The Chevrolet Spark is a city car produced by GM Korea, originally marketed prominently as the Daewoo Matiz. It has been available solely as a five-door hatchback.
The first generation of Daewoo Matiz was launched in 1998 by General Motors' South Korean division GM Korea, previously known as Daewoo Motors, replacing the Daewoo Tico. After the General Motors company took control over Daewoo Motors in 2002, it has increasingly been marketed under the Chevrolet badge. The second generation model was introduced in 2005, with the third generation launched in 2010.
An all-electric version, the Chevrolet Spark EV, was released in the U.S. in selected markets in California and Oregon in June 2013. The Spark EV was the first all-electric passenger car marketed by General Motors since the EV1 was discontinued in 1999.
First generation (M100, M150; 1998â€"2005)
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M100 (1998â€"2000)
The production of Daewoo Matiz started in 1998 and it was sold in South Korea and many European markets with the code name M100. The exterior design is based on the Lucciola, a 1993 Fiat Cinquecento concept by Italdesign Giugiaro which had been rejected by Fiat. The 0.8-litre gasoline engine and the transmission were carryovers from the Daewoo Tico, but it was now using a multipoint injection fuel system. Engineering was carried out at Daewoo's Worthing Technical Centre in England. The car became the best selling Daewoo model in Europe and in India for the next four years.
The Matiz was originally launched with just a 0.8-litre straight-three engine. It developed a maximum power of 51 hp (38 kW), a maximum torque of 68.5 Nâ‹…m (51 lbâ‹…ft) and had a combined consumption of 6.4 l/100 km (44 mpgâ€'imp). It had a top speed of 144 km/h (89 mph) and could reach from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 17 seconds. This engine was developed from the Tico unit by Tickford, a UK company based in Milton Keynes. The Tickford connection was acknowledged in the brochures distributed in UK showrooms.
It was released mainly with three trim levels: E, S and SE. The latter had air conditioning, wheel covers, body-colored bumpers, rear spoiler, fog lights and a stereo, with optional features such as roof rails, power steering, central locking, electric front windows, ABS and driver airbag. In certain markets it was also available with an automatic transmission.
M150 (2000â€"2005)
This facelift was designed at Daewoo's Worthing Technical Centre in England and introduced in South Korea in late 2000, and exported from 2001. The front-end structure was modified to accommodate a four-cylinder engine, although the introduction of this engine, the 1.0-litre S-Tec unit, was delayed until after Daewoo's takeover by General Motors in 2002.
M150 is still produced by GM-Uzbekistan (previously UzDaewooAuto) in Uzbekistan. The car was launched to the Russian market as the Ravon Matiz in 2016 but discontinued soon. In South Korea and Japan this updated Matiz was sold under the name Daewoo Matiz II.
Lechi
In China the car was sold as the Chevrolet Lechi. It remained in production until 2012, when an updated version was introduced as the Baojun Lechi. It is to be offered under both Chevrolet and Baojun brands during a transition period. The Lechi has also received certain powertrain updates, making the car economical enough to qualify for a subsidy and a tax break from the Chinese government.
Safety
Euro NCAP test results for a RHD, 5-door hatchback variant on a 2000 registration:
Engines
It featured a range of two petrol engines, which had the following specifications:
Copying controversy
The Chery QQ3, then known as the Chery QQ, became the center of an industrial copyright and intellectual rights controversy, as General Motors claimed the car was a copy of the Daewoo Matiz. GM executives demonstrated the extent of the design duplication, noting for example that the doors of the QQ and those of the Spark are interchangeable without modification.
GM China Group indicated the two vehicles "shared remarkably identical body structure, exterior design, interior design and key components" MotorAuthority.com and Car and Driver called the QQ a "carbon copy", while the International Herald Tribune, in a 2005 article, referred to it as a clone.
The Detroit News reported that "the dispute reflects the confusion, risks and ambitions in China's new auto industry, where global carmakers are battling pugnacious upstarts for a piece of what may become the world's largest auto market."
