2016 Chevy Spark Redesign Brings It Up To Par, And Then Some

The 2016 Chevy Spark will be a completely redesigned car, Chevrolet says. Billed as a “city car,” the diminutive Spark will be manufactured in Korea and sold in 40 markets around the world. Profit margins may not be as high as for SUV’s but the Spark will likely be a volume leader for Chevrolet.

“At its core, the new Spark is still the fun, agile urban car that made the first-generation model so popular, but it delivers that fun driving experience with greater sophistication,” said Sam Basile, executive chief engineer. “And while it’s a truly global car, it is targeted for more developed vehicle markets, allowing engineers to focus more precisely on the materials and technologies that resonate with customers in those markets.”

The 2016 Chevy Spark will be 1.6 inches lower for improved aerodynamics and sit on a slightly longer wheelbase. Under the hood will be a new 1.4 liter, 98 horsepower, all aluminum engine which can be mated to either a manual transmission of a CVT. With the continuously variable unit, the car will return 40 miles per gallon in highway driving.

The new engine is 16% more powerful than the one that powers the present version of the car and features an integrated exhaust manifold for reduced weight. Although the Spark slots in at the bottom of the Chevrolet line-up, it will offer some of the same electronic safety features found on more expensive cars, including Side Blind Spot Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Alert. Chevy’s 7 inch color touch screen with MyLink connectivity is also available.

The 2016 Spark will go on sale in the US in the 4th quarter of 2015. The current car has a battery electric powertrain optional. There is no word yet on whether that system will be carried over to the updated car or will be offered solely on the existing car as a separate model.

Chevy starts Spark EV motor production in Baltimore

While the Chevy Spark EV will be made in Korea, two important parts –motor and battery pack – are built in the US. Today, General Motors proudly highlighted the start of motor production at its White Marsh plant outside of Baltimore, MD. GM says this move makes it the first domestic automaker to build electric motors and drive units in US.

The compact, lightweight 100-kW motor offers 130 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to move the electric Spark to 60 miles per hour in under eight seconds. GM isn't saying what the annual Spark EV motor capacity of the Baltimore plant is, just that it will be able to build them to suit customer demand.

Aside from the motor, A123 (now owned by Wanxiang Group) is making Spark EV cells and battery packs in Livonia, MI. The two components are shipped to Korea for installation and the finished cars will then be exported back to the Western US (the Spark EV's initial US markets are California and Oregon) starting this summer, with shipments to Canada, Europe and South Korea taking place later.

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2014 Chevrolet Spark EV

As GM's first battery electric car since the EV1 of the 1990s, there's more riding on the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV electric minicar than its size would indicate.

The company maintains the electric Spark is not just acompliance car, but a fully developed product to be sold not only in California, but in Korea and other markets.

Yesterday, Chevy let journalists drive four prototype Spark EVs around a short loop at the breathtaking Cavallo Point resort, a former U.S. Army base below the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The 2014 Spark EV will be officially launched at the Los Angeles Auto Show in two weeks, and the car goes on sale in California next summer.

Major adaptation

The Chevrolet Spark minicar, GM's smallest global platform, wasn't originally designed for the electric powertrain that's fitted to the Spark EV.

That means that engineers had to do substantial work on the car's basic structure. 

It included replacing the gas tank under the rear seat with a battery pack that extends rearward under the cargo floor, and replacing the engine and transmission up front with an electric motor and associated power electronics.

Eliminating the gas filler opening behind the right rear door required modifying the body-side stamping, as did adding a charge port door to the left front fender.

And keeping the electric Spark compliant with U.S. crash-safety standards required substantial structural re-engineering as well.

Minor visual changes

Aside from a silver grille blanking panel just like the one on the Chevy Volt, the electric Spark EV doesn't look all that different from any gasoline Spark.

2014 Chevrolet Spark EV prototype, Sausalito, CA, Nov 2012

It has a host of subtle aerodynamic modifications, including new front and rear fascias, sill extensions, a longer spoiler on top of the tailgate, underbody panels, and active shutters that close off airflow through the front of the car above 35 or 40 mph when it's not needed for cooling.

