Consumer Reports likes the Spark EV

Instead of a golf cart, Consumer Reports says the Chevy Spark is more akin to a go-kart – and beyond this, it drives better than the ICE version, and GM needs to think about selling it beyond California and Oregon, CR says.

“Turning the diminutive Spark into an EV transforms it into a punchy, zippy, fun little runabout, a far cry from the conventional, slow noisy and stiff Spark that earned a meager overall score in our tests,” said CR after its first drive.

Part of the fun is the motor that whirs out 130 horses and 400 pounds-feet.

“[T]he electric motor is a gift that keeps on giving,” said CR noting it took getting used to the power lest torque steer become pronounced, “Press the go-pedal and the car catapults forward, but unlike some EVs, the thrust doesn’t wane. The Spark EV keeps gathering speed enthusiastically all the way to its top speed of 90 mph. The sprint from 0-60 mph is claimed to be between 7.5 and 8 seconds, which is more than believable.”

Its 21.3-kwh battery gives an EPA estimated range of 82 miles, and takes seven hours at 240 volts to recharge. GM’s engineers said they saw no need for a 6.6-kwh on-board charger like the Leaf and Focus EV make available. It does have an SAE combo charger so level three charging can zap 80 percent charge in 20 minutes.

Inside the car uses systems similar to the Volt’s. As a prescription for range anxiety, GM contrived a “confidence meter” (range indicator), apparently with both an optimistic and a pessimistic range estimate to account for either frugal or more aggressive driving styles.

Also in the car is a host of connectivity including Pandora, Stitcher, Tune-In Internet radio, Siri voice commands, Bluetooth phone pairing, and “BringGo” navigation system.

Lease deals fold in the tax credit, so for $99 down, it’s $199.month for three years. A purchase starts at $27,495 in California and Oregon.

YahooAutos