Test: Chevrolet Spark 1.2 16V LT
Content
How the new Spark appeared, which only in name resembles an old miniature baby, can be said almost from the movies. The Beat concept, presented in the color worn by the test Spark, appealed to people the most.
Chevrolet's designers didn't change it much and basically put on the wheels a production model very similar to the prototype they saw, which is undoubtedly a pretty bold move that is certainly welcomed by many species on the road.
Unlike the previous generation model, the new Spark is very recognizable, and in this green color it is already quite daring. Out back, the size of the tailpipe trim is striking, but that's just a design gimmick. In fact, the roundness in the bumper is just a chrome hole in which a small exhaust pipe is visible. Take a step right in front of your nose.
That's when the observer realizes how bulky and abruptly cut he really is, with outrageously large headlights and a hood that even a pickup truck would not be ashamed of. With an innovative solution, the designers managed to hide the hooks of the other side doors along the upper outer part of the glass, which surprises many, and, not knowing that the Spark has five doors, it wants to go to the back bench through the front one. doors.
Nobody stops him, but Spark doesn't require basic gymnastics to get in and out. There isn't as much room on the back bench as the TV commercial for this car, which has three adults in the back, would suggest. Two, less than 180 centimeters, otherwise they should be able to stand in Spark without any problems if there are two equally large people in the front seats. From
don't expect French comfort from the seats, but expect them to be serviced with sufficient comfort, even if the front seats, in particular, behave as if they haven't heard of side body grip yet. However, their "straightforwardness" makes it easier to get in and out of the car, which is what this deputy is intended for. There won't be many purchases in the store as the Spark's trunk is not regal, but its appropriate size and workmanship is the reason you'll be using it many times.
It opens a little old-fashioned, through a lock in the back or a lever inside. When you stand in front of the tailgate with your hands full of groceries, you need the central unlocking with the remote to also mean opening the tailgate.
To prevent the load from slipping away, even if it does not go so far, it can be fixed on hooks. Trunk volume can be increased from a base 170 liters to 568 liters with the triple-fold rear bench seat.
It's simple, but there is one problem: the front seats need to be moved so that the rear seat folds forward and the back folds down in front of it, making it almost impossible for people of medium and tall stature to get behind the wheel in comfort.
A comfortable driving position also means a safe driving position. That’s why it’s worth scolding Chevrolet! It is encouraged that when the boot is enlarged, a flat bottom is formed. There is no dump for export, but you can have a good day with the existing ones.
There is a drawer under the passenger seat, also in front of it. Unfortunately, it does not burn and its air conditioner remains only a wish. There is a storage pocket on the back of the front passenger seat, in the center console towards the rear passengers there is a place to store drinks, in the front there are two more connected holes that make it difficult to hold drinks as the Spark leans heavily.
There are still a few storage compartments in the front door, the silver elements in the middle of the dashboard contain a smaller and larger shelf (both are poorly used due to the fact that they are not covered with rubber), and the shelves in the front are even more useful. cigarette lighter on the center console.
Inside, we appreciate inventions such as coin kiosks and a place for cards in (unlit) sun mirrors. There is also a spectacle compartment above the driver's head. With all the electrification, it interferes with the fact that the glass (at least the front one) cannot be moved from one extreme position to another at the touch of a button, but it must be held.
The driving biotope in Spark is pretty neat. The dashboard is designed in a wavy style, with buttons for radio control and air conditioning, which give a very pleasant feel to the fingers when working. In the shower, the radio will appeal to young people as it has an AUX input and a USB slot.
It's a shame that this is the last mini, which most likely requires an extra cable when plugging in USB drives. The air conditioner quickly cools and heats the room. It's a shame that the center slots don't close completely and that the interior is lit by only one ceiling light, which is already the rule in the Spark class.
The steering wheel is solid, pleasantly surprised by the very responsive gear lever of the five-speed gearbox, which didn't make a single mistake in the test, or at least pointed out a hint of inaccuracy. The steering wheel could be improved, but this desire has already been fulfilled by the upper class. It takes some getting used to the driving position as the steering wheel can only be adjusted in two directions.
