Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS

Spark 1.0 LS Review

One of the best selling small hatchbacks in the Indian car market is the Chevrolet Spark series. This adorable hatchback was launched in year, 2007 and has been instrumental in doing incredible sales for the company since then. Chevrolet India is the fifth largest automobile manufacturer in the country and has a wonderful fleet of cars in their stable. This hatchback is said to be one of the most reasonably priced hatchback for the middle class strata of the country. Now, the company has rolled out a face-lifted version of the car, which was long overdue. The new version of this small hatchback is being offered with dynamic petrol and also with an LPG drive train, which has a few different trims to choose from. One such mid level petrol trim is Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS , which has a well balanced combination of all the safety and comfort features along with new and fresh exterior features and stylish new interiors. All these impressive aspects are surely going to lure the customers into buying this charming small hatchback. Being a small and compact car, it is very simple and easy to maneuver this hatchback even in heavy traffic conditions. The engine here hasn’t been changed and you will see the same 1.0 litre of petrol engine under the hood. This engine is apt for the Indian traffic conditions and has been doing very well in the automobile market, since its launch. The Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS is quite a delightful hatchback, which is very rational and comfortable as well for all the occupants, especially after the addition of fresh new comfort features. Chevrolet India is also adding after sales benefits to its customers with a 3 years or 45,000 kilometers warranty, which will have quite a few advantages for the customers in terms of repair and maintenance. Some of the most attractive features of this Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS are beige interiors, front power windows, a powerful air conditioner with heater and many more such noteworthy features.

Exteriors

The exteriors of the new Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS hatchback are cool and charming, which arouses warmth as well as classiness. The company has worked hard on the exteriors and made it much more alluring than before. By and large, the body line is aerodynamic with a neatly designed body structure. The Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS is a compact modern looking car with some exciting exterior features. The front fascia has a trendy look with a subtle radiator grille, which has the Chevrolet badge embedded on it. This front honeycomb like mesh-grille is flanked by a large head light cluster, which has been fitted with powerful and radiant lamps. The front and rear bumpers are body colored and are restyled, that adds to the stylishness of this hatchback. Both the wind screens along with the other windows are made of tinted glass. The front wind screen has been fitted with a pair of intermittent wipers. The side profile has neatly done up wheel arches, which have been fitted with steel wheels of size 13 x 4.5J, which have been affixed with tubeless tyres of size 155/70 R13 and have hub caps on them. The rear end has also been refreshed and the tidily done up tail gate and a stylish tail lamp cluster give the car a much modish appearance. This tail lamp cluster has a jewel effect with chrome finish and is optimally positioned to give better visibility and safety as well. The overall dimensions of 2012 Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS are quite good and it has a fair interior space as well. The total length of this hatchback is 3495mm along with an overall width of 1495mm, which includes the wing mirrors as well. The total height is around 1518mm, while the wheel base is fairly comfortable with 2345mm. This small hatchback, Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS has an overall turning circle radius of 4.6 meters, which helps in easier handling and maneuverability of this car. While the kerb weight of this hatchback is about 840 kgs along with a fuel tank capacity that can store close to 38 litres of petrol in it.

Interiors

The new Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS is the mid level hatchback in its model lineup and has a balanced mix of all the features. The interiors have been refreshed and blessed with better quality interiors. The plush beige colored insides and the seating arrangement for five people is perfect. The seats are covered with better quality premium fabric upholstery, which is adding to the elegance of this adorable hatchback. The cabin has ample head room, shoulder space along with a high roof line and a fairly good leg space as well.  There are more than a few storage spots to keep many things at hand, which further add to the comfort of the occupants. The glove box is large and can be used to keep numerous things in it. Apart from this, the other storage spots include a couple of cup holders in the front console along with bottle holders in both the front doors as well. The rear seat has shopping hooks to add to the comfort, while there is also a driver front storage to keep some more things. The back seat cushion is foldable to add more space to the luggage compartment and to get some bigger things inside this hatchback.

Engine and Performance

The brand new Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS hasn’t been changed under the hood, the car will still be seen with the peppy 1.0 litre petrol engine, which has 4 cylinders along with 8 valves fitted in it. This Smart-Tec engine is fitted with a SOHC and has been integrated with some ground breaking technologies , which help in enhancing the performance of this power plant. This 995cc petrol power plant has a DDLI , an advanced sequential multi point fuel injection (MPFI) supply system, an advanced optical sensor and the motorized throttle intake system as well. All these incredible technologies combined together make sure that the new 2012 Spark 1.0 LS hatchback gets an improvised pick up along with a striking power and torque production. It is being acclaimed that this engine is one of the most noiseless, maintenance free motor and is also dependable and fuel efficient. This 1.0 litre petrol mill has the capability to produce a maximum power output of 61.74 Bhp at 5400 Rpm along with a peak torque yield of 90.3 Nm at 4200 Rpm and is skillfully coupled with a smooth and efficient five speed manual transmission gear box. Chevrolet India states 2012 Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS has the potential to produce a remarkable mileage of 18 kmpl, under standard driving conditions. The 995cc Smart-Tec motor has the capacity to thrust this hatchback from 0 – 100 kmph in just about 15.1 seconds , while it can achieve a top speed of close to 153 kmph , which is quite amazing.

Braking and Handling

Even on the brake and handling front, the facelift Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS has not been tweaked much. The front tyres of this one has been equipped with solid disc brakes, while the rear tyres get self adjusting drum brakes for superior braking on any kind of roads. The suspension system is tough with the front axle getting a McPherson strut type mechanism, which also has anti roll bars. The rear axle of this car has been fitted with a torsion beam axle, which assists in keeping this car very balanced. The shock absorbers are gas filled, while the rear end shock absorbers have been filled with hydraulics for enhanced comfort to the back seat occupants.

Safety Features

2012 Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS is the mid level trim in its model lineup and has been included with some very vital safety features as before, which are advantageous for the occupants as well as the vehicle. The list consists of a central high mounted lamp at the rear end for better visibility for other drivers, rear door child locks and then there are the advanced 2.5 miles per hour impact proof front as well as rear bumpers. Moreover, the Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS facelift also has a collapsible steering column along with a head lamp leveling device and side impact beams as well. The door ‘Ajar’ warning notification lamp in the cluster along with other such notifications is added safety and fortification of the hatchback.

Comfort Features

The 2012 Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS has been provided with the many comfort features. These comfort features consists of a powerful air conditioner, which cools the entire cabin within a few minutes. Furthermore, it also comes with remote release of the fuel filler as well as the boot lid to add to the comfort level of the driver. There is a front room lamp and internally adjustable outside rear view mirrors, a digital temperature bar graph, a brilliant instrument cluster with a digital tachometer, low fuel warning lamp and quite a few other lamps as well to assist the driver. This hatchback trim also has a digital clock, battery voltage indicator, a power steering that is extremely responsive and easy to handle and front power windows as well.

Pros

New Exteriors, refreshed interiors, affordable price, good mileage and the engine is quite energetic.

Cons 

Less boot space and lack of many safety features