Chevrolet Spark: World Premiere at Geneva Auto Show

The all-new Chevrolet Spark, making its world premiere at the Geneva auto show in March, is a small car designed to make a big statement. It's big on style, big on fuel economy and, like all products carrying the Chevrolet gold bowtie, big on refinement and value.

Its design breaks the mold for mini-cars and takes Chevrolet's signature styling elements to this vehicle segment in a youthful, fun and fashion-conscious way.

Spark was inspired by the Chevrolet Beat concept, the most popular of a trio of mini-car concepts that has toured international auto shows since 2007. A clear majority among 1.9 million internet voters said it was the car they wanted produced.

Exterior
The crisp lines of the five-door hatchback provide a wedge-like profile. Below Chevrolet's hallmark two-tier grille and headlamps that resemble diamond cut lines, the shape of the fog lamp housings and the "floating" lower air intake extend the sense of forward movement. Strong wheel arches accommodate up to 15-inch wheels to give the car a dynamic, ready-to-go stance.

The rear door handles are integrated into the upper part of the door to preserve the clean lines of rear quarter panel and wheel arches. In the rear, an integrated tailgate spoiler and Chevrolet's round tail lights add to Spark's appeal.

With an overall length of 3,640 mm and a generous 2,375 mm wheelbase, Spark offers a spacious cabin with outstanding leg and hip room in the front and rear.

Interior
The design of Spark's spacious cabin clearly matches its fun and fashion exterior look and functionality. A unique feature is the motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster. Mounted on the steering column, it provides easy- to- read information to the driver utilizing a combination of analog and digital displays.

With fresh colors and fabrics, exterior color schemes continue inside to Chevrolet's signature 'dual cockpit' layout and the door panels. Textured inserts flow from the instrument panel to each side of the cabin into the doors, adding another eye-catching element to the interior.

Spark also boasts a high level of interior acoustic refinements typical of larger vehicles.

Engines and safety
Sales will start in Europe featuring 1.0 and 1.2-liter 16-valve four-cylinder double overhead camshaft gasoline engines, delivering excellent fuel efficiency and low emissions.

Depending on global markets, safety equipment includes driver and passenger front air bags, front side airbags, roof rail head curtain airbags, antilock brakes and electronic stability control. Other safety features include pre-tensioners for front seat belts and three-point belts in the rear. Spark has been developed and is expected to achieve high crash test ratings.

Europe leads start of sales
Spark will be available in European dealerships early 2010, followed by other global regions. Spark is the newest in a series of all-new, globally developed Chevrolet vehicles that are defined by expressive design, refinement and value.

GM Rally Showcases 17 New and Upcoming Cars and Crossovers at North American International Auto Show

Image by gmeurope via Flickr

• Four NAIAS world premieres: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, 2010 Cadillac SRX and 2010 Buick LaCrosse; Cadillac Converj concept with Voltec electric propulsion technology

• Chevrolet will introduce two vehicles in the U.S. in 2011 following debuts in other global markets: the fuel-efficient Spark mini car; and Orlando, a seven-seat multi-purpose vehicle

DETROIT – General Motors opened the North American International Auto Show with a road rally of 17 new and upcoming cars and crossovers – including four global premieres – that underscores GM’s ongoing commitment to emotionally compelling design, leading fuel efficiency and advanced technology.

In addition to the four world premieres – the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, 2010 Cadillac SRX, 2010 Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac Converj concept – Chevrolet announced it will produce and bring to the U.S. the highly fuel-efficient Spark four-door mini car and seven-seat Orlando multi-purpose vehicle.

T he production version of the Spark will be unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show in March. Sales of Spark will begin in early 2010 in Europe, followed by other global regions. Originally seen as the Chevrolet Beat concept, the car drew nearly 2 million consumer votes asking GM to build it. Spark will hit U.S. showrooms in 2011.

A production version of the Orlando show car, introduced last fall at the Paris Motor Show, will also join Chevrolet showrooms in the U.S. in 2011. More details on GM’s global plans for Orlando will be announced in the near future.

The Cadillac Converj concept propels Cadillac’s acclaimed design into the future of luxury driving. The concept is a well-appointed grand touring coupe with a bold design, a host of interactive technologies and eco-friendly, renewable materials throughout. The four-passenger Converj concept is intended to show how GM's revolutionary Voltec electric propulsion system can meet the desires of luxury consumers.

“In many ways, today marks a new beginning for General Motors, as we dramatically accelerate and expand the restructuring that we’ve been driving in North America, and around the globe, for the past several years,” said GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner.