The speedometer is hard to see on it, and next to it is an information screen with circles that displays information. Interestingly, the front fog lights are turned on on the left steering column switch, and the rear ones on the right.
The trip computer is an example of abuse, as to navigate between categories for which current and average consumption data is not known, you have to reach the steering wheel with your right (or left) hand and press three unlit buttons: Mode, Drive and Clock. The tachometer is also cosmetic rather than informative as it lacks a red bezel.
The Spark is now bigger than we're used to, but the driver can still stroke the thigh or accidentally touch the passenger when shifting gears. Two men, "with razors under their arms", will be cramped in front. Well, let's leave these extremes, the Spark is not wide, but most importantly.
As a city car, it has ample space in the front, especially in height. At the peak. The test Spark was fitted with 14-inch wheels, which showcase all the splendor and squalor of Slovenian roads. They "stop" in each hole, causing the car to tilt repeatedly, and its narrowness and height, with softer damping settings that do not provide a comfortable feeling, force the driver to work with the driver in a crosswind.
If the road is really bad, full of very small but seemingly lavish potholes, Spark confuses and serves passengers by shifting bumps in the road onto their backs. He is absolutely confident on the road, and when driving, he shows his attitude towards a quieter ride.
When changing direction quickly, the little Chevrolet leans forward and sideways, which also interferes with faster driving, which can handle the otherwise drum-shaped brakes for at least a few kilometers, but the car stops well even when braking at higher speeds. ... ...
Spark's intent is not to drive fast from work, and from his mother-in-law, he can show his best side with a calm ride, which translates into ease of driving, transparency and ease of control. The 1-litre engine that powers the test Spark is the most powerful unit you can take the Spark off the showroom floor with.
According to the factory data - 60 kilowatts. Hmm, our and factory acceleration and poor flexibility about jumping do not say that the driving experience confirms. Spark doesn't shine, as its name suggests. On the open road, the traffic follows at its own pace, overtaking less often, and on highways, he knows mostly the right, most beaten lane.
On the downhill of the freeway, he will have a better starting position in a truck race without much advantage, and police speed measurements shouldn't be a problem for him. Where are those 60 kilowatts? If you want to be fast with the Spark, you need a few visits to the gas stations, where the Spark most often turns due to its modest fuel tank.
Consumption on the test was about seven liters - after the sensations while driving, we expected more. At speeds above 110 km / h, the smallest member of the Chevrolet family is already noticeably loud, which again speaks in favor of a slower enjoyment of life and requires a longer transmission.
In fifth gear at 110 km / h (speedometer data), the rev counter reads 3.000 rpm, but if we increase the speed to 130 km / h in the same gear, which is very slow, it reads 3.500 rpm. To get four airbags and two curtains in the equipment, a high level of equipment must be cut out, which, however, does not heed the desire for a serial stabilization system. However, Spark is not sure if it would be a bad thing to have an ESP.
Face to face. ...
Matevj Hribar: I appreciate Daewoo's courage ... sorry, Chevrolet dares to create another car that attracts attention with its unusual exterior, bright plastic interior, unusual dashboard and, not less important, blood green color, but it seems too big for me, hmm, like it radiates from some kind of computer game in which Spark will play in the city vehicle of the future. However, the spaciousness and driving performance of this small city car was fine with me.
Sasha Kapetanovich: I'm trying to find a spark that would convince me as a potential buyer, but let's say the shape is the best thing that can catch fire in a small fire. There is nothing more important than intelligence. On the plus side, I believe that the base model is equipped with six airbags. But the rather opaque counter worries me: I can still easily tell the speed, and there's a lot of confusion on the small screen. As the person in charge of the test measurements, I can justify the Spark's less measured acceleration by having two people in the car take our measurements. So far, manufacturers do this only with the driver.
