Geneva Preview: 2010 Chevy Spark finally, fully revealed
by Alex Nunez on Feb 10th 2009 at 9:33AM 
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the 2010 Chevy Spark
The Chevy Spark was leaked on the eve of the Detroit Auto Show, but it was MIA during the next day's GM press conference "car parade." In its stead, we saw the Beat concept once again as GM announced that the Spark would indeed go into production next year. The mystery of why the actual Spark didn't appear in Motown was solved by our friends at Kicking Tires, and today GM has fully revealed the car ahead of its debut next month in Geneva.
As you can see, the production Spark retains most of its Beat cues, right down to that tree-frog-green color, but adds a second set of passenger doors. In a bid to try and keep the original's 3-door look, the rear handles are hidden up in the window blackout trim. This is better executed here than it is, say, on the Jeep Compass, but it's still obviously a 5-door. Inside, you'll find a simplified take on the Chevy brand's current cockpit design, dressed up with body-colored door trim panels and seats that feature contrast stitching and a color-accented fabric pattern. The Instrument cluster is mounted directly to the steering column. GM calls it motorcycle-inspired, but more importantly, it would appear to let the General easily reconfigure the setup for right-hand drive markets. The Spark will launch in Europe early next year with 1.0L and 1.2L DOHC gas engines, and though nothing's been said, we'd imagine that a diesel will have to make it into the mix soon thereafter. Sales in other markets will follow, including the U.S. in 2011, as previously announced in Detroit. We'll have in-person feedback on the Spark for you next month from Geneva. In the meantime, follow the jump for a design overview video and GM's complete press release.
Gallery: 2010 Chevy Spark
[Source: GM]
PRESS RELEASE:
Chevrolet Spark: World Premiere at Geneva Auto Show
Fun and fashion add sizzle to mini-car segment
Youthful interior with motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster
Fuel-efficient 1.0-liter and 1.2-liter 4-cylinder DOHC engines
All-new mini-car with maximum attitude
The all-new Chevrolet Spark, making its world premiere at the Geneva auto show in March, is a small car designed to make a big statement. It's big on style, big on fuel economy and, like all products carrying the Chevrolet gold bowtie, big on refinement and value.
Its design breaks the mold for mini-cars and takes Chevrolet's signature styling elements to this vehicle segment in a youthful, fun and fashion-conscious way.
Spark was inspired by the Chevrolet Beat concept, the most popular of a trio of mini-car concepts that has toured international auto shows since 2007. A clear majority among 1.9 million internet voters said it was the car they wanted produced.
Exterior
The crisp lines of the five-door hatchback provide a wedge-like profile. Below Chevrolet's hallmark two-tier grille and headlamps that resemble diamond cut lines, the shape of the fog lamp housings and the "floating" lower air intake extend the sense of forward movement. Strong wheel arches accommodate up to 15-inch wheels to give the car a dynamic, ready-to-go stance.
The rear door handles are integrated into the upper part of the door to preserve the clean lines of rear quarter panel and wheel arches. In the rear, an integrated tailgate spoiler and Chevrolet's round tail lights add to Spark's appeal.
With an overall length of 3,640 mm and a generous 2,375 mm wheelbase, Spark offers a spacious cabin with outstanding leg and hip room in the front and rear.
Interior
The design of Spark's spacious cabin clearly matches its fun and fashion exterior look and functionality. A unique feature is the motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster. Mounted on the steering column, it provides easy- to- read information to the driver utilizing a combination of analog and digital displays.
With fresh colors and fabrics, exterior color schemes continue inside to Chevrolet's signature 'dual cockpit' layout and the door panels. Textured inserts flow from the instrument panel to each side of the cabin into the doors, adding another eye-catching element to the interior.
Spark also boasts a high level of interior acoustic refinements typical of larger vehicles.
Engines and safety
Sales will start in Europe featuring 1.0 and 1.2-liter 16-valve four-cylinder double overhead camshaft gasoline engines, delivering excellent fuel efficiency and low emissions.
Depending on global markets, safety equipment includes driver and passenger front air bags, front side airbags, roof rail head curtain airbags, antilock brakes and electronic stability control. Other safety features include pre-tensioners for front seat belts and three-point belts in the rear. Spark has been developed and is expected to achieve high crash test ratings.
