Chevrolet Eyes March Release for 2017 Spark

As gas prices plummet and the world’s love for small cars grows, the 2017 Chevrolet Spark is certainly in a good position to succeed in the local automotive market. Those who owned the car’s previous iterations will be happy with the Spark’s latest version, thanks to a sleeker look, taller cabin and enhanced safety features.

First unveiled at the 2015 New York International Auto Show, the 2017 Chevrolet Spark continues to intrigue. If you seek more than just your average urban transportation, you’ll be delighted to know that the latest Spark can zip, zap and zoom around the urban jungle with ease. As the tiniest Chevy you can buy, it’s easy to overlook this tiny performer, but if there’s any cliché that perfectly applies to the new Spark, it’s that looks can be deceiving.

2017 Chevrolet Spark styling

The 2017 Spark comes in a new platform and an entirely new look. Though the car’s distinct shape remains, massive changes are obvious at the front, starting with the new headlamp and fog light shapes. The two-sectioned front grille carries over from the previous iteration, along with the window-mounted rear door handles.  Looking at the front, it’s clear that the Spark exudes more sophistication this time around. At the sides, accent lines break up and prettify what could have easily been unsightly metal slabs.

Speaking of window-mounted rear door handles, the feature is becoming quite the trend today, as you can also see them in the latest Suzuki Swift and Nissan Juke.

Under the Spark’s hood

The Spark’s powertrain is a 98-hp 1.4-liter EcoTec inline-four gas engine paired to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or continuously variable transmission. Test drives reveal that the CVT option gives better gas mileage. Admittedly underpowered, you’ll need to push the Spark hard to keep up with highway traffic. Thankfully, the little car provides decent handling and roadhugging capabilities, plus a comfortable ride at high speeds.

The cabin

The 2017 Chevrolet Spark’s interior sports a black-centric theme. With the exception of the silver highlights on the center console and vents and the hexagonal pattern fabric on the seats, everything else below the window line comes in black.

As for its size, the Spark interior can seem small at first glance, but sit inside and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the tall headroom. Four full-sized adults can sit upright and enjoy not hunching over. Trunk space is fairly typical for a car of this size.

Safety features

The 2017 Chevrolet Spark is already on sale in North America. However, it is yet to receive its complete ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The good news is that its predecessor earned some of the highest IIHS scores in its category, offering more than a few upscale active safety systems rarely found in the competition. Hands down, the Spark is the most advanced and safety-conscious minicar on the market, with features such lane-departure alert, forward collision warning, and a whopping 10 airbags total.

Chevrolet hasn’t disclosed the Spark’s Philippine-specific details yet, and the exact launch date remains unknown. But with the launch set in March, there’s a good chance that Chevrolet will unveil the latest Spark at the Manila International Auto Show. The annual event opens its doors on March 30 at the World Trade Center in Metro Manila, Pasay, Philippines.