2013 Chevrolet Spark minicar unveiled in Detroit, October 2011
Newsletter Stay up to date on car reviews, buying guides, articles and more Chevrolet announced this morning that its Spark mini-car will be coming to the U.S., as will a battery electric version called the Spark EV. The car will be the smallest offered by the brand in America, and will make its debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. The non-electric Spark will be powered by a 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 83 horsepower. Both manual and automatic transmissions will be offered. Despite its small size, Chevy says it will offer more room inside than other mini cars, including the similarly-sized Fiat 500. It will also come with a five year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and available OnStar equipment.
As GM's first all-electric car since the vaunted EV1, the Spark EV will arrive in 2013, about a year after the standard Spark, starting in California and expanding to other "select U.S. and global markets," according to GM. Chevy says the car will be best suited to urban drivers and those with short commutes, hinting that its A123 [NSDQ:AONE] nanophosphate lithium-ion battery pack will provide enough power only for short- to medium-range trips. For more details on the Spark EV, visit GreenCarReports.
Both cars will be available with Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment, which includes Pandora and Stitcher internet radio. Bluetooth, upgraded interior and exterior appearance options, and other packages will also be made available.