Second generation (M200, M250; 2005â€"2009)
In 2005 the Matiz received substantial modifications (M200), previewed by the Chevrolet M3X concept car shown at 2004 Paris Motor Show. The upper body was significantly revised based again on a design from Italdesign Giugiaro, the S-Tec engines were updated and the car's drag coefficient was lowered, resulting in better fuel economy. The interior was also significantly revised, one notable feature of this car being its centre-mounted instrument cluster. The platform was also revised, with a twist-beam rear suspension system replacing the previous 3-link beam axle, and the front suspension making use of cast, rather than pressed and fabricated, lower control arms.
In 2008, the 800cc engine was revised to fall below the 120g/km level, thus qualifying for the UK's £35 road tax band and no London congestion charge.
In Europe it was sold under the names Chevrolet Matiz and Chevrolet Spark. In Italy there was an LPG version called Chevrolet Matiz Eco Logic. The Matiz Eco Logic was built from 2007 to 2010 in over 60,000 vehicles by BRC Gas Equipment in Cherasco, Cuneo (Italy).
In South Korea, where it was sold only with an 800 cc engine and following the introduction of M300 Matiz (Matiz Creative), the M200 Matiz was renamed to Matiz Classic.
It was sold in over 2.3 million units worldwide during the first 10 years of production.
As of 2011, VIDAMCO of Vietnam produces the Matiz M200 as the Chevrolet Spark Lite in complete knock-down (CKD) form at its Hanoi production facility.
In India, the local manufacturer GM India produced two special editions of this generation: the Chevrolet Spark LPG, a version equipped with a sequential injection-type LPG kit, unveiled on the World Environment Day in New Delhi, and the Chevrolet Spark Muzic, introduced in 2009.
The model remains in the Chevrolet's offering in Pakistan, India, Vietnam, and Colombia (as well as in several other South American countries), where it is also produced.
Safety
Euro NCAP test results for a 5-door hatchback variant on a 2005 registration:
Engines
Third generation (M300; 2009â€"2015)
The redesigned Matiz (codenamed M300) was launched in 2009 and is based on the 2007 Chevrolet Beat concept car. Although sold globally as the Chevrolet Spark, in India this model retains the Beat name from the concept car, as the second generation Spark continues to be sold in this market. Prior to the 2011 elimination of the Daewoo marque in South Korea, the third generation Spark was marketed as the Daewoo Matiz Creative.
Concept
The Chevrolet Beat was unveiled at the 2007 New York International Auto Show alongside two other concept vehicles, the Trax and the Groove. The Beat is a front-drive, three-door hatchback concept, derived from the Daewoo Kalos. It was built in India, and designed by GM Daewoo in South Korea. It is powered by a 1.2Â L turbocharged gasoline engine mated to an automatic transmission.
This version was featured in the Michael Bay movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen as Skids alongside the GM Trax mini-SUV. The Beat concept sports a Vertigo Green exterior paint job with the same hue carried over to parts of the interior. Its profile is high at the rear and tapering down evenly to the front of the grille. Headlights that appear to extend all the way from the base of the grille to the base of the windshield are LED-type. Oversize 17Â inch wheels barely hide the matching green paint of disc brakes. Twin taillights that extend upward to the back-up lights are also LEDs.
In early 2007, GM conducted a poll testing the relative popularity of the Beat, Trax and Groove concepts on a Chevrolet website, with the Beat receiving nearly 50% of the vote, which ultimately determined the car making it into production.
GM displayed a prototype woodie version of the forthcoming Chevrolet Spark for the 2010 Paris Motor Show.
Production
GM presented a pre-production version of the Chevrolet Beat carrying the Chevrolet Spark nameplate at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. The production version was announced at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, but only the Beat concept was shown at the time. The production Chevrolet Spark was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. It became available in Europe in the first quarter of 2010, followed by other markets worldwide, with US sales set to begin in early 2012. Commercial production of a 5-door Chevrolet Beat started from December 15, 2009, in Halol, Gujarat, India. It was launched in India on January 5, 2010, during Auto Expo New Delhi, India.
The GM Daewoo Matiz version was unveiled in Seoul Motor Show 2009.
The Holden version, named Barina Spark, was revealed at the 2010 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney in October.
With M300, the original Suzuki platform was replaced by GM Global Small Vehicles platform, developed by GM Daewoo engineers.
