Finally making its official North American-specification production this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2013 Chevrolet Spark will slot in as the bowtie brand’s smallest offering in its home market.
Spark will do battle with other minicars like the Fiat 500, Smart ForTwo and Scion iQ , but it features a five-door configuration more along the lines of larger cars like the Chevrolet Sonic and Toyota Yaris. Still, Spark is more than a foot shorter than Sonic, even if it does stretch about three feet longer than the diminutive ForTwo.
Despite its compact dimensions, Chevrolet says that its smallest car will be feature-packed, with optional upgrades like a MyLink infotainment system, OnStar, 10 airbags and more.
Complete package
Spark features a 85-horsepower 1.2-liter dual overhead cam four-cylinder engine equipped with variable valve timing and either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. Although that’s not much power, it’s about par for the class. Chevrolet hasn’t listed the Spark’s curb weight in North American trim, although it weighs in at under 2,000 lbs. in most overseas markets. GM has not released fuel economy figures.
Underneath, Spark features a MacPherson strut front suspension, standard ABS and stability control, electric power steering and vented front/rear drum brakes.
Like the larger Sonic and Cruze, Chevrolet says that Sparks will come from the factory with 10 airbags, including front knee airbags, side seat airbags and side curtain airbags.
Mirroring the recently-released Sonic’s high level of standard specification, all Sparks will be equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels and OnStar. 1LT and 2LT models will feature a standard MyLink infotainment that uses a seven-inch color screen and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity to essentially connect smart phones to the audio and video system. At a stop, drivers can project video and personal photo albums on the screen, and they can use both Pandora and Stitcher internet radio and navigation while on the go.
Higher trim Sparks will offer SiriusXM, while the range-topping 2LT will come with heated leatherette seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
