GM LAUNCHES CHEVROLET SPARK IN INDIA
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Michael Rose,
Thursday, April 19 2007
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 New Delhi – In the presence of General Motors Corp. Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, General Motors India today launched its much-anticipated Chevrolet Spark mini-car.
“GM has made growth in India a priority,” said Wagoner. “Last year we began construction of a new manufacturing facility and introduced three new Chevrolet products. We are keeping up the momentum this year with the introduction of the Spark, which gives GM an entry in India’s predominant market segment.”
“The Chevrolet Spark is the world’s newest-generation compact city car,” according to GM India President and Managing Director Rajeev Chaba. “It sets a new standard for its segment through its modern design, clever space utilisation, affordability and solid engineering.”
Modern, Dynamic Styling
The Spark is one of the world’s most popular mini-cars. Since its launch in 1998, about 2 million have been sold in well over 100 markets. “Evolution not revolution” was therefore the motto for the team designing the new-generation Spark.
Specialists at the GM Daewoo Design Centre in Korea joined designers from Italdesign in Italy to develop the first concept models. Although its modern, dynamic styling makes the Spark look more grown up than ever before, it has retained the “smiling face” of the previous generation. Its large round headlamps with integrated indicators are complemented by strikingly large circular taillamps.
Up front, the combination of a robust bumper and large air intake communicates a new sense of sportiness. The overall appearance is dominated by a marked wedge form with short body overhangs. The powerful look is underlined by the profile of its hood. Steeply rising shoulder lines and converging feature lines in the hood extend through the front fenders, adding tension and dynamism. Two striking V-shaped feature lines give the Spark a three-dimensional look.
Steel surfaces continuing through to the front side windows offer an unusual and harmonious link to the side profile.
The exterior design also features smart elements like a rear spoiler, satin silver roof rails and body side mouldings, which are standard on the top trim level. Fitted alloy wheels, a first in the mini segment, will be offered as an option.
.jpg "Image") The fun exterior is complemented by a groundbreaking interior, which has a completely redesigned cockpit. The operating elements of the design are divided into two parts. In the driver's direct line of vision is a semi-circular display area with ergonomic controls and warning lights. Positioned at the centre of the dashboard and easily visible to all passengers are the speedometer and instruments, which feature a combination of analogue and digital displays. The interior is richly appointed across all trim levels, with high-quality fabrics used on seats and door trims.
Outstanding Comfort and Convenience
Thanks to its intelligent packaging and 2,345-mm wheelbase, the five-seater offers a comparatively large amount of space and a feeling of roominess. The Spark comes with a generous assortment of standard convenience features and smart storage spaces. Cup holders, card holders and seat-back shopping hooks are standard. Also standard and extremely useful are internally adjustable outside mirrors that drivers will find a boon in dusty Indian driving conditions. High-performance air conditioning calibrated for India’s climate offers precise cabin cooling never before available in the Spark’s segment.
Depending on the trim level, standard equipment may also include hydraulic power-assisted steering, electrically operated front and rear windows, and a digital clock. In the LT trim, the rear-seat backrest can be divided in a 60:40 ratio, enabling longer objects to be transported easily. The LT trim also features a sunglass holder in addition to a rear washer wiper system and defogger.
With its compact body dimensions (length x width x height: 3,495 mm x 1,495 mm x 1,518 mm) and its small turning radius (4,600 mm), the Spark is not only extremely manoeuvrable, it also fits into any parking space.
Unmatched Fuel Economy
“Because of its range of mini-car benefits and unmatched fuel economy, the Spark is the ideal vehicle in these times of soaring fuel costs and economic uncertainty,” said Rajeev Chaba.
