Currently, the Holden Barina Spark wears and shares much with the outgoing Chevrolet Spark subcompact hatch, but the next generation will align closely in appearance with the newly-introduced Opel Karl (Vauxhall Viva).
According to spy shots snapped by GoAuto, its evident the next Holden Spark will nearly be an Opel Karl with revised chassis dynamics tuned for Australian consumer tastes. The publication also reports the “Barina” prefix will be dropped from its title.
A 1.4-liter four-cylinder is said to grace the Spark under the bonnet, and power will be sent through General Motors’ first continuously variable transmission. The car will also continue to be sourced from South Korea. The Opel Karl incorporates a three-cylinder engine.
Holden has played a part in the design of the new Spark, with former Holden design director and current international design vice president Michal Simcoe ensuring Holden badging and style transfers over concurrently from cousin Opel.
The new Holden Spark is expected to debut as a 2016 model, with the brand saying the vehicle will “set the tone and the confidence in future GM products.”
The 2016 Chevrolet Spark debuted earlier this year, and is highly similar to the Opel Karl, but with a different front fascia and a 1.4L Ecotec engine.
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They should use the Viva name, as per Vauxhall. I guess having sold the Daewoo Lacetti as the Holden Viva quite recently rules this out...