In North America, the Spark was first delivered to GM dealerships in Mexico for the 2012 model year, but did not replace the Chevrolet Matiz (formerly Pontiac G2 Matiz), which was sold until 2014. The United States version of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark went into production on April 16, 2012, and arrived in dealerships in August 2012. For 2014 in North America, the automatic transmission is a Jatco M4M-CVT7 Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and the final drive ratio lowered to 3.75. The CVT gives better fuel mileage overall than the previous 4 speed automatic, and changing the final drive ratio from its previous 4.145 reduces engine noise and increases fuel economy on the highway while increasing noise and reducing fuel mileage in the city. Industry sources have commented on the ongoing reliability issues with the Jatco CVT transmissions.
Reported by Edmunds.com the 2013 Spark was the fastest selling car in the United States for July 2012, with just 6 days from when they arrived at dealers to when they were sold.
Beat diesel
General Motors launched the diesel version of Chevrolet Beat in the Indian auto market on July 25, 2011. The 3-cylinder, 936 cc turbodiesel engine produces 62.5 PS and 160.26 Nm of torque, resulting in good acceleration and pick up. The 1.0 L, 936 cc diesel engine enables the car to reach 100Â km/h in 16 seconds and a top speed of 143Â km/h. Chevrolet Beat Diesel offers mileage of 24 kpl (56 mpg) as per the ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) test reports. The engine is based on the Fiat Multijet diesel technology.
Regional variations
- Europe: Engine choices include 1.0 and 1.2-litre I4 engines. In Italy there is an LPG version of the Spark called the Chevrolet Spark Eco Logic with BRC Gas Equipment as of the end of 2009. This bi-fuel version is available with the 1.0 and 1.2 engines (both with 16 valves) with 113 to 119 g of CO2 emissions respectively. While the LPG cars are still available in Italy, in France the LPG versions were only available from 2009 till 2012.
- India: Production of the New Spark, badged as the Beat, has started at Halol Plant near Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. Initially the car will be sold in India and Far Eastern countries. The second generation Spark is sold alongside. The car uses a 1.2 L S-TEC II engine capable of petrol and LPG, marketed as SMARTECH II. GM India was reported to build an electric version of Chevrolet Spark with Reva Electric Car Company. However, after the acquisition of Reva Electric Car Company by Mahindra & Mahindra, GM India dropped the plans, and is working on its own electric version
- United States: marketed as the Chevrolet Spark, the car uses a special up-stroked version of the "S-TEC" engine (RPO code LL0).
- South Korea: The Matiz version was renamed to Matiz Creative. The car has a 1.0Â L S-TEC II engine with 4-speed automatic transmission. Sales began on September 1, 2009. The Groove name used in one of the rejected concepts returned as a trim level. In 2011, this car is renamed as Chevrolet Spark, as part of phasing out the Daewoo brand in South Korea, making way for the Chevrolet brand.
- Australia: the Spark was released in October 2010 as the MJ series Holden Barina Spark. It comes in two guises; CD and CDX.
- Uzbekistan: the Chevrolet Spark was released on August 26, 2010. It comes in three trim levels: L (1.0Â L manual), LS (1.0Â L manual/auto) and LT (1.2Â L manual).
- Russia: the Uzbekistan-made Spark has been sold in Russia as the Ravon R2 since 2016. It is available with the 1.2Â L engine and automatic gearbox.
Domino's DXP
The Domino's DXP (short for "Delivery eXPert") is a 2015 Spark customized by Roush Performance for Domino's Pizza. For this car, the front and rear passenger seats are removed and replaced with storage compartments that can carry 80 pizzas, two 2-liter bottles of soda, and dipping sauces. The left rear passenger door is converted into a warming oven that can only be unlocked with the key fob or a button within the driver's door frame. Production is limited to less than 200 units and once each car reaches 100,000 miles, it will be retired and returned to Roush, where it will be restored to stock form and sold as a used Spark. Despite the intentions of Domino's to eventually retire the DXP and leave none remaining, several wrecked DXPs have been salvaged by private individuals with the intention of retaining them as rare cars when the rest of the fleet is retired. The situation resulted in lawsuit by Domino's.
