KK OO SS
Drivingwww.carsforkent.co.ukDrivingwww.carsforkent.co.uk
SPARK is a great name for
Chevrolet's new baby car, spark-
ing major changes in the way the
American marque is perceived
in the UK.
The Spark is not simply a new model, but
a whole new name and philosophy that
also severs a link with the past by replac-
ing the increasingly tired-looking Matiz,
launched as a Daewoo 12 years ago.
To be fair, with a clever five-door body
credited to Italian motor style guru
Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Matiz originally put
some western city car designs to shame,
but sales have relied increasingly on keen
pricing and, latterly, the Government spon-
sored �2,000-a-time Scrappage scheme.
The car was not helped when Daewoo's
troubled parent sold control of its car divi-
sion to General Motors in 2001; as part of a
re-brand as Chevrolet for the UK, the Matiz
gained a facelift that made it look like it
had been put on a burger and fries diet.
No such accusation could be made
against the Spark.
Within compact city car dimensions,
Chevy has created a crisply-drawn high
roof five-door replacement with fashionably
concealed rear door handles and bags of
cabin space.
With dealers knocking out final Matiz
stocks for as little as �4,995, it looks more
expensive priced at �6,945,but the Spark is
far more sophisticated than its predecessor
and will come with more features.
Sellinginitiallyinfive-doorformonlyitwill
also sell with two petrol options � a 68PS
(67bhp) 1.0-litre or 82PS (81bhp) 1.2-litre.
Standard kit includes air con, electric
front windows and six airbags, which
enabled the Spark to score an overall four
out of five stars in the Euro NCAP crash
test, with a maximum five stars for child
protection.
Mid-range LS trim � expected to be the
most popular � adds remote central lock-
ing, interior upgrades, front fog lamps and
a body-coloured rear spoiler.
Then LS+ gets alloys, electric windows all
-round,heated electric mirrors,roof bars and
steering wheel audio controls, while the LT
flagship adds 15-inch alloys, climate control,
exterior body kit and six-speaker stereo.
The car is launched officially in March,but
dealers are jockeying to unveil the car early.
Caffyns of Tunbridge Wells � officially
one of the brand's top 15 dealers � is even
staging a pre-launch event on February 15
for existing customers with a chance to
drive the new Chevy baby a few days later.
General sales manager Andy Kitney said:
"Advance interest has been such that we
felt we just had to go as early as possible
with introducing the car to customers."
Search online for your new car today
www.carsforkent.co.uk
By STEVE LOADER
Sparking revolution
for the Chevy name
Sparking revolution
for the Chevy name

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