“Buried in all the financial news of recent months, is that we’ve made tremendous progress in recent years in making cars and trucks that consumers really want to buy,” Wagoner said. “At the same time, we’re committed to leading the industry on the most important issue we face over the next generation: the development of alternative-fuel propulsion.”

Here is a brand-by-brand look at today’s all-new or upcoming introductions:

Chevrolet

2010 Chevrolet Equinox (world premiere): When equipped with GM’s all-new 2.4L four-cylinder direct injection engine – one of two all-new engine choices – Equinox is expected to lead the segment in highway fuel economy, beating both the Toyota RAV-4 and Honda CR-V. The 2.4L-equipped five-seat crossover, filled with unexpected amenities for the price and influenced by the popular Malibu sedan and midsize Traverse crossover, achieves an estimated 30 mpg highway.

Chevrolet Spark: This four-door mini car combines youthful exterior and interior design with outstanding fuel economy. Spark was inspired by the popular Beat concept that recently swept the global auto show circuit. Spark will be sold in several markets around the globe starting in 2010 and hits the U.S. in 2011.

Chevrolet Orlando show car: Making its North American debut, Orlando is a compact, seven-seat multi-purpose vehicle based on the recently introduced Cruze compact sedan. Equipped with a fuel-efficient, four-cylinder engine, Orlando offers the versatile attributes of a sport-utility, family van and wagon. Like the Spark, the Orlando production vehicle debuts in U.S. markets in 2011.

Other Chevrolets in the product rally include the production design version of the Voltec-powered Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicle; the Chevrolet Malibu, 2008 North American Car of the Year; the upcoming 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, expected to achieve nearly 40 mpg on the highway; the fuel-efficient Chevrolet Aveo 5-door; and the much-anticipated 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, which already has 10,000 pre-orders.

Cadillac

Cadillac Converj concept (world premiere): The Cadillac Converj concept was developed as a well-appointed grand touring coupe with a bold design and a host of interactive technology. The four-passenger Converj is intended to show how GM’s revolutionary Voltec electric propulsion technology can power a luxury coupe with a typically Cadillac “no compromises” design. It enables up to 40 miles of gas- and emissions-free electric driving with extended-range capability of hundreds of miles.

2010 Cadillac SRX (world premiere) : Cadillac’s next-generation midsize luxury crossover features a completely new design and two efficient, high-technology V-6 engine choices as well as available advanced all-wheel-drive technology. The five-passenger crossover, with its CTS-inspired interior, is designed to appeal to both the emotional and pragmatic preferences of today’s luxury consumer. Production begins in the spring.

2010 CTS Sport Wagon: Cadillac’s first-ever North American wagon is a progressive take on the classic wagon body style that delivers significant functionality and fuel efficiency, including up to an estimated 28 mpg highway. Intended to connect with the changing priorities of luxury consumers, CTS Sport Wagon production begins in the spring. The CTS Sport Wagon, like its sedan predecessor (which also is part of the rally), includes available features such as all-wheel drive, a 40-gigabyte internal hard drive, pop-up navigation screen and a hand-cut-and-sewn interior with Sapele wood accents.

Buick

2010 Buick LaCrosse (world premiere): The completely redesigned 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan builds on the success of the popular Enclave crossover and continues Buick’s renaissance. LaCrosse offers all-wheel drive, a suite of advanced intelligent personal technologies and safety features, and a choice of two fuel-saving V-6 engines. The exterior design builds on the Buick Invicta show car introduced at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show.

Other vehicles featured in the GM rally conference include the Saturn Aura midsize sedan, the 2007 North American Car of the Year, with segment-leading highway fuel economy of 33 mpg; and the upcoming plug-in hybrid electric version of the Saturn Vue compact crossover. The Vue will use a modified version of GM’s two-mode hybrid system and plug-in technology, a lithium-ion battery pack, highly efficient electronics and powerful electric motors to potentially double the fuel efficiency of any current SUV.

GM also featured the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe, equipped with a removable roof that enables an open-air driving experience yet offers a greater range of all-season driving opportunities; and the just-launched Opel Insignia midsize sedan, the European member of GM’s global family of midsize sedans. Insignia was recently named 2009 European Car of the Year by a panel of 59 auto journalists representing 23 countries.

When the public steps inside the 121,000-square-foot GM display beginning Jan. 17, a dramatic entry leads to nearly 100 current GM vehicles as well as future product displays. Product stories – illustrated with touch screen computers, cut-away engines and transmissions and trained product specialists – focus on how GM, through design and technology, integrates fuel efficiency, safety and quality into its vehicles.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM employs about 252,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 34 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.