The alloy wheels differ from those on gasoline Sparks, but the most notable change may be the color palette.

Plug-in car owners "are conservative" in their color preferences, said Spark EV program manager Mike Lelli.

Based on presentation slides during the seminars, the electric Spark's color palette includes Summit White, Switchblade Silver Metallic, Blue Ray, and a charcoal grey--versus the gasoline Spark's choices of Techno Pink, Salsa (lime green), Denim (pale blue), and Lemonade (pale yellow).

But the prototypes shown to the press had no body-side badges, and just a small "Spark EV" chrome badge on the tailgate of a cutaway electric Spark.

Incomplete specs

Chevy executives declined to provide several critical specifications for the Spark EV.

Those included the precise size of the lithium-ion battery pack ("more than 20 kilowatt-hours"), top speed ("around 90 mph"), projected MPGe efficiency rating, and an estimate of the car's maximum range.

2014 Chevrolet Spark EV prototype, Sausalito, CA, Nov 2012

Vehicle engineers did say that the Spark EV uses roughly 85 percent of the total capacity of its liquid-cooled battery pack. The lithium-ion cells and the battery pack itself are fabricated and assembled in Michigan by A123 Systems.

The Spark EV's electric motor--which GM will build in Maryland--powers the front wheels and is now rated at 100 kilowatts (134 hp) of peak output, higher than the 85 kW (114 hp) cited last year. Peak torque is quoted at a whopping 400 lb-ft.

That compares to the 84 hp of the gas Spark's 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine. Indeed, Chevy says the electric Spark will have a 0-to-60-mph acceleration time of less than 8 seconds, far better than that of the gasoline version (and about a second quicker than the Chevy Volt).

Behind the wheel

From the driver's seat of the electric Spark, the instrument cluster resembles that of the Chevy Volt, with several different screens of crisp, bright graphics that drivers can choose from.

A vertical green battery diagram shows the state of charge, along with an estimate of remaining range based on recent driving patterns.

Other changes compared to the gasoline Spark include a Volt-style power button on the console, standardheated seats, and an electric parking brake triggered by a switch between the seats.

A switch just behind the shift lever lets drivers put the car into Sport mode, which changes the throttle mapping to reduce acceleration times.

As well as Drive, there's a Low position on the shift lever that increases brake regeneration--again, just as there is on the Volt.

Driving impressions

From the outside, the Spark EV is remarkably quiet, with no motor whine apparent as it passes by.

Behind the wheel, over the course of several 5-minute drive loops, the electric Spark behaved predictably, with smooth acceleration paired to the tight turning circle of the conventional version.

The Spark EV gathered momentum steadily and quickly, and seemed to corner well, with a low center of gravity.

Program engineers said the electric power steering was still being tuned, and that the car's electronic control systems had to be significantly adjusted to cope with the electric Spark's very different front-rear weight balance.

The battery pack, located over the rear axle and forward, weighs 550 pounds, making the front-to-rear weight shift on full power very different in the Spark EV.

Among other modifications, Chevy engineers had to fit a different torsion-beam rear axle and wider rear wheels and tires to the electric version of the Spark.

We look forward to spending time in the production version of the 2014 Chevy Spark EV next summer.

Chevrolet said nothing about pricing for the electric Spark, and we don't expect any prices to be released until much closer to the car's arrival at Chevy dealers.

SAE Combo connector in 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV prototype, Sausalito, CA, Nov 2012

SAE Combo connector

The Chevy Spark EV will be GM's first plug-in car to use the new SAE Combo connector, which includes both a standard J-1772 connector and a new DC fast-charge connector as well, combined into a single plug and socket.

On the new fast-charge standard, Chevrolet says, the Spark EV can recharge its battery to 80 percent of capacity in about 20 minutes.

