Detroit, Michigan - Chevrolet has begun its build-up to the release of what it calls the all-new 2016 Spark (due to debut simultaneously at the Seoul and New York motor shows on 2 April) with this teaser image.
While it may be new to the Bowtie Brand, there is rarely such a thing as an all-new car in this day of soaring development costs and the multi-function platforms they have brought into being.
Speculation around the cybergarage is that the new Spark is based on the recently released Opel karl budget hatch (and it's badge-engineered Luton sibling, the new Vauxhall Viva), and is likely to share their 55kW 1.0-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol three (which is new, by the way, specially developed for the Karl) and five-speed manual gearbox. That said, we’d be surprised if a perker alternative was not offered as well.
Chevrolet says, however, that the design of the new Spark “has evolved and grown up with the segment”, and indeed, the semi-silhouette of the teaser image shows a sleeker profile, with “more traditional proportions” than the current Spark.
SOPHISTICATED RESHAPING
That points to some sophisticated re-shaping of the outer panels around a common bodyshell, to produce a more mainstream two-box hatchback, although the only structural difference we've been able to spot is that the rear door handles are in a different position.
Nevertheless, expect to see a neat little car, significantly less than four metres long on a 2385mm wheelbase and weighing less than a ton ready to go, which should give it creditable performance and fuel economy.
GMSA has said it has no plans to release the Karl in South Africa, so we'd expect to see the new, more adult Spark in South Africa in the foreseeable future; we're waiting on a reply from GMSA as to when that will be.