Europe leads start of sales
Spark will be available in European dealerships early 2010, followed by other global regions. Spark is the newest in a series of all-new, globally developed Chevrolet vehicles that are defined by expressive design, refinement and value.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Dude 9:44AM (2/10/2009)
Four doors = FAIL!
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Rick 10:08AM (2/10/2009)
Some people on the planet DO HAVE families and need four doors.
BoxerFanatic 10:19AM (2/10/2009)
If you have the need for a family car, and this sardine can is your choice... I have to wonder about that, as well.
Honestly, buy a regular car if you need 4 doors. Even just a Cobalt, or something.
This thing looks atrocious, and I don't even want to think about the safety implications for 4 people shoved into that little thing. Even Miatas have more structure than that.
Dude 10:55AM (2/10/2009)
People with families are not going to be looking at this car. Where do you put the stroller? It has no storage without the rear seats folded down.
Besides, it's hard enough to squeeze a baby seat into the back of a Mazda3. Really doubt the Spark is going to make the cut.
jpm100 11:34AM (2/10/2009)
I don't think people appreciate where the Fuel Economy standards that were enacted a few years ago are taking us. That's not mentioning the way they've been accelerated since then.
There will be family vehicles in this class.
If you don't like it, call your congress person.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:40AM (2/10/2009)
Safety implications of 4 people in this? Oh, here we go again, it's the same crowd who thought rollover-prone SUVs were safer because they were bigger!
And besides, it's not like it wasn't a 4-seater before, it gained two more doors, not two more seats.
If you lived in California, land of "compact" parking spots (because they don't have space for full-sized ones), you'd be glad to have 4 doors. Even if you never open the rears, the fact that the front ones are shorter means it's easier to get in and out of.
Torrent 12:45PM (2/10/2009)
I originally tried to see what it looked like when it was, but got carried away...
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff22/Hakem1125/ChevySpark.jpg
geo.stewart 10:40AM (2/11/2009)
I would agree that the 3-door has the better profile, but FAIL? mehhhh
Probably would have cost more but ideal compromise probably would have been 1/2 suicide doors ala saturn SL2s full size (for a subcompact anyway) coupe doors with the 1/2 suicide doors.
2o6 9:46AM (2/10/2009)
I'm lovin' it. It looks great. I would so own one of those, since trendy subcompacts like the 1st gen xB have gotten really big. The Kia SOUL is nice, but still too big and too thirsty.
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Alex 9:46AM (2/10/2009)
looks like a tarted up Honda Fit.
Ford Fiesta FTW.
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Dazza 11:13AM (2/10/2009)
The Spark is a-segment - it competes with the Ford Ka, not the larger B-segment Fiesta.
Tim 10:07AM (2/10/2009)
Alex in General Car Knowledge = FAIL
friko 10:27AM (2/10/2009)
@Dazza
I don't think so.
I live in a country where Kas are available and believe me, there's no way a car in the Ka's segment can have an extra pair of doors. The Spark looks more like Hyundai's Atos ( http://www.hyundai-rama.com.ar/atos.html ) size, that by itself is nearer in size to the Fiesta than to the Ka.
Robert O 9:46AM (2/10/2009)
This is a great looking little car. The sooner it gets to market (in the US), the better all of us, and GM, will be!
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Jimbo 9:48AM (2/10/2009)
It looks ok and I hope it sells well. But to me, it has way too many sharp lines.
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Hamud 9:51AM (2/10/2009)
And the headlight reached the windshield...
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JayP 10:02AM (2/10/2009)
I thought the French would win that race.
notYou 10:50AM (2/10/2009)
You're right.
The face looks like a bad bit of plastic surgery, y'know where _everything_ is pulled too tight?
Unfortunately, in today's media focused world, the "plastic surgery look" has developed on it's own unabashed and unashamed appeal to the point of being considered "normal". This car's face falls into that category...
I suppose there will be a point where every angle, feature, and design aspect will be stretched to cartoonish proportions and "more aggressive" just won't be possible, but we're not there yet... yet.
CH 10:38AM (2/10/2009)
Not yet, not yet...
but yeah I was thinking also that the french would be the first to replace the front bumper and hood with one giant headlight.
Judy Zik 11:33AM (2/10/2009)
No kidding. What is with the Kabuki mask look? Imagine what it will cost to replace one of those headlights. Plus headlights tend to be made of soft plastics that don't age well.
I do like the interior though. Have to see it in person but it looks like it is nicely detailed for a car in this class. 4 doors will come in handy for students carrying their friends which is likely the target market.