Thus far, not a single fast-charge station using the new standard is open to the public in the U.S., but they will come--as Level 2 and the existing Japanese CHAdeMO fast-charge standard have.

For 240-Volt Level 2 charging, the Spark EV uses the same 3.3-kilowatt onboard charger as the Volt. If the pack is entirely depleted (a rare occurrence), fully recharging it on Level 2 charging takes roughly 7 hours.

Compliance car or not?

From GM product chief Mary Barra down through other executives and into the program team, Chevrolet maintained consistently--and repeatedly--that the Spark EV is far more than a compliance car built only to meet California's requirements for zero-emission vehicle sales.

The company wouldn't have made the car as good as it is, executives said, if they simply wanted to "tick a box" on one state's regulations.

The 2014 Spark EV includes a number of elements found in the $40,000 Chevrolet Volt, which add unexpected touches of sophistication and luxe to a car whose lesser siblings start at just $12,995 including delivery.

But it remains to be seen whether Chevy rolls the car out beyond California into other states, whether it offers attractive purchase and lease deals, and whether it devotes significant marketing effort to the Spark EV.

Source: Green Car Reports

Rise Of The Tiny Car? Chevy Spark Sales Exceed Expectations

The number of people buying new cars these days isn’t what it used to be. Thus automakers rely heavily on “conquest” buyers, those drivers who are switching brand allegiances. General Motors has had some unexpected success with conquest buyers from the smallest car its ever offered for sale, the Chevy Spark.

54% of Chevy Spark buyers were conquest buyers who came to GM from another brand, and it wasn’t just the youthful Millennials buying this diminutive Bowtie. Just 30% of Chevy Spark buyers were under the age of 35, which means many middle-aged and older buyers are finding the Spark’s low price and good fuel economy a big draw.

More than that thouggh, areas usually dominated by truck sales, like Austin, Texas saw so many Sparks fly off of dealership lots that dealers have already had to order more. Despite being for sale in just 18 markets, sales of the Spark have exceeded their own expectations by a wide margin, selling over 2,600 units rather than the 1,900 GM expected.

This is surprising GM dealers and executives, and the auto media is quick to credit the Spark’s “edgy” design and hot colored palette of bright and pastel colors. But it probably has more to do with the $12,995 MSRP, among the lowest price points for any new car on the market. Combine that with up to 32 mpg city and 38 mpg highway (with the manual transmission) from the 85 horsepower engine, and the Spark represents a lot of potential to car buyers.

Add to that features not found on other budget rivals, like an infotainment center and touchscreen with a smartphone app. That appeals to many different demographics who all share a new found interest in the most bang-for-their-buck.

Anybody out there considering a Chevy Spark? If so, why?

Source: Automotive News

Fiat 500 EV Spied in Michigan, Could be Introduced in 2013

Almost two years ago, in January 2010, a mysterious electric version of the Fiat 500 Fiat 500 appeared the Detroit Auto Show on the Chrysler stand.

Then, two months later, Chrysler said it would sell an electric 500 in the U.S. market. Engineers at the company's Auburn Hills, Michigan, headquarters would develop and test the electric powertrain.

Now, a development prototype of that car has been spotted undergoing testing in Michigan.

The test car not only sported "EV" stickers (for electric vehicle) but also a standard J-1772 charging port inside the open fuel filler cap.

The all-electric minicar is expected to go into production late next year, probably as a 2013 model, and it may be called the Fiat 500 Elettra--from the Italian word for, no suprise, "electric."

Fiat 500 BEV Concept on Chrysler standard, 2010 Detroit Auto Show

We know very little about the car's technical specs, but lithium-ion cell maker A123 Systems--with whom Chrysler has worked on more than one project--is providing lithium-ion cells for the battery pack.

Chrysler's PR manager for technology, Nick Cappa, also said last year that it was "safe to assume" that the engine-less Fiat 500 vehicles that will be converted to electric drive will be built in Mexico alongside standard 500s.

