nation-wide or whether it ever will be sold outside of its current markets of California and Oregon?
0 to 60 in 19 seconds,…….seriously? It gives a new meaning to merging onto a freeway. Also, how about adding a telescoping steering wheel? Otherwise , a nice package.