Chevrolet Spark

Chevrolet Spark: generations compared

Five generations sit in the catalogue. They are not five copies of one car.

Five generations sit in the catalogue. They are not five copies of one car.

1 generation (2000-02-01 to 2005-01-31) is the smallest-engine group: 0.8 i MT at 51 hp from 796 cm³, plus 1.0 i MT and 1.0 i AT at 63 hp from 995 cm³. All three use Gasoline, Inline 3 cylinders, Direct injection (direct), and 95 fuel. 0–100 km/h, top speed, consumption, tank, weights, clearance, wheels, suspension, eco class, boost, valves, engine position, and compression are not measured. Front brakes are Disc, rear Drum. This generation is the one you buy only if the spec sheet itself is enough: you cannot rank it on economy or acceleration against later cars because those numbers are not measured.

2 generation (2005-01-01 to 2010-01-31) is the lightest petrol group with measured mass: 0.8 MT at 775 kg, 1.0 MT at 796 kg, 0.8 AT at 795 kg. Power is 52 hp (0.8 MT, 0.8 AT) or 63 hp (1.0 MT). Clearance is 135 mm; tank 35 L; fuel 92; injection Distributed injection (multi-point); boost No. This is the generation you buy if kerb weight is the decision: 775 kg is 363 kg less than the restyling 1.4 CVT (1138 kg) and 525 kg less than either 3 generation AT.

3 generation (2010-01-01 to 2016-12-31) is the only generation with Electro and the only one with two pairs of same-named versions. Petrol: 1.0 AT 67 hp, 1.0 MT 68 hp, 1.2 MT 82 hp, 1.2 MT 84 hp, 1.2 AT 84 hp. Electric: AT 130 hp and AT 143 hp. Clearance stays 135 mm; tank on petrol versions is 35 L. This is the generation you buy if you want 0–100 km/h under 8 s (7.6 s on both AT electrics) or mixed petrol use of 5.1 L/100 km.

4 generation (2015-01-01 to 2018-04-30) is the first Spark with 155 mm clearance (20 mm more than generations 2 and 3) and the first with a 1.4 Inline 4 at 98 hp. Four versions: 1.0 MT, 1.0 CVT, 1.4 MT, 1.4 CVT. Tank 35 L. The 1.4 MT is the petrol acceleration pick; the 1.4 CVT is the top-speed pick (179 km/h).

4 generation, restyling (from 2018-04-01, end not measured) keeps one version only: 1.4 CVT, still 98 hp, 131 Nm, 12.6 s, 179 km/h, mixed 5.5 L/100 km. What changed versus the pre-facelift 1.4 CVT is the tank (32 L versus 35 L, 3 L less) and peak power in kW (72 versus 73). Kerb 1138 kg, gross 1447 kg, clearance 155 mm, Euro 6, fuel 95 are the same as the pre-facelift 1.4 CVT. Buy the restyling if you need the open-ended production window; buy the 2015–2018 1.4 CVT if you want the extra 3 L of tank at the same measured performance.

Engines and specs

All petrol engines in the data are Gasoline. Boost where measured is No. Drive is FWD on every version. Layout where measured is Inline, engine position where measured is Front, transverse. Valves per cylinder are 4 from generation 3 petrol onward (generation 2 uses 2). Rear brakes are Drum on every version that lists brakes.

Specific output (hp per litre of displacement, petrol only): 4 generation 1.0 MT / 1.0 CVT lead at 75.1 hp/L (75 hp / 0.999 L). 4 generation / restyling 1.4 sit at 70.1 hp/L. 3 generation 1.2 MT 84 hp is 69.7 hp/L; the other 1.2 MT at 82 hp is 68.0 hp/L — same 1206 cm³, 2 hp less. 3 generation 1.0 MT is 68.1 hp/L; 1.0 AT is 67.3 hp/L. 2 generation 0.8 is 65.3 hp/L; 1 generation 0.8 i MT is 64.1 hp/L. 1 generation and 2 generation 1.0 petrol at 63 hp / 0.995 L are 63.3 hp/L — the lowest specific output among petrol engines with displacement.

The 3 generation AT pair is not a petrol comparison: displacement is not measured. Torque is the split: 542 Nm at 130 hp versus 444 Nm at 143 hp (98 Nm more torque on the weaker-power AT).

