As a new entry-level model, the GM brings entry-level Chevrolet Spark minicar in March to the market. He is the successor to the still introduced as the Daewoo Matiz and will cost from 8 990 euros.

While the Matiz as Spartan Minimalist often fired the second car, or the elderly car, the Spark is a smart lifestyle vehicle shall apply to youthful buyers and rivals such as Fiat Panda, Renault Twingo, Citroen C1 or make life difficult. He looks aggressive enough, anyway. Between elongated headlights, he carries a relatively high bow with large, divided by a horizontal bar grille. The wheel arches are slightly flared, the flanks recovered somewhat. As the rear door handles cleverly concealed in the body, the five-door looks at first glance like a three-door. Is 1.52 meters high roof and roof rails give it a van-like character. With 3,64 m, he is 14 centimeters wide and 1.60 meters longer than four inches of Matiz. Also, the wheelbase has grown: by 3.5 centimeters to 2.38 meters.

The interior design is striking. The round analog speedometer with Ice blue backlit digital display with tachometer and fuel gauge are mounted directly to the steering column and look like a motorcycle. In order not to narrow the leg room for driver and front passenger, the symmetrical instrument panel, center console, no, but reaches only a little bit down into the footwell. The instrument panel is like in this class usually lined with hard plastic, but very clean process. The buttons for radio and ventilation are available for driver and front passenger just as well as the connections for iPods, MP3 players and USB flash drive. However, there are all these things not in the base model. Who wants a CD radio, the equipment must be version “Plus” for 9 690 euros attack. Who wants an air conditioner must pay 10 890 for the Spark LS. Top-expensive version of the 12 690 euro Spark LT, which has, inter alia, for the rear parking sensors, an automatic climate control and 15-inch wheels on board.

The sense of space is good. The front seats give rise to any action. Probably not formed, too soft, and with a sufficiently long thigh support, they are recommended for long distances. Whether the backbench that also feel this way, however, is doubtful. Levels of headroom, it does not lack, and the knee room is even more than sufficient, but the backs are unpleasantly steep. More than two passengers should not sit back, three squat too much on the Pelle. Conceptual design small and not a whit greater than in the previous Matiz is the car boot. Only with the rear seats are folded from 170 liters, 994 liters of ordinary which should allow even holiday luggage. Storage facilities in the interior there are more than ample. Even for 1.5-liter bottles is the place. The pockets on the seatbacks backs even consider laptops.

With its tight turning radius dimensions and 9.90 meters of Spark is an ideal city car. Country roads and highways, he is not misplaced. He bounces properly and can draw accurate. Although it is only the rear drum brakes, if the delay is certainly in order. The two standing for election four-cylinder engines, the 1.0-liter gasoline engine with 50kW/68 hp and the 1.2-liter gasoline engine with 60 kW/68 hp march to 100 km / h quite bravely, but are also somewhat tough. If necessary, they create 154 km / h or 164 km / h top. Clearly the better engine but the 1.2-liter engine, it accelerates the micro-car in 12.1 seconds instead of 15.5 seconds at 100 km / h, consumes an average of 5.1 liters Super/100 km but not a drop more fuel. In practice, it seems even the frugal, because with its increased passage he is less dependent on frequent gear changes and high engine speeds. The switching energy, however, makes no effort, because the five gears can be sorted easily and accurately.

Compared to the Matiz Spark has a far better safety features. Side and window airbags, belt tensioners, a pedestrian protection system and pedals, which led to retreat when the crash from the footwell, the Euro-NCAP test at a four-star result. The ESP skid protection was not available in the predecessor, the Spark, it stands for 300 euros, at least in the charge list and is ordered for each version. If it were a standard, it will have the Euro-NCAP test even for a fifth star served. But then the psychologically important starting price of 8 990 euros would not have been possible. Holger gloss / mid