Chevrolet Balances Its Lineup with Smallest American-Built Cars
The name Chevrolet conjures images of Corvettes and pickup trucks, but that could all change after the Chevrolet Spark minicar and subcompact Chevrolet Sonic debut in the United States. As the smallest vehicle to ever wear a bowtie badge, the Chevy Spark will become the smallest American-built car when it debuts at Chevy dealers in the first half of 2012 as a 2013 model. In the meantime, the 2012 Chevy Sonic will temporarily hold that same honor after it is released this fall.
Featuring aggressive, sharp looks and larger dimensions, the Chevy Spark has evolved from its minimalist roots in Asia to a design that should better meet the tastes of discerning U.S. consumers. Adding the Spark to its lineup will give Chevy a presence in every automotive segment for the first time in the United States. The Spark will enter the A segment reserved for minicars while the Sonic resides in the B subcompact segment, just under the C-segment 2012 Chevy Cruze compact car.
"Chevy has put a lot of time and research into their new small cars," said Tony Dillberg, general manager of Quirk Chevrolet, a Manchester, New Hampshire Chevy dealer. "They have come out with subcompact cars in the past, but the Spark and Sonic manage to still look like sporty cars instead of tiny boxes. Of course, they'll still provide the fuel-savings and low price point expected of the segment, but unlike other small cars they'll hide it better."
While other minicars have erred to the side of cuteness, Chevy has taken the Spark in a more aggressive direction. The Spark features large angular headlights and sharp body lines that make it look distinctly more predatory than the competition. While specs on the American-built Spark have yet to be confirmed, its projected weight of 2,300 pounds should mean brisk acceleration to go along with the excellent fuel economy expected of a minicar.
Stylists took an aggressive approach to the Chevy Sonic subcompact as well, fitting the front end with large trapezoidal headlights and two small grills. Edgy details continue around the rest of the vehicle, which features incision-like creases on the flanks and taillights to match.
The Sonic will also have the bite to match its bark, sharing engines with the slightly larger Chevy Cruze. The standard unit is a 1.8-liter mill with 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque, and there is a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine producing the same horsepower but with an added 23 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged unit enables the Chevy Cruze ECO to net 42 mpg on the highway, which should mean similarly excellent economy for the Sonic.
"It's a new era for Chevrolet," Dillberg added. "American consumers want high-quality small cars that deliver excitement, refinement and fuel efficiency, and Chevrolet is stepping up to fulfill a demand that was typically met in the past by foreign automakers. The Cruze has already won the hearts of fuel-conscious American drivers, and I suspect the Spark and Sonic will soon do the same."
Article Found At: Chevy's Small-Car Era Starts with a Spark (and a Sonic)
), the 2013 Chevrolet Spark will be made in South Korea and it will be imported to the USA.