Soft-Roading: Chevrolet Spark Activ is U.S.-Bound, Document Reveals
A certification document published by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) shows General Motors plans to sell a new version of the diminutive Chevrolet Spark in the U.S.
The Chevy Spark Activ, marketed as a “soft-roader” in India (where it will soon be sold as the Chevy Beat Activ), shows up in the CARB document as a 2017 model, alongside the regular Spark.
The Beat Activ (seen above) adds muscular-looking bodyside cladding, graphics and body color interior panels to the existing Beat package, though no extra horsepower. According to the document, the Spark Activ will come with the same 98-horsepower 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine found in the Spark.
The term “soft-roader” seems a little out of place with this model, but it does bolster the image the company wants for the vehicle.
No doubt, GM wants the Spark Activ’s funky package to boost the model’s appeal with young people. The automaker recently launched a marketing campaign aimed at young carbuyers, designed to get them thinking about (and buying) Chevrolet’s lineup of small cars.
To be sold countrywide, the Spark Activ needs to be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency, but the document from the California regulator, plus the fact GM trademarked the name in the U.S., makes it a safe bet we’ll see the model on these shores.
[Source: AutoGuide] [Image: General Motors]
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Hey ! I'm unbanned again ! Are they going after the gay market with this car/color ?
Fake AWD has been going on for years overseas. VW CrossGolf CrossFox or CrossPolo. Something like that. Honda did it to the last gen Fit/Jazz in Brazil. At least 40% of Americans buy 2WD SUVs. Might as well base them on Hatchbacks to save weight.
Definitely a marketing exercise rather than any practical improvement for rough-road use. I just returned from what can be best described as a rough-road destructive testing grounds (rural Siberia), the common trend for most used Japanese sedans was a ~1 inch coil spacer lift, and the addition of a skid plate to protect the oil pan. One hapless fellow in my grandmother's village had a un-lifted newer Mazda6, the bottom of the front fascia was totally shredded. I doubt this Chevy would be in any better shape.
The Spark Activ has flower-shaped fog lights, no additional ground clearance, and bubbles on the rear quarter panels. Genius, GM, pure genius!