GM's launch second small new Spark car

[Cason]

In the troubled times, GM hasa little saviour in the form of the new Chevy Spark nee Beat, which will be launched in Geneva this month. GM is gearing up to produce the car in different locations around the globe, with plans to market it in more than 90 countries. It will form the mainstay of GM's range for the next decade. The Spark will also be made and sold in North America.

The new Spark, code name M300, will be produced at GM's Talegaon facility at the outskirts of Pune.lt measures 3640mm in length and with a l.2-litre engine will qualify for the excise relaxations. Aggressive localisation will also keep costs down. There is also a cheaper 1.0-litre variant planned, and a three-cylinder diesel will also be launched subsequently.



The production version retains most ofthe styling cues of the original concept, except for the layered dashboard and all-digital instruments. Instead, it uses a part-digital, part-analogue display, and has a more conventional centre Inserts on the door pads and dashboard will be colour coordinated with the exterior.

Safety equipment includes driver and passenger front airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. The Spark has been developed and is expected to achieve high crash test ratings. GM says the Spark will be ready for European dealers early next year, so we can expect it in India around the same time. Given the Spark's impressiv'e spec and uber-cool styling, the A-Star and the i10 have a tough fight on their hands.

[Zaara]

Chevrolet Beat looks good....