Potential buyers of a Fiat 500 Elettra, he said, may be "daily commuters who don't travel more than 40 miles a day"--though Cappa hastened to add that the electric Fiat 500 would both be highway capable and have a range that extended "well beyond that" number.

Chrysler has said the price would be "competitive with similar electric vehicles in the market," which could range from the $29,125 2012 Mitsubishi 'i' minicar to the 2012 Nissan Leaf, starting at $35,200.

2010 Fiat 500 BEV

Volumes of the electric Fiat will likely be low, perhaps only a few thousand--just enough to allow Chrysler-Fiat to meet its Zero Emission Vehicle mandate in the state of California. Other vehicles that will probably be limited to that purpose include the upcoming Toyota RAV4 EV and the Chevrolet Spark EV.

It's hardly the first time a Fiat 500 Elettra has been photographed on the street, however. We actually saw one in Palo Alto, California--the center of Silicon Valley (and hometown of High Gear Media)--in May 2010.

But perhaps the oddest twist to the 500 Elettra story is that recently executed Libyan strongman Muammar Khaddafi turned out to be a fan of electric Fiat 500 conversions.



Source: Green Car Reports

Chevrolet to Produce Spark EV All-Electric Vehicle Mini-car joins growing portfolio of electrified vehicles

PRESS RELEASE

Chevrolet today announced it will produce an all-electric version of the Chevrolet Spark mini-car – the Spark EV. It will be sold in limited quantities in select U.S. and global markets starting in 2013, including California.

"The Spark EV offers customers living in urban areas who have predictable driving patterns or short commutes an all-electric option," said Jim Federico, global vehicle chief engineer for electric vehicles at Chevrolet. "It complements Chevrolet's growing range of electrified vehicles, including the Volt extended-range EV and the 2013 Malibu Eco with eAssist technology."

Feedback from participants in Chevrolet's electric vehicle demonstration fleets in Shanghai (Sail EV), Korea (Cruze EV) and India (Beat EV) are being incorporated into the Spark EV.

"Our global demo fleets continue to provide insight into the needs of electric vehicle customers living in urban environments," said Federico. "The Spark EV is another step in Chevrolet's plan to provide customers with a variety of electrification solutions to address the lifestyle and transportation needs of people around the world."

A123 Systems will supply the advanced nanophosphate lithium-ion battery packs that will power the Spark EV. Details on specific markets, range, quantities and pricing will be announced later.

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 140 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Sonic, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended gasoline range, according to EPA estimates. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models, fuel solutions, and OnStar availability can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

2012 Chevy Sonic with 1.4L Turbo Hits 40 MPG on Highway

PRESS RELEASE

DETROIT – The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic with the Ecotec 1.4L turbo delivers an EPA-estimated 40 mpg on the highway with a six-speed manual transmission and city fuel economy of 29 mpg.

The Sonic's highway fuel economy makes it one of the most fuel-efficient small cars in the market, on par with the 2012 Ford Fiesta SFE and the 2012 Hyundai Accent. Along with getting 40 mpg, the 1.4L turbo Sonic can reach 60 mph in 8.2 seconds.

"Sonic changes the sub-compact stereotype and puts an end to the term 'econobox,'" said Joaquin Nuño-Whelan, Sonic vehicle line director and vehicle chief engineer. "The 1.4L turbo saves money at the gas pump and is a ridiculously fun car to drive. So, our buyers are getting a safe, exciting and fuel efficient car at a great price with the 1.4L turbo."

The Sonic is the only sub-compact car currently built in America. Production began earlier this summer at General Motors Orion Assembly facility in Lake Orion, Mich.

The Sonic's 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged engine is SAE certified at 138 horsepower (103 kW) – 18 horsepower (14 kW) more than Ford Fiesta and is essentially the same engine used in the Chevrolet Cruze in a smaller, lighter package designed for a greater feeling of performance. The turbo engine is also rated at 148 ft.-lbs. (200 Nm) of torque between 2,500 and 4,900 rpm. The wide rpm range for the maximum torque – a specific trait of turbocharged engines – helps the engine deliver a better driving experience and performance. Premium design elements give the engine smoothness and durability. Features include:

Low-mass hollow-frame cast iron block
Dual overhead camshafts with continuously variable valve timing
Chain-driven cams
Roller-finger camshaft followers
Piston-cooling oil jets and integrated oil cooler
Variable-flow oil pump
Electronically controlled thermostat.

