The rumor Rumor has it that the next generation Opel/Vauxhall Agila minicar is being developed alongside the Chevrolet Spark, and will use its platform. In addition, British magazine Autoexpress spoke with a Vauxhall representative who claims the next-generation Agila, which is currently undergoing winter testing in northern Sweden, will start at £7,000 (approximately $11,600), undercutting such competitors as the Skoda Citigo.
Currently based on a Suzuki platform used in Japan’s kei car market, the next Agila should have a 1.oL naturally-aspirated three-cylinder engine with about 70 horsepower and technologies like auto start-stop to exploit miserly fuel consumption. This motor will be based on the current 1.0-liter SIDI Turbo that is currently available in the Opel/Vauxhall ADAM city car. That’s not to suggest that the ADAM and the next Agila will compete against each other, as the ADAM is more of a lifestyle vehicle while the Agila is a thrifty and more practical runabout.
According to reports, the upcoming Opel/Vauxhall Corsa should be revealed sometime in 2014, while the Spark/Agila reveal will follow a year later.
Comments
Vauxhall will be covering £7,000 to £55,000 price range, wonder if the new small car will be called Viva.
Lets just hope that it’s chassis is being developed by Vauxhall / Opel and not GM Korea. There will need to be a significant price difference to the Adam & Corsa, at the moment the Agila is too close to the Corsa in terms of price and target market.
Say what you will, but GM as a global organization can engineer great chassis, frequently without involving its European operations.
Examples:
Chevrolet Sonic/new Aveo
Chevrolet Cruze (significant changes over the Astra, especially in the rear suspension)
Chevrolet Equinox/Captiva/Captiva Sport/Opel Antara
Chevrolet Impala/Buick LaCrosse/Cadillac XTS (quite different than Malibu/Regal/Insignia, especially with HiperStrut)
Chevrolet SS/Holden Commodore
Chevrolet Traverse/Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia
Chevrolet Trax/Buick Encore
Cadillac ATS
Cadillac CTS
Chevrolet Corvette
Magnetic Ride Control (purely U.S.-developed)
So while GM Europe can do good stuff, let’s not erroneously assume that GM Korea can’t, or that the only regional organization within GM that can create a great chassis is GM Europe/Opel. As we can see, GM as a global entity can create some great products, whether they are home-roomed in Korea, U.S., Australia, or Europe. And as of late, GM Korea has a great track record as well.
Examples:
Chevrolet Sonic/new Aveo = Outclassed by European competition
Chevrolet Cruze (significant changes over the Astra, especially in the rear suspension) = Doesn’t even come close to the Vauxhall / Opel Astra J
Chevrolet Equinox/Captiva/Captiva Sport/Opel Antara = Absolute junk
Chevrolet Impala/Buick LaCrosse/Cadillac XTS (quite different than Malibu/Regal/Insignia, especially with HiperStrut) = Excellent
Chevrolet SS/Holden Commodore = Excellent
Chevrolet Traverse/Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia = Good
Chevrolet Trax/Buick Encore = Suspension re engineered by Opel and then again by Vauxhall for the UK because it was not up to scratch 2 weeks after it’s UK launch
Cadillac ATS = Brilliant
Cadillac CTS = Brilliant
Chevrolet Corvette = Brilliant
Magnetic Ride Control (purely U.S.-developed) = Very good
So yes GM can develop some world class chassis platforms, but GM Korea’s record is certainly not in the same league as the US, Europe & Oz
I like the sound of this. The 2014 Spark with the CVT is a nightmare! The interior is nice for its class, but that is all it has to offer. I hope it is powered by:
-1.0L Turbo I3 (Hybrid Optional/VVT, SIDI, and iVVL) that has 120HP and 135FT-LBS
-1.6L Turbo I4 (VVT, SIDI, and iVVL) that has 215HP and 230FT-LBS
-2.0L TDI I4 that has 165HP and 280FT-LBS
The Spark EV is much better than any of the gas powered versions. Take a test ride in one with over 400 foot-pounds of torque!
Build quality, fit & finish of instruments is also a must.