Spark 2007 2012 1.0 LS Review
One of the best selling small hatchbacks in the Indian car market is the Chevrolet Spark series. This adorable hatchback was launched in year, 2007 and has been instrumental in doing incredible sales for the company since then. This hatchback is being developed by CSIPL (Chevrolet Sales India Pvt. Ltd.), which is an ancillary of the multinational car maker, General Motors based in America. Chevrolet India is the fifth largest automobile manufacturer in the country and has a wonderful fleet of cars in their stable. This hatchback is said to be one of the most reasonably priced hatchback for the middle class strata of the country. This small hatchback is being offered with dynamic petrol and also with an LPG drive train, which has a few different trims to choose from. One such mid level petrol trim is Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS , which has a well balanced combination of all the safety and comfort features along with striking exterior features and well done up interiors. All these impressive aspects are surely going to lure the customers into buying this charming small hatchback. Being a small and compact car, it is very simple and easy to maneuver this hatchback even in heavy traffic conditions. This Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS has been equipped with a peppy 1.0 litre, Smart Tec petrol mill, which is fuel efficient as well as performance packed. This engine is apt for the Indian traffic conditions and has been doing very well in the automobile market, since its launch. The Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS is quite a delightful hatchback, which is very rational and comfortable as well for all the occupants. Chevrolet India is also adding after sales benefits to its customers with a 3 years or 45,000 kilometers warranty, which will have quite a few advantages for the customers in terms of repair and maintenance. Some of the most attractive features of this Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS are beige interiors, front power windows, a powerful air conditioner with heater and many more such noteworthy features.
Exteriors
The exteriors of this hatchback are cool and charming, which arouses warmth as well as classiness. By and large, the body line is aerodynamic with a neatly designed body structure. The Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS is a compact modern looking car with some exciting exterior features. The front fascia has a trendy look with a subtle radiator grille, which has the Chevrolet badge embedded on it. This front grille is flanked by a large head light cluster, which has been fitted with powerful and radiant lamps. The front and rear bumpers are body colored that adds to the stylishness of this hatchback. Both the wind screens along with the other windows are made of tinted glass. The front wind screen has been fitted with a pair of intermittent wipers. The side profile has neatly done up wheel arches, which have been fitted with steel wheels of size 13 x 4.5J, which have been affixed with tubeless tyres of size 155/70 R13 and have hub caps on them. The rear end has a tidily done up tail gate and a stylish tail lamp cluster, which has the reversing lamp as well as the side turn blinkers integrated in it. This tail lamp cluster has a jewel effect with chrome finish and is optimally positioned to give better visibility and safety as well. The overall dimensions of this small hatchback, Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS are quite good and it has a fair interior space as well. The total length of this hatchback is 3495mm along with an overall width of 1495mm, which includes the wing mirrors as well. The total height is around 1518mm, while the wheel base is fairly comfortable with 2345mm. This small hatchback, Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS has an overall turning circle radius of 4.6 meters, which helps in easier handling and maneuverability of this car. While the kerb weight of this hatchback is about 840 kgs along with a fuel tank capacity that can store close to 38 litres of petrol in it.
Interiors
This Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS is the mid level hatchback in its model lineup and has a balanced mix of all the features. The interiors have plush beige colored insides and the seating arrangement is quite good for five people. The seats are covered with premium fabric upholstery, which is adding to the elegance of this adorable hatchback. The cabin has ample head room, shoulder space along with a high roof line and a fairly good leg space as well. There are more than a few storage spots to keep many things at hand, which further add to the comfort of the occupants. The glove box is large and can be used to keep numerous things in it. Apart from this, the other storage spots include a couple of cup holders in the front console along with bottle holders in both the front doors as well. The rear seat has shopping hooks to add to the comfort, while there is also a driver front storage to keep some more things. The back seat cushion is foldable to add more space to the luggage compartment and to get some bigger things inside this hatchback.
Engine and Performance
This Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT has been equipped with a peppy 1.0 litre petrol engine, which has 4 cylinders along with 8 valves fitted in it . This Smart-Tec engine is fitted with a SOHC and has been integrated with some ground breaking technologies, which help in enhancing the performance of this power plant. This 995cc petrol power plant has a DDLI, an advanced sequential multi point fuel injection (MPFI) supply system , an advanced optical sensor and the motorized throttle intake system as well. All these incredible technologies combined together make sure that this hatchback gets an improvised pick up along with a striking power and torque production. It is being acclaimed that this engine is one of the most noiseless, maintenance free motor and is also dependable and fuel efficient. This 1.0 litre petrol mill has the capability to produce a maximum power output of 61.74 Bhp at 5400 Rpm along with a peak torque yield of 90.3 Nm at 4200 Rpm and is skillfully coupled with a smooth and efficient five speed manual transmission gear box. Chevrolet India states that this small hatchback. Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS has the capability to produce a remarkable mileage of 18 kmpl , under standard driving conditions. The 995cc Smart-Tec motor has the capacity to thrust this hatchback from 0 – 100 kmph in just about 15.1 seconds , while the Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS can achieve a top speed of close to 153 kmph , which is quite amazing.
Braking and Handling
The front tyres of this Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS has been equipped with solid disc brakes, while the rear tyres get self adjusting drum brakes for superior braking on any kind of roads . The suspension system is tough with the front axle getting a McPherson strut type mechanism, which also has anti roll bars. The rear axle of this car has been fitted with a torsion beam axle, which assists in keeping this car very balanced. The shock absorbers are gas filled, while the rear end shock absorbers have been filled with hydraulics for enhanced comfort to the back seat occupants.
Safety Features
The Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS is the mid level trim in its model lineup and has been included with some very vital safety features, which are advantageous for the occupants as well as the vehicle. The list consists of a central high mounted lamp at the rear end for better visibility for other drivers, rear door child locks and then there are the advanced 2.5 miles per hour impact proof front as well as rear bumpers. This hatchback also has a collapsible steering column along with a head lamp leveling device and side impact beams as well. This hatchback also has a door ‘Ajar’ warning notification lamp in the cluster along with other such notifications for added safety and fortification of the hatchback.
Comfort Features
The list of comfort features consists of a powerful air conditioner, which cools the entire cabin within a few minutes. This Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS has a remote release of the fuel filler as well as the boot lid to add to the comfort level of the driver. There is a front room lamp and internally adjustable outside rear view mirrors, a digital temperature bar graph, a brilliant instrument cluster with a digital tachometer, low fuel warning lamp and quite a few other lamps as well to assist the driver. This hatchback trim also has a digital clock, battery voltage indicator, a power steering that is extremely responsive and easy to handle and front power windows as well.
Pros
Exteriors are fairly good, Price is affordable, mileage is good and the engine is quite lively.
Cons
Interior surfaces are ordinary; a few more comfort features can be added, boot space is very less.
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