Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS Review: Chevy's Big-Little Movie Star
For a small 1.0-litre car, the new Chevrolet Spark has had mega-sized launch campaign that includes a worldwide internet voting campaign, a major part in the movie "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen", and star-billing at all the major international motorshows in the United States, Europe, India and China. This much-hyped little car has now arrived in Singapore, and Oneshift.com drives one of only two Sparks on the island.
It is as a stylish city-car that the Spark really excels. Its movie-star good looks attracts attention for all the right reasons, and like all well-designed small cars, actually looks bigger than it actually is. Stepping into the cabin is equally impressive, as the Spark is impressively space-efficient. Headroom and legroom are generous for the driver and front passenger, and the low waist line and steeply raked windscreen provide wide expanses of glass and good views out.
The front seats are also impressively dimensioned, and are more comfortable than those normally found in small sub-1.0-litre cars - more reason to believe the Spark is being prepared for sale in North America.
The Spark's dramatically rising waistline means that the glass area at the back is less generous in the rear compartment, and plus the fact that the ‘hidden' door handles actually fills the area that would otherwise have a little window. Even so, the rear seats are comfortable and not cramped, and visibility is still good.
With just over a ton to haul around, the car's 68bhp engine has its work cut out for it. This strain is not so obvious at city speeds, and with its compact dimensions, accurate steering and impressively tight turning radius, the Spark really comes into its own in as a City Shuttle.
In summary, given the high COE prices and preference for larger cars, Chevrolet, like Nissan, are taking a risk to launch their entry-level models at this time. As a stylish city run-a-bout, the Spark is hard to beat (no pun intended) - it looks much more dramatic and impressive than any of its rivals. It definitely has a youthful and bright futuristic disposition, it's a pity then that it comes only with a power sapping auto box - the option of a 5-speed manual gearbox will do much to enhance its youthful appeal.
Credits: Story and Photos by Justin Lee
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