2014 Chevrolet Spark EV makes first appearance in LA

Michael Harley — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Electric

While we still haven't learned how far it goes on a charge, Chevrolet offered the media a very close look at its upcoming 2014 Spark EV at an event the evening before the LA Auto Show rang its opening bell. Not only did we have a chance to look at the $32,500 ($25,000 after tax incentives) five-door urban mini car in its production-ready state, but the automaker brought a second Spark EV opened up like a sardine can so we could view its technical innards.

As we mentioned yesterday when the Spark EV was unveiled, the five-passenger pure-electric is fitted with a 20-plus kilowatt-hour battery pack driving the front wheels. Thanks to its 110 kW (130 horsepower) electric motor generating a whopping 400 pound-feet of torque, it scoots to 60 mph in less than eight seconds. Even better, Chevy is promising it will offer "among the best EV battery range in its segment" and the capability to accept SAE Combo DC Fast Charging (this means it is able to reach 80-percent battery charge in just 20 minutes).

Check out our live photo gallery to get a closer look at its mechanical layout and the location of its 560-pound battery pack.

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2014 Chevrolet Spark EV makes first appearance in LA originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Spark EV unveiled, priced under $25K with tax incentives

Domenick Yoney — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:44:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Chevrolet, Electric

The last veil has been lifted from the 2014 Chevy Spark EV, allowing us to finally view the Korean import in all its aero-optimized glory. While we aren't much surprised by its appearance - the prototype in our First Drive wore only the thinnest of camo disguises - we were a bit taken aback by the announced pricing.

Customers will need to scrounge up almost $25,000 to park GM's first purchasable (you could only lease its predecessor, the EV1) all-electric automobile in their driveways. That's just under $32,500 for those who don't qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Or, to put it another way, almost double the base price of the gasoline-powered version after the federal incentive.

In the context of other available electrics, that puts it well below the after-incentive $32,495 for the Ford Focus EV, but substantially higher than the $21,625 needed to bring home a Mitsubishi i. More importantly, it puts it dangerously close to the Nissan Leaf's current post-credit $27,700 pricetag, and perhaps even above the cost of the 2013 American-built model.

Luckily, GM isn't betting the farm with the Spark EV. With its US rollout expanded only slightly from California to include Oregon, the peppy little hatch should find enough buyers to suit its compliance purposes. And, like its plug-in Chevy Volt sister, the Spark shouldn't be seen as a means to an end in itself, but rather a starting point towards further electrification options for future models.

To get all the details - except, oddly enough, the estimated range expected from its 20-plus kilowatt-hour battery pack - check out the official press release below.

Continue reading Chevy Spark EV unveiled, priced under $25K with tax incentives

Chevy Spark EV unveiled, priced under $25K with tax incentives originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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