CHERVOLET

Chevrolet Changes the Mini-Car Rules

Chevrolet Philippines—The Covenant Car Company Incorporated (TCCCI) will be showcasing the company’s lineup for the local market at the 3^rd Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS). Comprising the Chevrolet cast will be the Camaro V8 retro-muscle car, Cruze compact sedan, 7-seat Captiva 4x4 diesel compact SUV, Aveo subcompact, 2010 Suburban large SUV and a fresh new face donning the Spark moniker. The new Spark previewing at the 3^rd PIMS should give the prospective market and competition alike a chance to size up the capable foot-soldier that Chevrolet will field in the realistic hopes of capturing that most coveted of automotive segments, the mini-passenger car class.

From the outside in the new Chevrolet Spark is a rolling statement that value, practicality and economy can now be in the same sentence as handsome, fun and stylish. Needless to mention are the required power amenities that are standard in almost all mini-cars of today (the Spark included) and the near-irrelevant window-dressing features that have seem to become the rally point of the segment’s petty rivalry. More important is to focus on what truly sets a new and formidable entrant in this highly-competitive, escalating battle, facts and features that will be more relevant to prospective owners in these value-conscious times.

First, abandoning the signature “cute” designs of most every other mini-car that came before it, the new Spark now dons a face, body and stance that aim (and successfully at that) to be more aggressive and edgy rather than perky and sweet. The single-arc roofline and strong, clean body devoid of tacky cladding completely departs from the muddled and patched-together look of other offerings in this segment. Also, the tucked rear door handles and almost imperceptible seam between front and rear doors give the illusion of a sporty three-door instead of a humdrum five-door hatch.

Inside, the Spark’s divergence from the mundane continues primarily in the motorcycle style meter cluster pod atop the steering column. It is comprised of a compact array of only essential gauges highlighted by an analog speedometer paced by a digital tachometer. The Spartan meter cluster harkens back to the days of nostalgic clubman motor sports fashion, instead of the clutter of today’s trend that seems to try to cram every trivial piece of instrumentation. Besides the digital tachometer, the classically evocative meter cluster has but one twist of modernity—an ice blue backlit face when the headlights are switched on. This tasteful backlight extends into the clean Integrated Center Stack, which incidentally incorporates audio, air conditioning, heating and ventilation controls in one focal location for easy reach and operation. Even the crystalline border of the climate control unit radiates the same ice blue when the exterior lights are activated.

Such creative ergonomics and comforts are applied everywhere. A spacious glove box, seatback pockets to house books, magazines or even laptop computers, door pockets with bottle holders large enough for 1.5-liter drink containers, auxiliary power outlets and a 170-liter cargo area with the rear seats UP all heighten the feeling of being accommodated in a much larger vehicle. But the new Spark’s space is not just an illusion. Front seat legroom, shoulder space and headroom are at 1067mm (42 inches), 1295mm (51 inches) and 1010mm (39.7 inches) respectively, while corresponding rear seat space is at 893mm (35 inches), 1255mm (49.4 inches) and 947mm (37.3 inches). Seats are even covered with an increased stitch-per-inch ratio to ensure that seating surfaces remain tight and free from premature sagging and stretching over time. Seat cushions are constructed of Durometer foam that bolster and evenly distribute a passenger’s weight for optimum comfort even on long trips.

Under the hood the new Spark will be initially powered by one of two gasoline engines, both of 4-cylinder, 16-valve and double overhead cam (DOHC) setup with multi-port fuel injection. The 1.0-liter version will be good for about 68-horsepower (hp) and will achieve 0-100 kilometers per hour (kph) times of around 15.5 seconds all the way to a top speed of 154 kph, while the 1.2-liter engine will run 81-hp and get a 12.1-second 0-100 time and a 164 kph top end. Under various test conditions both engines garnered an average of around 19 kilometer/liter. So the only choice to be made by prospective buyers is if they’re willing to spend a little premium to go from “lively” to “sporty”.