Chevrolet Spark 1.2 LTZ - a pleasant surprise
We don't expect too much from A-segment vehicles. Most importantly, the car should be cheap, economical, and efficiently handle the tangled city streets. Chevrolet Spark goes even further.
The problem with many city cars is inexpressive styling. Everything possible is subject to functionality and cost. Spark proves that a small car can look attractive. Numerous ribs on the body, a large grille, elongated headlights, hidden rear door handles or a metal insert in the bumper that optically enlarges the exhaust pipe give the Spark a sporty flavor.
Last year's upgrade improved the look of the smallest Chevrolet. Both bumpers were replaced, and an enlarged spoiler appeared on the tailgate with an integrated third brake light. The front and rear lights have also changed. The surfaces of the chrome trims were limited. There are three basic varnishes in the catalog - white, red and yellow. For the remaining seven flowers, you need to pay PLN 1400 extra.
It is worth adding that the equipment version has a great influence on the aesthetics of the Chevrolet Spark. The flagship version of the LTZ looks much more attractive than the base LS. In addition to the 14-inch alloy wheels, it has roof rails, side skirts, different bumpers, black B-pillar trim, and body-colored plastic parts (door handles, mirrors, rear spoiler).
The interior also experimented with design. While the neat cockpit or the colored inserts on the dash and doors may be to your liking, the instrument panel is criticized by many. Chevrolet says the digital tachometer and analog speedometer are inspired by motorcycle technology. The set feels glued to the rest of the cockpit, and the aesthetics are further spoiled by the low resolution of the liquid crystal display and the framing of the whole thing with a lot of metallized plastic.
The readability of the small tachometer is average. A more driver-friendly solution is the layout offered by Chevrolet in the larger Aveo, which includes a digital speedometer and analog tachometer. It's also a pity that the Spark's on-board computer displays range, travel time, average speed and daily mileage, but does not provide information on average or instantaneous fuel consumption.
Despite some shortcomings, the Spark's interior looks much more mature than competing models. There is no bare metal sheet on the door or in the trunk. There were also central ventilation deflectors, and a panel with power window control buttons was placed in the driver's armrest. Of course, this whole thing was assembled from tough materials, but they were well-fitted and solidly assembled.
The interior capacity is satisfactory - four adults will not be overly crowded. None of them should have enough headroom. Body height 1,52 meters as a percentage. Why so much space for passengers? Find out after opening the trunk. The 170-liter box is one of the smallest in the A segment. Competitors offer up to 50 liters more.
We also have some reservations about the driver's seat. The steering column is adjustable only vertically, which makes it difficult to find the optimal position. Sharply inclined front pillars and massive rear pillars limit visibility. However, maneuvering is unlikely to cause difficulties. They are facilitated by a turning circle of 9,9 m, the correct shape of the rear end and direct steering. Between these locks, the steering wheel makes less than three turns.
For the flagship Chevrolet Spark LTZ, only the four-cylinder 1.2 S-TEC II 16V engine is available, developing 82 hp. at 6400 rpm and 111 Nm at 4800 rpm. On paper, the numbers look promising, but the performance remains mediocre until the driver starts using the high RPMs at which the engine feels best. Overtaking must be preceded by a downshift. The gearbox is precise, although the jack travel could be shorter. Increasing the engine speed significantly increases the noise in the cabin. There is another side of the coin. Even frequent acceleration of revolutions has little effect on fuel consumption.
During the test, which was mostly carried out in city traffic, the Spark used up 6,5 l/100 km. We add that this is not the result read from the on-board computer (which does not display such information), but the actual average calculated based on the amount of fuel filled. If those fuel bills are still too high, for PLN 290 Chevrolet offers a factory adaptation of the Spark to run on gas, and for PLN 3700 full gas.
MacPherson struts and a torsion beam are responsible for Spark's contact with the road. Properly matched characteristics of springs and shock absorbers mean that the smallest Chevy has no problem picking up bumps. Of course, one cannot count on royal comfort. The low weight (864 kg) and the short wheelbase (2375 mm) mean that large bumps are clearly visible. The chassis may make noise during major faults. They have limited body roll and a large margin of grip, which allows for a dynamic ride. Despite its urban nature, the Spark is also great on the road. Easily accelerates on the highway up to 140 km / h. If necessary, it will accelerate to a speed of 164 km / h. Around 120 km/h it becomes noisy in the cabin. Annoying and susceptibility to gusts of side wind.
Chevrolet Spark is available in two engine versions - 1.0 (68 hp) and 1.2 (82 hp). The bike cannot be selected because it has been assigned to a trim level. The LS and LS+ variants have a weaker unit, while the LT, LT+ and LTZ have a stronger unit. The choice seems obvious. Not only because of the better performance of version 1.2 and the same fuel consumption. The Spark 1.2 LT comes with manual air conditioning, front fog lamps, central locking, sun visors and styling accessories. It was valued at 34 zlotys. Option 490 LS + with air conditioning (option for 1.0 2000 zlotys) costs 32 990 zlotys. We will not receive other listed accessories, even for an additional fee. You need to prepare PLN 1.2 for the flagship LTZ variant. In this case, parking sensors, alloy wheels, an upgraded audio system and a leather steering wheel are standard, among other things.
Chevrolet's smallest model is an attractive proposition in the A segment. It is the second most popular Chevrolet model in Europe after the Aveo. The recipe for success is a combination of functionality, aesthetic advantages and reasonable pricing. We will buy an 82 hp car with reasonable equipment for less than PLN 35. This is a non-discounted price, so it is possible that your final bill will be lower.
