Detroit 2009: Chevy Spark playing to a familiar Beat [w/VIDEO]
by Frank Filipponio on Jan 11th 2009 at 11:58AM 
Click above for a high-res image gallery of the Chevy Beat/Spark unveiling
While details remain sparse, General Motors rolled out its three-door Beat Concept from the 2007 New York Auto Show, promising that a version of the car will be produced beginning in 2010 for foreign markets, and for the US in 2011. Oddly, unlike the three-door sub-Aveo – sized hatch that rolled on to this morning's main stage, the production Spark figures to be a five-door hatchback capable of delivering 40 miles-per-gallon in the city. Officials indicate that a production version of the Spark will roll out at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and AB readers have already seen development prototypes running around.
Interestingly, the leaked shot that we showed you yesterday clearly shows a five-door vehicle. Perhaps it will roll onto display stands later in the show, but for now, GM has chosen to parade the 2007 three-door showcar around. We'll do some poking around, but in the meantime, take a gander at the high-res gallery of shots below and click through to the jump for the press release.
Gallery: Detroit 2009: Chevy Spark, aka Beat
PRESS RELEASE:
Chevrolet Spark and Orlando Headed to the United States in 2011
DETROIT – An all-new Chevrolet Spark mini-car and Orlando seven-seat compact multi-purpose vehicle will come to the United States in 2011. The announcement was made during a General Motors press conference at the North American International Auto Show here today.
"Chevrolet Spark will bring great style, roominess and versatility to the segment of extremely fuel-efficient small cars in the U.S.," said Troy Clarke, president of GM North America. "The decision to add the Spark to Chevrolet's portfolio reflects the brand's commitment to being a fuel efficiency leader in the industry."
Originally seen as the Chevrolet Beat concept at the 2007 New York Auto Show, the four-door Chevrolet Spark will provide versatility with a fresh, youthful exterior and interior design that is reflected in the selection of materials and colors.
The Spark will make its world debut in full production form at the Geneva Auto Show in March 2009. Sales begin in Europe in the first quarter of 2010, followed by other markets around the globe.
"The Chevrolet Orlando show car, unveiled at the recent Paris Auto Show to positive public reaction, combines the versatility of a sport-utility, a family van and a wagon in a single vehicle," Clarke said. It has the added benefit of excellent fuel economy, because of its car-based architecture."
First photos and plans for the Chevrolet Orlando's global rollout will be released in the coming months. It will be in Chevrolet showrooms in the U.S. in 2011.
"These small vehicles make a big statement," said Ed Peper, North America vice president, Chevrolet. "With their fresh, clean approach, we believe Spark and Orlando will appeal to a wide range of customers who want excellent fuel efficiency, functionality and style in a small vehicle."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
SteveJ 12:06PM (1/11/2009)
Why does it have drilled discs?
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Farris 12:31PM (1/11/2009)
Unpsrung mass?
firstplace 12:54PM (1/11/2009)
yeah they couldn't afford springs... :-)
carlbolt 2:05PM (1/11/2009)
For heat radiation.
Falcom 5:08PM (1/13/2009)
show car
amastadon 12:24PM (1/11/2009)
So is this coming to the US??
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Torrent 4:48PM (1/11/2009)
If it's on the Chevy America Website, then yes:
http://www.chevrolet.com/2011spark/
xspeedy 12:19PM (1/11/2009)
Not bad, though I wish it had the hunkered down, filled in wheel wells of the Beat. One of those concept/production car variances I can't stop getting bugged about.
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Ligor 12:18PM (1/11/2009)
i don't like this one bit
but then i also don't like the scion boxes and fits and such
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Mazda FTW! 12:19PM (1/11/2009)
Wow thats pretty glitzy for a production sub-compact vehicle!!! But I wonder if buying a trim which looks like that will end up costing close to a mid-range Mazda3.
Either way, looks like a solid entrant. Hopefully they bring it to Canada.
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Judy Zik 5:04PM (1/11/2009)
They said it was coming to "North America" and Canadians tend to buy more small hatches so I think that is a given.
This vehicle looks quite promising. I like the looks of it as a 3 door. It will be interesting to see where they price it and how it compares to an Aveo.
PJ 1:59AM (1/12/2009)
Unfortunately, that's *not* the production version in the photos. The caption is right: the production version will be an as-yet-unseen five-door that'll be revealed in Geneva.
Check out the parts-bin Daewoo shifter in the photo car. That's a reminder that the Spark/Beat is going to be based on the Daewoo Matiz, sold in the U.K. as a Chevy. The current Matiz is a miserable little bastard of a car. Unless Daewoo's undergone a massive engineering renaissance since the last-gen Matiz was released, don't expect to be so envious of the production Beat when it hits showrooms.
Dave 12:26PM (1/11/2009)
Well, for all the asshats that complained how the four door was going to cramp their style, there you go.
Let's see what other complaints will come up now. There's always something for the unwashed masses to whine about. The over/under on complaints about the color is 4.
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jimmy glick 12:50PM (1/11/2009)
Count me as one of the asshats who complained about them changing the Beat to a 5-door. You may not have noticed but they're still showing the Beat concept and not the Spark. The production Spark will still be a 5-door, not what you see in the pictures. If they were going to make a 5-door, they should have put the Trax or Groove concepts into production instead.
Travis 2:45PM (1/11/2009)
Count me as another one of those asshats, and while I'm encouraged by this, I won't put down my deposit until I actually see what the final production car is. I showed it to my wife, and she said "Oh, that's cute, I'd totally drive that" before she knew the manufacturer (she's usually after the 3-door Yaris, the iQ, the Aygo, the xA, etc). I'd say that's a good thing for Chevy/GM right about now, but I'm disappointed that we're not going to get it until 2011 at the earliest. 5 door isn't a killer for me, but this is a commuter / city car. Why do you need 5 doors if nobody's ever going to use them?
Dave 5:31PM (1/11/2009)
Well, anyone that carries more than one person EVER may be able to take a person or two with you. Or three in a pinch. Of course you could do that with a 2-door. It just wouldn't be as easy.
MajorGeek 12:26PM (1/11/2009)
No.
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SPF 12:28PM (1/11/2009)
Wow, the production picture is sooo ugly. Why can't you stick with the concept, eff you Chevrolet!!!!
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ken_aisin 12:31PM (1/11/2009)
That's pretty good looking hatchback. Looks way better than the current Aveo, the boring Toyota Yaris, and the Nissan Versa.
A plug-in electric version would be even better.
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Conundrum 12:32PM (1/11/2009)
40MPG City???
In a non-hybrid???
Did I read that correctly???
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