Detroit Preview: 2010 Chevy Spark beats a path to the web
by Alex Nunez on Jan 10th 2009 at 7:44PM 
As the hours wind down before the 2009 Detroit Auto Show finally kicks off in the morning, more vehicles are leaking through the manufacturers' embargo nets. The latest addition to the list is the 2010 Chevy Spark, teased earlier this week on Today by GM design honcho Ed Welburn. Spark is the production version of the Chevy Beat concept that made its debut alongside the Trax and Groove at New York two years ago. Beat was the winner of a public poll to see which of the three microcar concepts would make it to production. We also know that Beat/Spark's going to get some time in the limelight as a character in this summer's Transformers sequel.
The itsy-bitsy new "world car" has grown a second set of doors in production trim, but otherwise, its styling remains remarkably true to the Beat show car. Roof rails hint at real-world practicality, and the fact that GM is choosing Detroit to unveil it suggests that maybe, just maybe, we'll see it here after all. We'll know more as the show gets officially underway, but we can say one thing: it's more interesting than the car it's presumably set to replace in other markets. We'll have plenty more when we see it up close.
[Source: WCF via CarSpyShots]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
ColePL 8:13PM (1/10/2009)
I'll take my fiesta thank you
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triple a 3:51AM (1/11/2009)
this is becoming another Aztek scenario
Jason 1:52PM (1/11/2009)
The problem with most who are critical of this car is that it doesn't have the Toyota or Honda name on it. Although, no matter how ugly Toyota and Honda cars are, it's always okay.
Mazda FTW! 8:14PM (1/10/2009)
I wanna get on-board the 'BRING IT HERE' bandwagon that's about to populate this comment section however with the Cruze (spl?), Aveo and Vibe (different brand but same car company), I don't see the need for it. Unless they ditch the Aveo (which they should) and/or close down Pontiac (which they might).
Easy on the flaming and 'it's not the same segment' replies. I'm just casually commenting. Most consumers are casual and don't really compare apples to apples anyway.
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geo.stewart 8:19PM (1/10/2009)
not sure if this is same size as Aveo and Fiesta, or smaller. Fiesta may well be the benchmark for their segment with the exterior design and interior materials.
I'll give GM kudos for being faithful to the concept, as they have with their last several cars. If they keep the interior competitive as they have with the Malibu, it will be a winner in the markets they sell. Hopefully they had an eye to the US if gas skyrockets again.
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hypermiler 10:17PM (1/10/2009)
Beat is about 3 inches narrower and an inch shorter than a Mini.
Dazza 11:43PM (1/10/2009)
This is A-segment - it competes with the Toyota Aygo, Ford Ka, et al.
Conundrum 8:30PM (1/10/2009)
The lines are somewhat sporty for an econo-car. Maybe a little nicer without the horizontal bar in the grille. Careful you don't crack a headlamp cover... those things are huge and must cost a fortune to replace!
The biggie for this car is economy. What sort of fuel economy can we expect and how much will it set you back? This car really needs to be on par with the competition this time. Current models compared below:
Aveo 27/34
Mini 28/37
Fit 28/35
Yaris 29/36
Cobalt XFE 25/37
Civic 26/34
Corolla 27/35
Focus 24/35
accent 27/33
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Pokey 8:46PM (1/10/2009)
The headlight assembly doesn't look much bigger than the ones on the Fit.
Jonathan 8:34PM (1/10/2009)
Between the Malibu this and the Cruze, Chevy's car game will be very good. Key words being "will be", as the Cobalt and Aveo aren't anything to write home about.
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RockStoneSteel 10:05PM (1/10/2009)
Chevy already screwed this up before even committing to production. As a tall person (6'2"), I actually fit into most small cars fairly well. However, the show stopper is when they put four dainty little doors on these things. That makes it very difficult to get in and out with tiny doors (and no, I'm not fat). I would much rather have two large manly size doors like on the concept. Plus, if I'm buying a car in this size category, IT'S DEFINITELY NOT FOR HAULING MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE. I would want this as an economical work commuter and grocery getter, NOT a family hauler. Also, the B pillar is pushed so far forward that it takes up shoulder room and blocks the side view. So the second set of doors actually detracts from the vehicle. ...not to mention the two door looks a bit more proportional and streamlined.
So GM needs to get a clue and go with the original design.
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hypermiler 10:09PM (1/10/2009)
Don't blame GM/Daewoo. Beat is a kei car designed around Korean auto regulations. While slightly larger than Japanese kei class, Korean kei cars are still tiny. You were not in Daewoo engineers' mind when they designed Beat.
James Mooney 8:53PM (1/10/2009)
I prefer the Trax.
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GOT 2:18AM (1/11/2009)
I liked the Trax better too.
This "Spark" will rock!!! I think it looks great! If GM can build it and make it reliable, fun, economical and with relatively good performance (with a 2.0L option), it'll be a blockbuster. I'd buy one simply because it's cool.
GOT 2:22AM (1/11/2009)
...the wheels/tires look way too small though.
spots 8:54PM (1/10/2009)
If the price is right and the mpg is there, so am I- but why did they add the two extra doors? I don't want- or need- a 5 door hatch; a 3 door hatch would be much better for my uses.
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hypermiler 10:02PM (1/10/2009)
Coupes make up 5% of typical sales, 4-door was a must.
Jay Cannaday 10:05PM (1/10/2009)
Sure, no reason to NOT have 4 or 5 door variants, but I want a 3 door. Simple as that. I have no use for the two extra doors; don't want them- they make the front doors too small for easy ingress/egress on a car as small as this one is. I have arthritis in my hips and knees, and a larger door opening makes it easier for me. Plus, 4 door cars are for old people- and I'm not THAT old.
Kevin White 10:11PM (1/10/2009)
I agree, I don't need or want extra doors. Why do they feel the need to "family-ize" it? There are a multitude of four door vehicles. This is a personal commuter vehicle, two doors (or three) would be much more appropriate. The desirability of this just went down quite a bit.
hypermiler 10:23PM (1/10/2009)
@Kevin White
> I agree, I don't need or want extra doors. Why do they feel the need to "family-ize" it?
Because of cost. Beat is not a Halo car, it is a low-margin econobox that must be sold in millions to turn a profit. Daewoo could not justify the extra-cost of having the 2 door model in addition to 4 door, so they stuck with 4 door.