Chevrolet Spark 2007-2012 Chevrolet Spark 2007 2012 1.0 LT

Spark 2007 2012 1.0 LT Review

Chevrolet India is the fully owned subsidiary of the American auto major, General Motors and they have a decent fleet of vehicles in the Indian car market. They have a decent line up in all cadres including hatchbacks, sedans and utility vehicles. When you look into the hatchback section Chevy has Spark, Beat, Aveo. Amongst these hatchbacks line Spark has been doing extremely well. This hatch from the stables of Chevy was first launched in the country in year, 2007. Since then, this entry level vehicle has been doing impressive sales for the company and has an affordable pricing and quite a few variants for the consumers to choose from. Among the petrol engine model lineup, there are three trims on offer, out of which, Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT is the top end version. This high end trim has been equipped with some impressive safety and comfort features, which will certainly lure the customers into buying it. Apart from these features, this small hatchback is very easy to maneuver in peak traffic hours and can carry five people with ease in it. This Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT has been fitted with a 1.0 litre, Smart Tec petrol engine, which is extremely fuel efficient and performance packed. This engine is pertinent for the Indian road and traffic conditions and has been doing very well in the car market. The Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT is quite a charming and adorable hatchback, which is very sensible as well as comfortable and is a complete family car. Chevrolet India is also offering a three years or 45,000 kilometers warranty, which is being termed as a “3 years Chevrolet promise” and this will have quite a few advantages for the customers. This package will take care of the repairs* and maintenance* (* - conditions apply) and apart from this there will be three wheel alignments and balancing for three times in this span, which is an added benefit to the users. Some of the most attractive features of this Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT are beige interiors, power windows, a wonderful 2-Din audio system with speakers and many more such remarkable aspects as well.

Exteriors

The outsides of this impressive small hatchback are refreshing and adorable that inspires warmth as well as sophistication. The overall body line is aerodynamic with a stunningly crispy body structure. The Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT is compact, but at the same time has a very modern looking and lively body along with some exciting attention grabbing exterior features. The frontage has a bold and aggressive look with a neat and subtle front grille, which has the Chevrolet ‘BOWTIE’ insignia embedded on it. This radiator grille is surrounded by a large set of head lights, which have been powered with high intensity lamps. The front body colored bumper has been integrated with a couple of bright round shaped fog lamps, which enhances the visibility of the driver. The front and rear wind shields along with all the other windows are tinted, while the front windshield has been equipped with a couple of intermittent wipers. The rear wind shield has a defogger to further enhance the driving comfort of the driver during the monsoon season. The side profile also has some striking features such as the body colored door handles along with body colored outside rear view mirrors. The finely carved wheel arches have been fitted with steel wheels of size 13 x 4.5J , which have been affixed with tubeless tyres of size 155/70 R13 that have a better and sturdier grip on the roads. The rear end has a curvy and very neatly done up boot lid and a trendy tail lamp cluster, which has the reversing lamp as well as the side turn indicator included in it. This tail lamp cluster has a jewel effect with chrome finish and is optimally positioned to give better visibility and safety as well. The top has been fitted with a pair of satin silver roof rails and the rear end has been given a spoiler, which makes this Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT look sporty and energetic .

The overall dimensions of this small hatchback, Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT 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 LT 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 company has done up the interiors of this Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT very well as this is the top end variant in its model lineup. The insides have beige interiors and the seating arrangement is fairly comfortable. The seats are covered with premium fabric upholstery, which is adding to the elegance of this small hatchback. There is a metallic finish on the IP, while all the door trims get fabric inserts on it that makes it look urbane. The cabin has ample head room, shoulder space along with a high roof line and a fairly good leg space as well.  There are quite a few storage spaces to keep many things at hand, which further add to the convenience of the passengers. The glove box is large and can be used to keep quite a few things in it. Apart from this, the other storage spaces 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. Then there is a day and night internal rear view mirror, while the passenger side sun visor has a vanity mirror as well.

Engine and Performance

This Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT has been equipped with a peppy 1.0 litre petrol engine, which has 4 cylinders along with 8 valves fitted in it . This single over head cam shaft (SOHC) Smart Tec power train has been integrated with some brilliant innovative technologies, which assist in the better performance of this engine and also help in generating impressive fuel efficiency. This 995cc petrol power plant has a DDLI (dual distributor less ignition system), then there is the advanced sequential multi point fuel injection (MPFI) supply system with an advanced optical sensor and the MTIS (motorized throttle intake system) as well . All these inventive technologies combined together ensure an incredible pick up along with maximum power and torque productivity, which makes this engine one of the most noiseless, maintenance free power train along with being dependable and fuel efficient as well. This 1.0 litre petrol mill has the capacity to generate a maximum power yield of 61.74 Bhp at 5400 Rpm along with a peak torque output of 90.3 Nm at 4200 Rpm and is mated with a smooth and efficient five speed manual transmission gear box. The company claims that this small hatchback. Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT has the ability to generate a healthy mileage of 18 kmpl, when driven under standard driving conditions. The 995cc Smart Tec motor has the capacity to propel this hatchback from 0 – 100 kmph in just about 15.1 seconds , while the Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT can achieve a top speed of close to 153 kmph , which is quite remarkable.

Braking and Handling

The front tyres of this hatchback has been fitted with solid disc brakes, which are very sturdy and efficient, while the rear tyres get self adjusting drum brakes for enhanced braking in any road conditions . The suspension system is robust with the front axle getting a McPherson strut type, which also has anti roll bars. The rear axle of this hatchback has been equipped with a torsion beam axle, which assists in keeping this car stable. The shock absorbers are gas filled, while the rear end shock absorbers have been filled with hydraulics for added comfort to the rear seat passengers.

Safety Features

The Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT is the top end variant in the Chevrolet Spark model lineup and has been incorporated with some very crucial safety features, which are for the benefit of the passengers as well as the hatchback. The list of these safety and security features comprise 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. This hatchback also has a collapsible steering column along with a head lamp leveling device and side impact beams as well. The Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT also has a pair of front fog lamps, which enhances the visibility of the driver and also has a rear defogger to add to the convenience while driving in the rainy season. This hatchback also has a door ajar warning notification lamp in the cluster along with central locking for added security and protection of the hatchback.

Comfort Features

This high end trim, Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT has been loaded with some wonderful and very practical convenience features, which will certainly amaze the buyers. The list includes a powerful and efficient air conditioning unit, which cools the entire cabin within a short span of time. This hatchback has also been gifted with a wonderful 2-Din music system with speaker that has Radio FM, CD player and a couple of other input options such as an Aux-in port and also a USB interface . There is also a roof mounted antenna that assists the AM/FM radio and gives a very good quality reception. The Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT has a 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 notification lamps as well to help the driver. The Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT has a digital clock, battery voltage indicator, a power steering that is extremely responsive and easy to handle, front and rear power windows, remote central locking and also a rear defogger.

Pros

Wonderful exteriors and interiors, good comfort and safety features, a very practical car.

Cons

Not very good for tall people, Interior plastics are of regular quality and engine can be made a bit more powerful