GM Daewoo engineers developed the economical yet powerful new S-Tec engine exclusively for the Spark. The four-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine delivers peak power of 63 ps @ 5,400 rpm and peak torque of 90.3 Nm @ 4,200 rpm. Power and torque are maximised at lower speeds, making the Spark ideal for commuting in congested city traffic as well as on open highways. The peak power per engine displacement volume is the highest in the Spark’s segment. The engine has been optimised via a number of technical improvements such as the adoption of low-friction valve gears. A reduced curb weight and more aerodynamic styling further improve the Spark’s drag coefficient, giving it the best fuel efficiency of any vehicle in the market.
Enhanced Safety
Engineers actively utilised use of state-of-the-art technologies and high-grade materials to enhance safety. Fifty-one percent of the total weight of the Spark’s body cell consists of high-strength steel, providing great rigidity and stability while lowering the weight by 10 kg. Precisely defined load paths with an energy-absorbing hexagonal profile protect passengers in the event of a head-on or rear-end collision.
Optimised links between the B-pillar and sills provide side impact protection. For enhanced protection, the B-pillar is made of three steel plates of different thicknesses. The plates are welded together so that in the event of a side impact, the B-pillar moves like a pendulum rather than being folded and protruding into the passenger compartment. Known as Tailor-Welded Blanking or the Pendulum method, this is normally used only in larger vehicles in higher segments.
 Other safety features in the Spark include a driver air bag that will be available shortly post-launch, 2.5 mph impact-proof front and rear bumpers, and tubeless tyres that are a first in the industry in the Spark’s segment. The front-end design of the Spark is among the first in its class to comply with new European regulations for pedestrian safety.
Pleasurable Driving
The Spark’s design team improved the front axle from the previous generation. Strut mountings are no longer bolted to the body, but are instead welded into a much stiffer location. As a result, the suspension responds more sensitively, providing enhanced ride comfort. Ride comfort has also been significantly improved through the adoption of softer suspension mountings, new gas-pressure shock absorbers and an optimised front axle with McPherson struts. A newly developed semi-independent torsion-beam rear axle ensures much greater precision in wheel control and handling. In the final stages of development, the chassis and suspension were sent to Lotus for fine tuning.
Front wheels are fitted with disc brakes (236 mm) and rear wheels with drum brakes (180 mm) for the most efficient braking. Four-channel anti-lock brakes from renowned German supplier Bosch are available as an option. The Spark runs on 155/65 R13 tyres with 4.5 JX13 rims.
Engineers improved the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics of the Spark through the extensive use of dampening materials and hydraulic engine mounts. The Spark’s optimised cable-connected five-speed manual gearshift offers precise and easy gear changes. Gear ratios have been especially selected for India’s driving conditions.
Designed for the World, Tested and Validated for India
Before it actually takes to the street, the Spark will have already seen much of the world’s climatic conditions during a number of hard testing routines. In the development phase, prototypes covered about 2 million km on all conceivable terrains in all conceivable driving conditions around the globe. The Spark became acquainted with sub-zero temperatures in Canada and northern Sweden and the heat of the desert in the U.S. state of Arizona. Its brakes were put to the ultimate test descending the winding passes of the Alps. Local GM engineers carried out extensive testing of the Spark across India.
Extended Warranty and Maintenance Schedule
 The Chevrolet Spark comes with a three-year/100,000-km standard warranty, which is an industry first in the mini-car segment, and a service interval of 5,000 km or six months (whichever comes first).
GM India is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Corp. In addition to the Spark, GM India also assembles the Chevrolet Tavera, Chevrolet Optra, Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Aveo U-VA and Chevrolet SRV at its facility in Halol, Gujarat. Last year, GM India broke ground for a new 140,000-unit vehicle manufacturing facility in Maharashtra that is scheduled to begin production in late 2008. It recently completed the expansion of capacity at its plant in Halol to 85,000 units per year.
In addition, a new parts distribution centre was set up last year in Maharashtra to supplement the two original centres in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. GM also continues the extensive localization of its product lineup and is in the process of expanding its dealership network from 95 to 114 sales points by the end of 2007.
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