Chevrolet Spark shrinks the subcompact
By JASON K. ANG
Small is suddenly beautiful again. After the supremacy of V8-powered behemoths in the early 2000s, skyrocketing fuel costs have prompted even luxury automakers to offer alternatives such as diesel power. One of the best solutions, as the popular ad suggested, is to think small.
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| Chevrolet Spark | | Carrying five people in comfort, with a whiff of driving pleasure thrown in, can be accomplished by an intelligently designed subcompact car, as entries from Honda and Toyota have proven. Chevrolet’s entry into the market squeezes into an even smaller parking space: the Chevrolet Spark. The Spark is a new model manufactured by GM Daewoo in South Korea.
The Spark’s 3495 mm length can almost slot in the wheelbase of the Suburban LT, Chevrolet’s largest SUV. Width is a narrow 1495 mm. As we climbed into our radioactive orange test car, we felt like Mr. Bean as onlookers gawked.
Thankfully, no comedy ensues, as the car seems to be decently engineered, with good assembly quality. Front seat space is just enough, with the door panels and center console inches from your knees. The two adults in front will also be rubbing elbows particularly during gearshifts. The rear seat is adequate for two; the middle seatbelt is a bit of wishful thinking. Three adults can sit in the back but only in overlapping, sardine style.
Interior appointments are, to put it kindly, sparse. Power steering and power front windows are provided, but the rear windows are crank type, and the door locks, inconveniently, manually operated. The side mirrors are also manually operated, but the stick is easy to reach given the Spark’s narrow width.
Luggage space is at a premium, and there’s not enough room in the hatchback’s compartment to stuff airport-size luggage.
The rear seat can be folded to increase cargo capacity in a 70-30 split, at the expense of passenger space.
Cost control was most evident in the interior. Plastics are hard and shiny, and plenty of screws and latches are in plain sight. The instrument panel’s lighting reminded us of our 1980s Taxan computer monitor. Entertainment is limited to an FM-AM-cassette player.
The large, airy feel of modern hatchbacks is sadly lacking in the Spark, as the roofline has not been pushed up to create a feeling of space. Seating position is also relatively low. Not being able to see over other cars contributes to claustrophobia during rush hour, when buses and other cars are literally just a couple of meters away.
Thankfully, there’s enough acceleration to propel your way through traffic. With only 795 kg of curb weight to propel, the Spark’s SOHC 1.0-liter eight-valve inline-4 provides sufficient acceleration. The engine cranks out 65 hp and 91 Nm. It’s reasonably smooth and quiet.
In the correct gear, the Spark accelerates even with five people on board. The gearing is quite short, so it maximizes its meager torque. Travel at 100 km/h in top gear and the engine will be winding at more than 3000 rpm.
You have to keep your eye on the tachometer, though — there’s no acceleration below 2000 rpm. Uphill slopes need a prompt downshift, or you will soon find yourself slowing inexorably down. The gear lever is always within easy reach, and the shift action is smooth. The clutch is also easy to modulate.
Another pleasant surprise was the supple ride. Despite the car’s minuscule dimensions, bumps and potholes are absorbed without much fuss. This is due to a very soft suspension setting. The downside to this is heavy tilting during cornering. Factor in the narrow tires, and cornering limits are quite modest.
The Spark model available in Europe, which is equipped with dual airbags and seatbelt pretensioners, was awarded two stars out of five in its Euro-NCAP crash test. Newer models usually earn four or five stars.
The only reason for getting an economy car is of course to save money, and with the Spark you also benefit at the fuel pump. After a weekend of harsh testing, choking city traffic and acceleration runs for the Car of the Year program, the Spark still managed a respectable 16 kilometers/liter.
One factor here was having to regularly wind the engine to 4000 rpm for sufficient acceleration. The mileage sounds like a reasonable improvement over bigger subcompacts, but unless you drive thousands of kilometers per month, the savings in absolute peso terms won’t be significant.
The Spark suffices for basic transportation but it won’t put a grin on your face after a spirited drive. Any smiles will have to come when you look at your remaining bank balance.
Chevrolet Spark
Type: Front-engine, front-wheel drive 5-door hatchback
Engine: 1.0 liter SOHC inline-4 (65 hp/91 Nm)
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Dimensions (l x w x h): 3495 mm x 1495 mm x 1500 mm
Front suspension: MacPherson struts
Rear suspension: Torsion beam
Brakes: Steel discs front, drums rear
Safety: Seatbelts, driver’s seatbelt reminder
Wheels and tires: 13-inch steel wheels, 155/65R-13
Seating capacity: 5
Weight: 795 kg
Fuel efficiency: 16 km/liter
Price: P490,000
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