IT’S the little car that’s aiming to gain a big reputation.
How many cars, even budget models, can you buy for a shade over £7,000? Not many.
How many of these offer a stylish looking little runabout that offers ABS anti-lock brakes, power steering, six airbags, tinted windows, height adjustable headlamps and ISOFIX child seat system and immobiliser as standard?
Well clearly Chevrolet’s baby is a bright Spark that won’t break the bank.
The basic model is obviously well-equipped, while the Plus trim with the 1.0-litre engine, comes with air conditioning, electric front windows and central locking, along with a USB compatible four-speaker stereo.
Up the range the LS adds a choice of an 81PS 1.2-litre engine, and adds remote central locking, silver trim detailing, a sunglasses holder, 14-inch wheels, body-coloured door handles and mirrors, a chrome-effect grille surround, front fog lamps and a body-coloured rear spoiler.
For and extra £500, customers can add a plus pack – the LS+ gets smart alloy wheels, electric windows front and rear, a trip computer, heated electric door mirrors, roof bars and steering wheel audio controls.
The range-topping LT, which comes with the 1.2-litre engine only, comes with a level of equipment you’d normally expect of a much larger and more expensive car, including 15-inch alloys, climate control, an exterior body kit and a six-speaker stereo.
The LT does, however, break the £10,000 barrier and at that price faces some pretty excellent, established competition.
What’s more, the Spark will be cheap to run – as well as economy of up to 55mpg, the base model qualifies for the lowest insurance grouping, £30 per annum road fund licence, and if anyone picks one as a company vehicle, the lowest benefit in kind taxation at 10 per cent.
It may be a small car but it offers funky styling with bold lines, large elliptical headlamps and, on some models, integrated roofbars, plus a decent quality interior with large glass areas allowing plenty of light into the cabin.
The smallest car in the growing range of Chevrolet models, the firm says the city car been designed to appeal to a worldwide market.
It does have appeal, but you do get what you pay for.
Despite the high levels of standard kit, the interior plastics and trim feel cheap and the doors have a tinny sound when closing.
The seats however are firm and comfortable and adjustable and for driver and passenger there is loads of leg and headroom.
Instrumentation is clear and concise and laid out logically and does feel sturdy.
Space in the rear, as in all city cars, is restricted with room for two passengers, although you would not want to travel too far as a rear seat passenger.
The boot is not the biggest with 170 litres, but the rear seats split and fold flat to give a decent amount of extra stowage space of 568 lites
There is a choice of engines, the 1.0 litre petrol and the 1.2 81 bhp unit in the model tested.
It is not the most refined engine and despite only pulling a small body has to be worked hard through the gears to get it going at any pace, while the gearbox is on the notchy side.
At a time when many are counting the pennies, the Spark offers cheap motoring as well as a five-year, 100,000 mile warranty. Food for thought for those on a budget.
FAST FACTS
Chevrolet Spark 1.2 LT
Price: £10,485
Mechanical: 1,206cc, 81bhp, petrol engine driving front wheels via five-speed manual transmission
Max speed: 102 mph
0-62mph: 12.3 secs
Combined mpg: 55.5 mpg
Insurance group (0-50): 6
CO2 emissions: 119g/km
BiK rating: 10%
Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles