Chevrolet Spark car

[minisoji]

General Motors, the world’s biggest carmaker who rolled out its small car Chevrolet Spark in India as it takes on market leader Maruti Suzuki. The company has set the price of Spark at Rs 3.09 lakh (Ex-showroom Delhi) for the base model, slightly lower than Rs 3.21 lakh for Maruti’s Zen Estillo base model. Chevrolet Spark would be available in four options with the price increasing to Rs 3.89 lakh. The company, which has so far sold two million units of the small car globally, will initially roll out Spark from its manufacturing facility in Gujarat.

Spark would be available in two versions of petrol engine: 795cc and 995cc. The 795cc, 6valve engine would compete with Maruti 800. It will deliver a power of 8KW and torque of 68.6 Nm@4600 rpm. The three-cylinder design provides a very flat torque curve, which results in a less peak power delivery. The 795cc engine claims to give a mileage of 19.2kpl with a top speed of 142 km/hr.

Chevrolet Spark has a mono frame design, which maximizes the wheelbase, and in turn improves cabin space. The body is made of high strength steel, which makes the car lighter and gives the required stability on road while driving. Spark has a completely new torsion beam rear axle, which is coupled to angled shock absorbers and semi trailing arms.


Spark has 1L engine which outputs 63bhp of power and 90Nm of torque. With these figures, enthusiast will definitely feed well but people anxious about the fuel economy might disappoint. Unlike Matiz which comfortably gave over 15 kmpl in city, Chevrolet Spark will give approx 13kmpl in similar driving conditions. People who have ever driven Matiz know that in spite of having a very small engine, Matiz never gave a slothful feeling. The engine always did the needful as far as city-driving is concerned. With 1L engine, Spark is more thrilling in city and much better at highways.

Exterior is not changed much. Though fascia, tail-design is quite different from Matiz, the overall shape & size of Chevrolet Spark gives a familiar look. Exterior & Interior dimensions are almost equal to the old Matiz. Car is available in five colors; Icy Blue, Mint Green, Fiery Red, Casablanca White and Platinum Metallic. To me, Mint Green looked too funky but Icy Blue and Platinum Metallic were soothing. Paint work quality could have been much better.

Spark Engine:

Spark has two versions of petrol engine-0.8L and 1L. There is speculation about launch of diesel engine, but at least in the short term first the diesel will be introduced in Chevrolet AVEO U-VA to match diesel swift. The 795cc, 6valve-Smaller engine to take on Maruti 800 will pump out 38KW and torque of 68.6 Nm@4600 rpm. The three-cylinder design is said to provide a very flat torque curve, which means a much less peaky power delivery than would be expected from an engine of this size, and ensures that the Spark exceeds most performance expectations. The three-cylinder unit claims to give a mileage of 19.2kpl with a top speed of 142 km/hr.

Spark Exteriors:

The large round head lamps brings back the memory of old Daewoo Matiz. The Chevrolet spark is a classic example of the Mono form design, as is the Zen Estilo and Honda Civic. The Mono form design reduces the front and rear extension which means the easy parking in metros and it also maximizes the wheel base, which in turn improves cabin space. Thanks to the selection of materials, generous use of high strength steel not only gives you the required stability but it also makes the car weigh less. It weighs about 795 kg against 875kg Zen Estilo.

To improve the handling of the Spark, a completely new torsion beam rear axle was used, coupled to angled shock absorbers and semi trailing arms. This will provide you much greater accuracy wheel control than the rambling axle used in Zen Estilo. The Gas pressure shock absorbers together with softer mounting rubbers in the suspension links will improve the ride comfort. Chevrolet claims that spark gives you greater visibility from the high driving position with low waist line and slim pillars for tight reversing occasions.

Spark Interiors:

The Spark interior is divided into two main sections. In the driver’s direct line of view, there is a semi-circular set of displays incorporating the control and warning lights. Then, in the center of the dashboard and slightly raised, is the instrument panel with classic-style analogue displays, easily visible to all Spark occupants. They provide information on rpm, speed and fuel level. The odometer reading and time are displayed in digital form which means they are easy to pick out at a glance and the clever ergonomics mean you don’t have to peer through the steering wheel and take your eyes off the road. More cars should have this set-up.