Mitya Reven, photo :? Ales Pavletić
Chevrolet Spark 1.2 16V LT
Basic data
| Sales: | GM South East Europe |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 7.675 € |
| Test model cost: | 11.300 € |
| Power: | 60kW (82 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 12,1 with |
| Maximum speed: | 164 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 5,1l / 100km |
| Guarantee: | 3 years or 100.000 6 km total and mobile warranty, XNUMX years rust guarantee. |
Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - gasoline - mounted transversely in front - bore and stroke 69,7 × 79 mm - displacement 1.206 cm? – compression 9,8:1 – maximum power 60 kW (82 hp) at 6.400 rpm – average piston speed at maximum power 16,9 m/s – specific power 49,8 kW/l (67,7 hp / l) - maximum torque 111 Nm at 4.800 hp. min - 2 camshafts in the head (chain) - 4 valves per cylinder. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | engine-driven front wheels - 5-speed manual transmission - gear ratio I. 3,538; II. 1,864 hours; III. 1,242 hours; IV. 0,974; V. 0,780; - Differential 3,905 - Wheels 4,5 J × 14 - Tires 155/70 R 14, rolling circumference 1,73 m. |
| Capacity: | 164 km/h top speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 12,1 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 6,6/4,2/5,1 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 119 g/km. |
| Transportation and suspension: | limousine - 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, spring legs, three-spoke wishbones, stabilizer - rear torsion shaft, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear drum, ABS, mechanical parking brake on the rear wheels (lever between seats) - rack and pinion steering wheel, power steering, 2,75 turns between extreme points. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1.058 kg - Permissible gross vehicle weight 1.360 kg - Permissible trailer weight with brake: n/a, without brake: n/a - Permissible roof load: 50 kg. |
| External dimensions: | vehicle width 1.597 mm, front track 1.410 mm, rear track 1.417 mm, ground clearance 10 m. |
| Inner dimensions: | front width 1.330 mm, rear 1.320 mm - front seat length 490 mm, rear seat 480 mm - steering wheel diameter 360 mm - fuel tank 35 l. |
| Box: | Trunk volume measured for AM standard set of 5 Samsonite suitcases (total 278,5 L): 5 seats: 1 aircraft suitcase (36 L), 1 backpack (20 L) |
Our measurements
| T = 18 ° C / p = 1.210 mbar / rel. vl. = 35% / Tires: Continental ContiPremiumContact2 155/70 / R 14 T / Mileage condition: 2.830 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 14,7s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 19,6 years ( 115 km / h) |
| Flexibility 50-90km / h: | 17,8 (IV.) S |
| Flexibility 80-120km / h: | 37,0 (W) p |
| Maximum speed: | 164km / h (IV. And V.) |
| Minimum consumption: | 6,7l / 100km |
| Maximum consumption: | 7,2l / 100km |
| test consumption: | 7,0 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 130 km / h: | 69,9m |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 39,8m |
| AM table: | 42m |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear | 60dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear | 59dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear | 59dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear | 64dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear | 63dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear | 62dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 3rd gear | 70dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear | 68dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear | 67dB |
| Idling noise: | 40dB |
| Test errors: | unmistakable |
Overall rating (252/420)
Let's not forget that it is very small and therefore, according to some estimates, it simply cannot reach the top. On average, this is a solid car, which technical progress will not hurt.
Exterior (11/15)
Not every automaker dares to use a car with such a bold design. The workmanship isn't perfect, but it's not distracting.
Interior (78/140)
Even though he's grown, the Spark is still small, so sometimes the front two can still almost squeeze in and only the kids sit well in the back. Counters are less transparent.
Engine, transmission (47
/ 40)Soft, comfortable and motorized to constantly think about power. Surprisingly good drivetrain.
Driving performance (48
/ 95)Noticeable crosswind effects and less favorable mass transfer when changing direction quickly. Otherwise, you will feel safe.
Performance (13/35)
On the highway, you will top speed in minor offense, but take your time when accelerating.
Security (37/45)
Six airbags, four EuroNCAP stars and no ESP as standard.
Economy
Just six years of warranty against rust, not the salty price of the base model. Don't expect him to keep the price down.
We praise and reproach
exterior and interior appearance
flat bottom enlarged barrel
maneuverability and ease of use
five doors and five seats
easy entry and exit from the front
opening the tailgate
fuel consumption during acceleration
modesty and control of the on-board computer
illumination of some buttons
insufficient longitudinal displacement of the front seats
the front seats are pushed forward too far with an enlarged luggage compartment
middle ventilation slots cannot be completely closed
engine displacement on the highway
engine flexibility
without ESP