Safety
Engines
Spark EV
In October 2011, General Motors announced the production of the Chevrolet Spark EV, an all-electric version of the third-generation Chevrolet Spark, with availability limited to select markets. The production version was unveiled at the November 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Within the framework of GM's vehicle electrification strategy, the Spark EV was the first all-electric passenger car marketed by General Motors in the U.S. since the EV1 was discontinued in 1999. The Spark EV was released in the U.S. in selected markets in California and Oregon in June 2013. The electric car has gone on sale in Maryland in the second quarter of 2015, the first East Coast state where the Spark EV is available. As of December 2014, U.S. sales totaled 1,684 units.. The Spark EV was discontinued in December of 2016, when Chevrolet began selling the Bolt, which had a much longer range..
In October 2012, GM Korea announced it would start making and selling the Spark EV in Korea in 2013. Retail sales began in South Korea in October 2013. GM also announced plans to sell the Spark EV in limited quantities in Canada and select European markets. It is available in Canada for fleet sales.
The electric car was first powered by a 21.3 kWh Lithium iron phosphate battery pack supplied by A123 Systems. In a white-paper, A123 described the difference of its nano-phosphate technology with respect to other Lithium iron phosphate cells.
The 2014 production version featured a 97Â kW (130Â hp) motor, providing 542Â Nâ‹…m (400Â lbâ‹…ft) of torque. The Spark EV can be fast-charged to 80% of capacity in 20 minutes using an optional CCS/SAE Combo Type 1 connector, and charging time increases to about seven hours using a dedicated 240-volt charging station or about 17 hours using a standard household 120-volt outlet.
In 2014, for the 2015 model year, the battery pack supplier was changed to LG Chem which resulted in a smaller capacity pack (19Â kWh) while maintaining the same EV range. The drive ratio was also changed from 3.17 to 3.87 as well, with torque reduced to 443Â Nâ‹…m (327Â ftâ‹…lb).
Fourth generation (M400; 2015â€"present)
The fourth-generation Spark was unveiled at the April 2015 New York International Auto Show. It went on sale in the fourth quarter of 2015. It is closely related to the Opel Karl.
A demonstration model was shown using Apple's CarPlay dashboard. On May 27, 2015, Chevrolet announced that the Spark will also come equipped with Android Auto Capability features. However, only one of their phone brands at any one time can be used.
In North America, the all-new Spark (the second generation of Spark to be sold in the North American market) will be available in three distinct models: the base 1LS, the midrange 1LT, and the top-of-the-line 2LT. All Sparks include an array of standard features:
- 1.4 L, 1,399 cc (85 cu in) LV7 DOHC I4 (gasoline) producing 98 hp (73 kW) and 94 pound-feet (127 N⋅m) torque
- Korean domestic version is 1.0Â L engine.
- Chevrolet MyLink seven-inch (7") diagonal touch-screen infotainment system w/ A/M-F/M radio, Apple CarPlay w/ Siri Eyes-Free, Android Auto, iPod/USB input jacks, Bluetooth hands-free calling w/ wireless A2DP stereo audio streaming capabilities, SiriusXM Satellite Radio w/ three-month (3mo.) trial subscription, Bringo GPS navigation via compatible smartphones, pinch-and-zoom gesture capabilities, and full voice command via smartphone
- OnStar in-vehicle telematics system w/ OnStar 4G LTE and 1-year (1yr.) trial subscription (three-month/3mo. trial subscription or three gigabytes (3GB) trial of OnStar 4G LTE subscription included)
- Front SRS and front and rear SRS side-impact airbags
- Air conditioning
- Traction control, stability control, and anti-lock braking system (ABS)
The higher-end models will offer these features in addition to the features all Sparks will offer:
- Exterior color-keyed interior trim panels (1LT and 2LT models)
- Leatherette-trimmed seats (2LT model only)
- Keyless entry w/ power windows and door locks (1LT and 2LT models)
- Six (6)-speaker sound system (1LT and 2LT models)
- Sixteen-inch (16") alloy wheels and tires (1LT and 2LT models)
- Front fog lamps (standard equipment on 2LT model, available as an accessory on 1LS and 1LT models)
Global marketing and manufacture
Asia
In India, it was launched in 1999 as the Daewoo Matiz. In 2007, General Motors India launched the Chevrolet M3X concept based third generation, as the Chevrolet Spark. In Japan, the Matiz was sold under the GM Daewoo brand through the Yanase Co., Ltd. dealership network, but was considered a "compact car" due to the length, width and engine displacement exceeding the Kei car regulations. In the Philippines, the Matiz was available during the years 1999â€"2000 through the grey market. In 2007, it was released under the name Chevrolet Spark. In Pakistan, the car was initially introduced as Chevrolet Exclusive in 2003. From 2005â€"2009 it was manufactured by Nexus Automotive under the name Chevrolet Joy, which has now been replaced by the newer M200 series and is currently sold as the Chevrolet Spark. In Taiwan, the Matiz was sold under the Formosa brand between 2001 and 2009.
