Autoblog

Spy Shots: Chevy Spark spotted as Daewoo Matiz

Chris Paukert — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Hatchback, GM, South Korea, Daewoo

Daewoo Matiz spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

The folks at Noticias Automotivas have scored shots of what looks to be the next-generation Daewoo Matiz, the subcompact hatch that we know better as the Chevrolet Spark.

The budget runabout is clearly very similar to General Motors' 2007 Beat concept and is in fact bang-on the Bowtie-badged production-intent model we saw displayed at this year's Geneva Motor Show, albeit with a Daewoo-specific upper and lower grilles, less stylized fog lamps and discount looking wheels.

Inside, the motorcycle-like gauge binnacle appears to have to have made the transition to production as expected, although as we were not permitted to touch the Geneva car, we can't tell if it's a tilt/telescope assembly.

Check out the gallery of images below.

Gallery: Daewoo Matiz spy shots

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Chevy Spark

[Source: Noticias Automotivas]

Spy Shots: Chevy Spark spotted as Daewoo Matiz originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autogas Chevrolet Matiz Concept = LPG for the masses

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Tuners, Budget, Hybrid, Europe, Green, Hatchback, Chevrolet

Click above for a high-res gallery of the fahgmitgas Matiz LPG Concept

Thanks to a company called fahrmitgas ("go with gas", get it?), our European readers will soon be able to cut their fuel costs to the low, low price of €3 (about $4.20 USD) for every 100 km of driving. Of course, they'll need need to be driving a converted Chevrolet (nee, Daewoo) Matiz converted to LPG, but on the other hand... that's just €3 to go 100 kilometers.

The fahrmitgas Matiz LPG Concept has been put through a suite of bench-tested enhancements in order to be so frugal. Since fahrmitgas is a supplier to Chevrolet, it has intimate knowledge of the Matiz's systems. After installation of the LPG unit and some engine tuning for mid-range power, the company added stop/start, lowered the car a whopping 30 mm, and fitted it with ultra low rolling resistance Hankook Optima 4S tires. A shift light on the center console helps the driver get the most of from his or her LPG.

A liter of gas in Germany is about €1 (@ $1.40 USD), meaning 3 liters/100 km for the LPG Matiz, instead of 5.2 liters/100 km for the petrol Matiz. fahmitgas is looking at a production run, but no timetable or prices have been announced. In the meantime, check out the press release after the jump and the high-res gallery of photos below.

Gallery: Fahrmitgas Matiz LPG Concept

[Source: Fahrmitgas]

Continue reading Autogas Chevrolet Matiz Concept = LPG for the masses

Autogas Chevrolet Matiz Concept = LPG for the masses originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Chevy Beat caught testing in China

Dan Roth — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, China, Chevrolet, GM

We saw the Chevy Beat concept unveiled a year ago, and now a camouflaged mule has been caught testing in China, fueling speculation that the Beat will succeed the Spark in that market. The Beat is certainly far less dowdy than the Spark, which is also sold, sometimes gratuitously, as the Matiz in other markets. When the Beat debuted as one in a trio of concepts, it was the sportiest of the three and described as a "tuner car" offering substantial levels of customization at the retail level, much like a Scion. That rhetoric may not be for world-wide consumption, however, and the Beat could wind up looking sharp on the outside and offering you roll-your-own windows and milk jug-quality plastics in the cabin. Of course, GM could pull a Ford and deliver a deliciously stylish small car everywhere but the United States, just as our fuel costs skyrocket ever further. Thanks for the tip, Kevin!

[Source: China Car Times]

Spy Shots: Chevy Beat caught testing in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: There's a Chevy Matiz in this ad, somewhere (NSFW)

Noah Joseph — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet

Click above to view video

You may not want to watch this at the office if you work in a puritanical professional environment, but we swear there's a car in this commercial somewhere. We just don't seem to notice it, no matter how many times we watch the video. (Believe us, we've tried.)

The commercial airs on Greek television supposedly to advertise the newly redesigned Chevrolet Matiz. The first-generation Matiz started life as a Daewoo, the Korean carmaker that General Motors took over and now uses its cars across Europe with Chevrolet badges. The original design was penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign as the Lucciola, originally proposed to Fiat for a new Cinquecento. (We're glad Fiat passed.) The ad, as you can see for yourself in the video after the jump, relies heavily on the old adage "sex sells". But while the commercial certainly makes us want something, like the Nissan ad of which it reminds us, we're not sure it's a car.

[Source: Carscoop]

Continue reading VIDEO: There's a Chevy Matiz in this ad, somewhere (NSFW)

VIDEO: There's a Chevy Matiz in this ad, somewhere (NSFW) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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