New York 2015: Chevrolet Spark Revealed

by Derek Kreindler

April 2nd, 2015 8:22 AM

What does a 16 percent boost in power bring for the Chevrolet Spark? Erm…not too much.

The newest Spark, based on the Opel Karl, now packs a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder making 98 horsepower. A 5-speed manual or CVT are available. The spark is expected to return 40 mpg while also offering advanced features like a 7-inch touch screen, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Side Blind Spot Alert.

#Chevrolet #ChevroletSpark #NewYork2015

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14 of 24 comments

Geozinger on Apr 02, 2015

I don't get all of the hate for this car. It's a city car in terms of size and capacity. It would make a great runabout as a economical third car or a good car for kids just starting out. As we become empty nesters, I could see one of these for me to haul my decrepit ass around in...

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- Corey Lewis on Apr 02, 2015
  
  You are old and crotchety, you deserve something comfortable and nice in your old age. Get yourself a nice CRV or an Avalon. :)
  
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- Geozinger on Apr 02, 2015
  
  @Corey Lewis LOL! What I really want is a Fiat Panda. But we get the 500L and 500X here instead. Ah well...
  
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- Corey Lewis on Apr 02, 2015
  
  @geozinger I think the most similar America-has answer then, is Soul.
  
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- Geozinger on Apr 02, 2015
  
  @Corey Lewis Only if you get the Exclaim (!) version. The regular 1.6L version is definitely not my cup of tea. And the ! version bumps up into the $25K region (based on sticker prices) pretty quickly. I could purchase lots of other things for that kind of money. At that point, I *would* go for the 500L. At least it has the Abarth turbo motor and that rorty sound...
  
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- Corey Lewis on Apr 02, 2015
  
  @Corey Lewis BUT, the 500L is 48% more hideous than the Soul, and from most accounts seems to have pretty rubbish build quality.
  
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- Geozinger on Apr 02, 2015
  
  @Corey Lewis Ugly, I can live with. Sayeth the man who owned 2 Yugos and 3 Azteks. I can't see the outside of them when I'm inside driving. But the build quality seems to be *highly* variable. But, to that end, you can spec one with a regular torque-converter automatic and no sunroof. It still doesn't fix the electronics issues...
  
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- Corey Lewis on Apr 02, 2015
  
  @Corey Lewis And if you think about it - is it really acceptable for a car company to have varying build quality in the year 2015? This isn't the British-Leyland era no mores.
  
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- Geozinger on Apr 02, 2015
  
  @Corey Lewis In any mass produced item there's going to be some variation. OTOH, that's why I'm considering little buzz bombs like the Spark as a empty nester vehicle that I can stuff full of things, beat on it and not have to worry about it. GM seems to do a much better job of controlling variation than Fiat. But I do like me some Fiats... :)
  
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- Jgwag1985 on Apr 02, 2015
  
  I owned one for 53 weeks. What a miserable little car. Sure I got great mpg, but there is more to life than mpg. Too narrow. 2 adults in the front? Shoulder to shoulder. Too narrow, too small, underpowered. I'm disgusted just thinking about the car.
  
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- 28-Cars-Later on Apr 02, 2015
  
  @Jgwag1985 What made you purchase it?
  
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Ryoku75 on Apr 02, 2015

This is weird, this car somehow uses the Chevy SS's "face" better than the Chevy SS itself!

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SoCalMikester on Apr 02, 2015

more like a "hot karl" amirite?

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Kkollwitz on Feb 13, 2016

Drove a 2016 LS CVT today and bought it for my daughter. I have not driven a 2015, but was very impressed with the 2016's power and handling, as well as front seat comfort, quiet, and the CVT's unobtrusiveness. I like the 2015's visual energy, but was happy to get the bigger engine, better mpg, and increased HP of the '16. I'm used to driving a 2002 Camaro Z28 6-speed which should shed light on my automotive worldview.

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