Europe
From 1998 until 2004, the Matiz was sold in Europe under the Daewoo badge. In 2004, it took the Chevrolet marque, as well as the other South Korean models of General Motors, such as the Lacetti and Kalos. Since 2000, CKD kits have been supplied to UzDaewooAuto, FSO and Rodae, to be built and sold in Uzbekistan, Poland and Romania respectively. At the beginning of 2005, FSO began marketing the Matiz under their own brand. New models of the Chevrolet Matiz are sold as the Chevrolet Spark in the UK, due to a rename in 2010.
The Americas
In Mexico, the Matiz was introduced to the market in 2003. The 2006 model was renamed to Pontiac Matiz G2. It was also sold as Pontiac Matiz and Pontiac G2. The Pontiac G2 was discontinued in Mexico after a short run of 2010 models as the brand was closed by General Motors. The new version was officially launched as the Chevrolet Spark in August 2010, and the Matiz continues to be sold alongside the Spark. An M300-based vehicle is currently in production in Brazil as a replacement for the Chevrolet Celta. In Colombia, the Matiz was imported by Daewoo distributors between 2002 and 2005 and then GM Colmotores began to assemble and sell it branded as Chevrolet Spark. In 2006, a taxi version called 7/24 was launched. In Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela, it is sold as the Chevrolet Spark. In Argentina, the first generation was sold as the Daewoo Matiz through Daewoo importers. The second generation was sold as Chevrolet Spark through Chevrolet dealers. Since 2011, the third generation is available. In Chile, Ecuador, and Peru, the former version is sold as the Chevrolet Spark, and the latest version as the Chevrolet Spark GT. In Paraguay, it was initially sold as Daewoo Matiz, but from 2008, it is sold through Chevrolet dealers.
In North America, the Spark is available in three distinct models: the 1LS, 1LT, and 2LT, as well as the EV. The equipment on these models are as follows:
1LS: Power windows, cloth seating surfaces w/color-keyed inserts, color-keyed interior trim, fifteen-inch alloy wheels, A/M-F/M stereo w/auxiliary audio input jack, four speakers, four-passenger seating, fold-down rear split seat, OnStar, air conditioning, I4 engine, 6-speed manual transmission, front-wheel-drive, and more.
1LT adds: Power door locks, Security system, A/M-F/M touch-screen MyLink stereo w/USB and auxiliary audio input jacks, Bluetooth w/Stereo Streaming and app capabilities, and SIRIUS-XM Satellite Radio, steering wheel-mounted audio system controls, six speakers, and cruise control.
2LT adds: Leatherette seating surfaces, power driver's seat, continuously variable transmission (CVT), and alloy wheels w/black-painted accents.
The EV is based on the 2LT model, and adds unique alloy wheels with black-painted accents, replaces the I4 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission with an electric motor, a fixed, 3.87 ratio reduction gear, and closes off the front grill due to being entirely electric.
Africa
In South Africa, General Motors South Africa (GMSA) announced on October 2, 2010, plans to manufacture the new Chevrolet Spark at its Port Elizabeth plant. The second generation Spark is still sold, though branded as a 'Spark Lite'.
Middle East
In Iran, the Matiz was produced (first imported and later assembled) and known as Daewoo Matiz. In Israel, UMI (Universal Motors Israel) announced on January 18, 2011 the marketing commencement of the 1.2L Chevrolet Spark model.
See also
- Opel Karl
Notes
References
External links
- Official website for U.S.
- Chevrolet Spark EV
