(August 4, 2012) DETROIT — The 2013 Chevrolet Spark, Chevrolet’s first mini car for the U.S. and Canadian markets, is a sporty four-passenger, five-door hatch. It is designed to excite first-time buyers and city dwellers with its bold styling and colors, affordability, the safety of 10 standard air bags, fuel efficiency and maneuverability.

The Spark should hit showrooms in late August or early September with a starting price of around $12,200.



Spark also is the only car in its segment to provide MyLink Radio — a seven-inch color touch screen radio capable of displaying smartphone-based music, videos, photos and contacts for hands-free calling. MyLink Radio comes with two embedded apps for Pandora internet radio and Stitcher Smart Radio and later, BringGo, an embedded app for full-function GPS navigation, will be available for purchase.

Though compact, Spark offers more passenger and cargo room than other mini-cars such as the Fiat 500, Smartfortwo and the Scion iQ. Equipped with the Ecotec 1.25-liter four-cylinder engine making 84 horsepower, Spark offers competitive EPA-estimated fuel economy of 38 mpg highway.

In the United States and Canada, the engine is paired with a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic transmission.

The Spark achieves an EPA-estimated 34 mpg in combined city and highway driving with the manual transmission, and 32 mpg with the automatic transmission.

The Spark is already on sale globally. In the U.S. and Canada, Spark is offered in LS, 1LT and 2LT models.

“Spark is ideal for active city dwellers because it is easy to drive, easy to park and easy to own,” said Chris Perry, Global Chevrolet vice president for marketing. “For these customers, Spark is their key to the city.”

Chevrolet says that in a segment of “cute” cars, Spark’s solid, powerful stance is designed to challenge the status quo, and its interior reflects refinement, craftsmanship and personal technologies normally associated with larger, more expensive vehicles.

While the Spark looks like a three-door hatch, designers cleverly disguised the rear doors by integrating the handles into the C-pillar area. The technique gives Spark its sporty appearance without sacrificing five-door comfort and utility. An integrated spoiler over the rear hatch door enhances Spark’s dynamic appearance while also improving the car’s aerodynamics, for fuel efficiency.

The Spark’s prominent two-tier grille and bowtie logo preserve Chevrolet’s signature global look. A wheels-out, body-in stance, stretched windshield accentuated by a single arc roofline, body-color front door handles and body sides free of cladding make the Spark appear more sleek, aggressive and upscale. Spark’s wheels-at-the-corners stance is further emphasized by standard 15-inch aluminum wheels.

One look at the Spark’s color palette proves designers intended for it to stand out in a crowd.  For buyers who are all about self-expression, attention-grabbing exterior finishes include Salsa Red, Jalapeno, Denim, Lemonade (late availability) and Techno Pink, as well as traditional hues such as Black Granite, Silver Ice and Summit White.

Spark’s interior complements its sporty exterior with comfort, spaciousness and style. Its most identifiable element is a motorcycle-inspired column-mounted instrument cluster that features one of two large, full-color LCD screens and provides digital feedback to the driver in a design that’s bold, fun and easy to view at a glance.

Spark’s body-frame-integral structure is tight and stiff for sportier driving dynamics. The electric power steering and MacPherson strut front suspension are designed to deliver taut, tight handling characteristics that better connect the driver with the road and provide outstanding overall stability. Anti-lock brakes, StabiliTrak electronic stability control and Hill Start Assist are standard.

Hill Start Assist helps prevent drivers from rolling when restarting from a stopped position on a hill. It allows drivers to take their foot off the brake long enough to use the accelerator and move forward.

Spark also has a tight turning circle of only 32.5 feet (9.9 meters), which enhances its maneuverability in urban areas.