The New Chevy Spark

[Natesriv]

check this out...uses a 1.4L engine...hmmmmm
Press Release


Innovation is the Spark behind Chevrolet's Minicar

- Redesigned, more refined global minicar offers greater efficiency, safety and connectivity

- New 1.4L engine offers 16 percent more horsepower than current model

- New available active safety features include Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Side Blind Spot Alert

- On sale in the fourth quarter of 2015

 

[Natesriv]

Unless Sonic sales are robust, I can see where some would argue that a new Sonic isn't justified... They seem to be moving a lot of Sparks (I see 2 or 3 a day)

I sure hope not!!

 

[hammrdwn510]

1.4T swap????

 

[andrewjc]

Not bad at all if had the turbo in it that would be sweet!

 

[Natesriv]

no turbo mentioned just said the 1.4 at 96HP for that, not bad, but definately not 140hp

 

[andrewjc]

I was just wishing out loud on the turbo. On balance it's a nice looking car.

 

[poncho167]

I think I read they upgraded the CVT. The one I drove stayed in the higher rpm's (3,000 or so) before coming back down with moderate pedal pressure. It did go if you put your foot in it and would cruse nicely at 60 mph.

 

[ChicksHateMe]

I drove one, and it was a day after a snow storm. The noise of the dirt and slush hitting the underbody drove me insane. It was SO LOUD. That's when I ruled it out. It may be OK for a city car or First car, but it wouldn't be my first choice. I gave my daughters TANKS as their first cars

I felt the move up to the Sonic was well worth the added cost.

 

[cbpldc]

Google "Opel Karl".

Someone photoshopped an OPC version (imagine if Preloader got one):

I believe the hot rod version of the car will be called the "Hot Karl".

That's what I heard anyways.

Chris

 

[Swordsmith]

[stewart]Do NOT google that[/stewart]

 

[Stew]

[stewart]Do NOT google that[/stewart]

You got it!

Stewart

 

[The Champ]

Unless Sonic sales are robust, I can see where some would argue that a new Sonic isn't justified... They seem to be moving a lot of Sparks (I see 2 or 3 a day)

I sure hope not!!

Sonic outsold the Spark by over 2 to 1 last year - 39,000 Sparks vs over 93,000 Sonics. I don't see that trend changing.

 

[laborsmith]

93K! Wow! Orion target was 80K Sonic and 60K Verano. I knew due to lagging Verano sales the Sonic increased its number but had no idea it had made it to 90K.

The Spark target is a small niche market, basically cities near the USA's south Pacific and north Atlantic coasts whereas the Sonic's target is to a more general USA-Canada market.

Given the dollars GM has spent and is spending on the Orion Assembly and Pontiac Stamping plants a new generation Sonic looks likely to me.


Laborsmith

 

[The Champ]

Verano barely broke 43,000.

Believe it or not, the best selling Buick in the USA is the Buick Encore - based on the Sonic.

It's outselling the Enclave, the Verano, Regal, LaCrosse.

Why GM kept Buick instead of Pontiac??? Well, I actually know why - Buick is the hottest selling brand in China...

 

[rodslinger]

Why GM kept Buick instead of Pontiac??? ..

Because fake plastic ribs only belong on condoms and Halloween skeletons, not a decorative feature on a car body.

 

[The Champ]

Because fake plastic ribs only belong on condoms and Halloween skeletons, not a decorative feature on a car body.

One of the best cars available in the U.S. the last year of Pontiac production - I don't see any "ribs" on the G8 GXP...

 

[rodslinger]

One of the best cars available in the U.S. the last year of Pontiac production - I don't see any "ribs" on the G8 GXP...

Thank Holden for that one and I think Pontiac had mostly got their head out of their asses by that point. I'm referring to the trend of ugly they put out for several years. A lot of their stuff was covered in ugly plastic like below.

 

[Natesriv]

There WAS a time when Pontiac had some hit cars... The early Grand Am's were pretty nice for their day

Too bad the Quad 4 engine was a dud...

 

[The Champ]

I knew that you were referring to that brief period of the Grand Am.

But Buick built plenty of cars that weren't very good looking or exciting. There top selling vehicle right now is the Buick Encore - which is a CUV - not a car.

Pontiac built cars with excitement and good looks most of the time. Here's a pair of mine taken around 2000...



That GP is much better looking than the same year Buick:

Back in 1980 I bought one of these:

The Buick equivalent:

I still have my '64 too...



Pontiac outsold Buick 3 - 1 back when Obama forced GM to eliminate some brands. The top selling Buick back then was the Buick Enclave - a clone of the Chevy Traverse and the GMC Acadia.

GM didn't need Buick in the United States - Pontiac was more valuable here. The only reason was China.

 

[The Champ]

There WAS a time when Pontiac had some hit cars... The early Grand Am's were pretty nice for their day

Too bad the Quad 4 engine was a dud...

Early Grand Am's???

Young pup...

This was the "early" Grand Am:

At least in 1973, Buick had one that actually had some style to it...