Chevrolet Spark 1.0 8V SX Premium
Both names are very American, full of tradition and patriotism. Both are widely represented in almost all markets and countries around the world. McDonalds means in the world of fast food Chevrolet in the automotive industry. Some offer sandwiches, others offer cars, and what they have in common is that the customer gets a reliable product at a fairly low price.
The little Spark that replaced the Daewoo Matiz is like this: a city car with almost nothing in it. The one with the Direct label, that is, completely from the bottom of the offer (0-liter engine with 8 hp), costs 51 1.557.600 1.759.200 tolars, and the same one with air conditioning costs 1 0 65 tolars. The most expensive, bearing the Premium label and equipped with a 2.157.600 liter gasoline engine with XNUMX hp. and having ABS, an electrical package, four airbags, a radio with a CD player, metallic paint, and a host of other things, you'll have to deduct XNUMX tolars (we had one in this test, and the prices are valid with the current discount). Either way, you won't find a cheaper city kid with this much gear and safety!
But, like countless times before, we have witnessed all paper transfers. Certain car brands or at least some car models from the Far East (but we do not mean Japan) have often disappointed us in the recent past. Looking at the list of accessories and even under the headlights at the dealership, everything seemed very beautiful, looking at the price, almost unbelievable. In real life, then, instead of a good purchase, constant visits to the service station, grumpy crickets in the body or plastic parts, rust here and rust there, poor driving performance, a box that makes a person cry. ...
Therefore, we need to understand our caution with which we approach the valuation of very cheap cars.
Well, we haven't found anything in Spark that deserves a scolding. He inherited a rich heritage from Matiz, which has always pleasantly surprised us in recent years.
Thus, it can be said that the exterior looks very attractive. Its responsive nose with large, lemon-shaped, rounded headlights gives the impression that the car is constantly in a good mood, as if it smiles a little. Gentle movements also continue along the body towards the slightly raised rear (giving it a dynamic look). Nice touches on the back merge into a beautifully shaped rear with two round lanterns. Therefore, his portrayal is pleasing and modern, and the workmanship is not superficial or sloppy. Considering the Spark's price range, we didn't find any visual flaws.
We always entered the salon without any problems. The door opens wide enough to allow easy access to the seats, also suitable for older people who find it difficult to bend over. There is enough space in the seats for four medium-sized adult passengers. It sits better in the shade at the front, as there is enough room in width, height and length, even for drivers up to 190 centimeters tall. If the driver's seat, when a 180-centimeter carrot sits on it, is adjusted correctly, then there is enough legroom on the back bench behind it (the driver has already moved back to check the space), conditionally also for the head. Senior passengers will bang their heads against the outer edge of the ceiling by the door. However, this is impressive for a toddler, whose total length is only 3495 millimeters.
We were also surprised by the reworked instrument panel, which is well-transparent and easy to access, with buttons and switches in the right places (Daewoo, remember?). We also like the harmonious color combinations that create a feeling of spaciousness both on the plastic parts and on the upholstery of the doors and seats. But most of all (for which the Spark deserves a really big plus) we were surprised by the amount of storage space and their ease of use. From drink holders to shelves and drawers, more can fit than many high-end cars. Suddenly we were touched by the thought: “Hey, they made a car according to female criteria! The ladies will now really have no problems with the disposal of small things.
But something was missing in Spark for an excellent final score. Box! This one is very small. The factory offers 170 liters with the basic seating arrangement and 845 liters with the rear seat folded down. However, practice shows that it is too small for a folding stroller. Well, if you know you won't need a trunk for anything other than transporting a few shopping bags from the store to your home, then there can be much less rigor when evaluating a trunk. Perhaps this is just a hint: if the bench was moved back and forth, it would already mean a lot. There is plenty of room in the back of the Spark for this kind of finish. Perhaps someday?
We conclude the test with a chapter on how Spark performs on the road and in the city.
First of all, we have to point out that this is great for city crowds when we have constant parking problems. We inserted it into almost every available hole and there were still a few inches of empty space left. Unfortunately, we cannot write anything more beautiful about the engine. It's too anemic for our liking, plus it has a kind of "hole" or slump in the power curve between 2500 and 3500 rpm. It only comes alive at higher RPMs. Consequently, acceleration is not its best virtue.
It worked better on expressways. During our measurements, it reached a top speed of 155 km/h, but when the plane was long enough, the scale on the speedometer was too short (showing up to 180 km/h). The engine loves to spin, but interestingly, in fifth gear, we were unable to engage the red box. But speeds above 130 km / h are already adrenaline for the Spark. Under no circumstances is the chassis intended for racing or setting speed records in airplanes or corners. However, if you can listen to what the car can do within safety limits, it will get you safely and comfortably to your destination.
It is certainly gratifying to note that the minimum fuel consumption was 6 liters, and on average he drank 2 liters of gasoline per 7 kilometers. With a strong boost of the engine, the consumption increased even to 2 liters. So it's a good idea to leave home with the Spark about a minute early, and you'll get to your destination cheaper and at a moderate pace.
The price or low cost is what convinces many, besides the ease of use in the city and the fact that this car is one of the cheapest "air conditioners on wheels". We can say for ourselves that the Spark is one of the best Chevrolets overall. Sometimes a smaller burger can be better than a Big Mac.
Petr Kavchich
Photo: Aleš Pavletič.
Chevrolet Spark 1.0 8V SX Premium
Basic data
| Sales: | GM South East Europe |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 9.305,63 € |
| Test model cost: | 9.556,00 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 49kW (67 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 14,1 with |
| Maximum speed: | 156 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 7,2l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - displacement 995 cm3 - maximum power 49 kW (67 hp) at 5400 rpm - maximum torque 91 Nm at 4200 rpm. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | engine-driven front wheels - 5-speed manual transmission - tires 155/65 R 13 T (Hankook Gentum K702). |
| Capacity: | top speed 156 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h in 14,1 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 7,2 / 4,7 / 5,6 l / 100 km. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 930 kg - permissible gross weight 1270 kg. |
| External dimensions: | length 3495 mm - width 1495 mm - height 1500 mm. |
| Inner dimensions: | fuel tank 35 l. |
| Box: | 170 845-l |
Our measurements
| T = 23 ° C / p = 1012 mbar / rel. Owner: 69% / Km counter status: 2463 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 14,6s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 19,4 years ( 113 km / h) |
| 1000m from the city: | 36,2 years ( 141 km / h) |
| Flexibility 50-90km / h: | 16,9s |
| Flexibility 80-120km / h: | 35,4s |
| Maximum speed: | 155km / h (V.) |
| test consumption: | 7,2 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 44,5m |
| AM table: | 45m |
evaluation
The Spark is a charming city car that wowed us with its exterior and interior. All we needed was a bigger or at least more flexible boot and a more active engine in the low and mid-range.
We praise and reproach
appearance
inside
spaciousness of seats
Equipment
price
small trunk
weak engine
consumption in pursuit
the transmission is disengaged when the reverse gear is engaged
