Daily Auto News 2011 Chevy Spark — GM Enters the Teeny Car Race
Daily Auto News
Chevrolet will enter the subcompact smackdown at last, challenging the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and upcoming Ford Fiesta with something a bit more appealing than the bargain-basement Aveo..
“Set for a world debut at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show,” according to Edmunds Inside Line, the 2011 Chevy Spark “is expected to make its way to the U.S. after its European debut early next year. It’s a tiny car by American standards, some 18-inches shorter than a Honda Fit.”
Outside, the car is a virtual twin to the Chevy Beat concept that has been making the rounds of the auto circuit for a year. Autoblog reports, “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 the car, “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.”
We call it cheap to manufacture for both right- and left-hand drive markets.
Kicking Tires reports, “At 143 inches long, the four-door Spark is shorter than a two-door Toyota Yaris. The company says it will feature standard safety features like stability control and side curtain airbags.”
Motor Trend says the car will feature “either a 1.0-liter or 1.2-liter gasoline four-banger” when it debuts in Europe next year, but rumors say a 1.4-liter engine will be found “under its tiny hood” when it comes to America one year later.
Research the best car deals with U.S. News’ car rankings and reviews.
Related with this news Japan Auto Store's other car news