The 1.4L's turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold, for reduced weight and greater packaging flexibility. A reinforced crankshaft and stronger connecting rods deliver additional strength to support the engine's pressurized power and torque over a wide rpm band.

The Sonic's 1.8L manual gets fuel economy of 26 mpg city and 35 mpg highway and the automatic gets 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.

"Our engineers wanted to bring a car with an athletic feel and an excellent ride and handling to a segment not known for excitement," said Nuño-Whelan. "Combine these driving characteristics with the 40-mpg fuel economy rating and we think we have a winning combination for Sonic drivers."

The suggested retail price of the Sonic begins at $14,495 including destination but excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees.

To learn more about Sonic, visit the Chevy Sonic Facebook page.

GM Testing 65 MPG Chevrolet Spark Diesel in India

Chevrolet is building a diesel spark that gets over 65 mpg – and that TCDi badge on the back of a black Chevy Sonic (caught testing by a sharp-eyed team-bhp forum member) is proof.

Don’t get too excited, though: despite the fact that this TCDI tester is based on the top-end LT variant (the rear wiper is the giveaway), GM will probably not offer a diesel Spark for sale in the US … and that’s a shame.

I like the Chevy Spark. Sure, I gave its marketers a tough time for peddling the car to kids, but I also said (in that same article) that “The Chevy Sonic is a solid car. It offers great gas mileage (over 40 mpg), respectable performance from a 1.4L turbocharged engine (138 hp, 18 more than Ford’s award-winning new Fiesta) and a close-ratio 6-speed manual that alone would have made it a “hot hatch” less than 20 years ago – all with modern safety (10 airbags!) and convenience features wrapped in an aggressive, sporty look.” All of those things are still true, of course – even the part about respectable performance, since the new TCDI is expected to deliver about 60 hp and more than 100 lb-ft of torque from its 1.0L 3-cylinder.

Granted, 60 hp isn’t enough to set the world on fire, but it’s more than the old 58 mpg Geo Metro had – and the Geo couldn’t hope to match the diesel Spark’s triple-digit torque figures (or projected 3.5L/100 km fuel economy), so this seems like exactly the kind of car GM could use to pump up its CAFE numbers here in the US.

Source: Gas2.0

General Motors Contemplates All-Electric Chevrolet Beat for India Market

General Motors of India announced last week that a pre-production version of its all-electric Chevrolet Beat mini-car would go on display in April to spur interest for what could become GM India’s second Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV).

In January 2010, at GM’s 10th Auto Expo, Chevrolet showcased its first BEV concept, the e-Spark mini-car, a project jointly created with long-established Indian electric automaker REVAi.

The e-Spark is scheduled to launch as India’s first 4-door electric passenger car by the end of 2011. The popular car was chosen as the first to electrify, even as GM also ramped up production for the internal-combustion-powered Spark, and the 100,000th model traversed the assembly line not long after.

Of the conventional Spark, Chevrolet – GM’s only Indian brand as of yet – says “it has already emerged as the most sought after mini car in its segment,” and won J.D. Powers’ accolades in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

At this point, GM says the electric Beat – also popular in gas-powered form – is not yet a certainty for production, but dependent on how much demand it can drum up, and government incentives it can help foster.

An electric-powered version of the Beat will be exhibited next month. (Gas-powered version shown. Photo courtesy of GM.)

Presently, incentives for Indian hybrid and electric automobiles include exemption from customs fees and breaks on other duty charges.

As of yet, we know little about the electric powertrain or performance capability for the prototype electric Beat. Requests for information from GM India were not returned before deadline.

Source: GM-Volt.com