Detroit Preview: 2010 Chevy Spark beats a path to the web
by Alex Nunez on Jan 10th 2009 at 8:45PM 
As the hours wind down before the 2009 Detroit Auto Show finally kicks off in the morning, more vehicles are leaking through the manufacturers' embargo nets. The latest addition to the list is the 2010 Chevy Spark, teased earlier this week on Today by GM design honcho Ed Welburn. Spark is the production version of the Chevy Beat concept that made its debut alongside the Trax and Groove at New York two years ago. Beat was the winner of a public poll to see which of the three microcar concepts would make it to production. We also know that Beat/Spark's going to get some time in the limelight as a character in this summer's Transformers sequel.
The itsy-bitsy new "world car" has grown a second set of doors in production trim, but otherwise, its styling remains remarkably true to the Beat show car. Roof rails hint at real-world practicality, and the fact that GM is choosing Detroit to unveil it suggests that maybe, just maybe, we'll see it here after all. We'll know more as the show gets officially underway, but we can say one thing: it's more interesting than the car it's set to replace in other markets. We'll have plenty more when we see it up close.
[Source: WCF via CarSpyShots]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gordio 9:04PM (1/10/2009)
Aw the four door thing makes it look worse...the two door version was cool.
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gorr 10:27PM (1/10/2009)
Well, these little cars can be fun to drive.
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Pudge 10:48PM (1/10/2009)
It looks like they put an attractive concept car through the ugly machine. What a shame.
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emdee 3:14AM (1/11/2009)
Okay, it looks really nice. However, the concept looked even better. What is it with car companies not being faithful to the concept?
It might as well be a completely different car. Now what I want to know is, what's the size/price range of this thing. Is it the size and price of the Matiz or will it be a step above it and be more expensive?
They really need to replace the Matiz with something cooler and if this is it, I certainly approve.
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Red 4:23AM (1/11/2009)
This car will replace the Matiz. It's about 3 inches narrower and an inch shorter than a Mini Cooper.
On a side note, it will be called the "Beat" everywhere it is sold except China, where it will be named "Spark".
@ Gordio,
It's more cost-effective for them to build a single four-door model, but both the Trax and Groove made better-looking four-doors, in my honest opinion.
Gordio 12:31PM (1/11/2009)
I agree. I actually liked the boxy one of the three, the one that looks like a mini-jeep, which i thought is cute b/c it definitely looks "American," despite it's small size. (I prefer japanese cars (i drive a fit), but i really want american autos to succeed so it concerns me that car looks like that)
emdee 4:42AM (1/11/2009)
Once they get this one done, it wouldn't be a huge step to offer a Trax or Groove with the same innards.
Will they do it is another question, but expanding the small car lineup they have wouldn't be a bad idea at all.
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Tobes 11:16PM (1/11/2009)
THe Matiz is actually called the Spark (in Chile at least and more south american countries probably) so this is almost certainly a replacement for the matiz.
The concept looked way better, but this is still a step up from the Matiz.
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Bob 3:08PM (5/29/2009)
In California, the biggest car market, these won't fly.
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