For average sized people the Spark’s interior will pose no problems in the legroom department and headroom will fit for most sizes too. The seats are supportive and good for distance work. The rear seat’s backrest can be divided in the ratio 60:40 against the not folding type offered by Zen Estilo, enabling longer objects to be transported without problem. If the complete bench is flipped up, the capacity rises to an impressive 845 liters whereas the luggage space is 170litres.

Spark Safety and special features:

Spark Anti Lock Braking System and driver-passenger airbags may not be offered in 0.8L spark and may be offered in 1Lspark as an optional one. Specifically distinct load paths with an energy absorbing hexagonal profile protect the passengers in the event of a head-on or rear collision. Optimized links between the B-pillar and the sills provide additional protection in the event of a side impact.

The range of safety equipment is completed by an energy-absorbing steering column, knee padding and a plastic fuel tank with a safety valve that immediately halts the fuel supply if the car turns over, thereby virtually eliminating any fire risk. Certainly it may not be the safest car but 0.8L spark will certainly score over the Maruti 800 when comes to safety. Air conditioning, power windows, power steering, remote fuel lid opener and remote tail gate opener will be offered as standard in 1L spark.

Keywords: Car reviews, indian cars, Cars stills, bikes, TopCar, Audi car, Fiat car

[minisoji]

Chevrolet Beat



This Beat will leave you gasping and will increase the adrenaline level in you. GM India has launched the much awaited car in the Indian car market.

Chevrolet India has opened the account of launches for the year 2010. Chevrolet Beat has been launched today on 4th of January, 2010.

Chevrolet Beat will be available in 3 variants that are the Base PS version, LS version and Fully loaded LT variant. The Beat will be on display at the General Motors pavillion at the 2010 Auto Expo. This latest launch from General Motors will be priced between Rs 3.34 lakhs to Rs 3.94 lakhs.


Chevrolet Beat's concept was developed according to the Global Product Development process. This process includes design, engineering, powertrain and manufacturing organizations.
Engine
Chevrolet Beat comes with 1.2 litre 4-cylinder engine. The engine used is mated to a five speed manual transmission. This recently launched car model with small displacement engine ensures better fuel economy thereby assuring outstanding mileage. Chevrolet Beat will be powered by a 1.2 litre 4 cylinder engine that will generate 79 bhp of maximum power at 6200 rpm with 108 Nm of maximum torque at 4400 rpm.




A Look at Chevrolet Beat
The latest launch from Chevrolet is a sporty hatchback. A look at this latest launched model gives a feel of urban lifestyle. The headlamps of Chevrolet Beat stretch from the front to the back of the hood. This sporty hatchback has clear polycarbonate lenses as well as bezels that are chrome-coated.

Window - Slanted dynamically upward. The sidelines and rooflines give a sporty look to this latest launched car.

Door - Chevrolet Beat is a five-door vehicle. But the secret vertical rear door handles give this most awaited vehicle from General Motors a 3-door coupe appearance.

Better Driving Experience - The initial reviews of the latest launched model in India - Chevrolet Beat show that this car will offer better driving experience.

Comfort Features

* Exterior-color-matched instrument panel
* Door trim in red, blue or silver
* Round tail lamps with clear polycarbonate lenses
* Chrome-coated radiator grille
* Fog lamps, outside mirrors with two-tone color
* A refined-looking roof rack

Interiors of Chevrolet Beat

* A motorcycle-inspired dynamic meter cluster
* Headrests – these can be vertically adjusted up to 65 mm
* Various storage places
* Pattern-printed semi-bucket Carbon film-heated seats


Price
Overwhelmed by the response of Chevrolet Cruze in Indian car market, GM India - the automaker has entered the market with much-talked about Chevrolet Beat. The Chevrolet Beat is priced between Rs 3.34 lakhs to Rs 3.94 lakhs. While 20-25% of the production volume will be for buyers in neighbouring countries of India like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, the rest 75% will be for India.

Keywords: Car reviews, indian cars,Chevrolet Beat Cars stills, bikes, TopCar, Audi car, Fiat car