Gearbox tax inside one engine: 3 generation 1.2 MT 84 hp versus 1.2 AT 84 hp is the same 84 hp and 111 Nm; the Automatic costs 0.9 s on 0–100 km/h (13.0 versus 12.1). 2 generation 0.8 AT versus 0.8 MT is the same 52 hp and 72 Nm; the Automatic costs 3.7 s (21.9 versus 18.2) and 10 km/h of top speed (135 versus 145). 4 generation 1.4 CVT versus 1.4 MT is 98 hp both ways; the Variable is 1.6 s slower to 100 km/h (12.6 versus 11.0) but is the only 1.4 with a measured top speed (179 km/h; 1.4 MT top speed not measured). Torque on that pair is 131 Nm (Variable) versus 128 Nm (Manual) — 3 Nm.

Performance and economy (mpg / L/100 km)

0–100 km/h, fastest to slowest among versions with a figure: both 3 generation AT (Electro) 7.6 s; 4 generation 1.4 MT 11.0 s; 3 generation 1.2 MT (both 82 and 84 hp) 12.1 s; 4 generation / restyling 1.4 CVT 12.6 s; 2 generation 1.0 MT 12.9 s; 3 generation 1.2 AT 13.0 s; 3 generation 1.0 MT 15.5 s; 3 generation 1.0 AT 17.5 s; 2 generation 0.8 MT 18.2 s; 2 generation 0.8 AT 21.9 s. Not measured: all 1 generation versions; 4 generation 1.0 MT and 1.0 CVT.

The Electro AT pair is 3.4 s faster to 100 km/h than the fastest petrol (1.4 MT at 11.0 s) and 9.9 s faster than 3 generation 1.0 AT (17.5 s). They are not the top-speed cars: 145 km/h versus 179 km/h on 1.4 CVT (34 km/h less) and versus 164 km/h on 3 generation 1.2 MT (19 km/h less). The Electro AT is 2 km/h above 3 generation 1.0 AT (143 km/h) and equal to 2 generation 0.8 MT (145 km/h). Lowest measured top speed is 2 generation 0.8 AT at 135 km/h.

Mixed consumption, petrol versions with a figure: 5.1 L/100 km on 3 generation 1.2 MT (84 hp), 1.2 MT (82 hp), and 1.0 MT; 5.2 on 2 generation 0.8 MT; 5.5 on 4 generation and restyling 1.4 CVT; 5.7 on 2 generation 0.8 AT; 6.3 on 3 generation 1.0 AT; 6.4 on 4 generation 1.0 CVT; 6.5 on 4 generation 1.0 MT; 6.6 on 2 generation 1.0 MT. Highway: 4.2 L/100 km is the floor (3 generation 1.2 MT both outputs, 3 generation 1.0 MT, 2 generation 0.8 MT). City: lowest measured is 6.6 (3 generation 1.2 MT both, 1.0 MT); highest measured is 8.8 (2 generation 1.0 MT), then 8.2 (3 generation 1.0 AT). 4 generation 1.4 CVT is thirsty in town (7.3) and lean on the highway (4.6) — a 2.7 L/100 km city–highway gap, larger than 4 generation 1.0 MT (0.7: 6.8 / 6.1).

CO2 is not measured except 3 generation 1.0 AT at 149 g (with Euro 4). Euro 6 is listed on 4 generation 1.4 MT, 1.4 CVT, and the restyling 1.4 CVT. Electro consumption, tank, and eco class are not measured.

Range from tank × mixed figure, where both exist: restyling 1.4 CVT 32 L / 5.5 ≈ 582 km; pre-facelift 1.4 CVT 35 / 5.5 ≈ 636 km (54 km more tank range at the same mix); 4 generation 1.0 CVT 35 / 6.4 ≈ 547 km; 1.0 MT 35 / 6.5 ≈ 538 km; 3 generation 1.0 AT 35 / 6.3 ≈ 556 km; 3 generation 1.2 MT and 1.0 MT 35 / 5.1 ≈ 686 km; 2 generation 0.8 MT 35 / 5.2 ≈ 673 km; 0.8 AT 35 / 5.7 ≈ 614 km; 1.0 MT 35 / 6.6 ≈ 530 km. The 3 L tank cut on the restyling is the only measured change that hurts range versus the otherwise identical 1.4 CVT.

Dimensions and weight

Clearance: 155 mm on every 4 generation and restyling version that lists it; 135 mm on every 2 generation and 3 generation version that lists it; not measured on 1 generation. The later Mini 5-doors sits 20 mm higher.

Kerb weight, lightest to heaviest among measured: 2 generation 0.8 MT 775 kg; 0.8 AT 795 kg; 1.0 MT 796 kg; 4 generation 1.0 MT 900 kg; 1.0 CVT 910 kg; 3 generation 1.0 AT 950 kg; 4 generation 1.4 MT 1019 kg; 4 generation / restyling 1.4 CVT 1138 kg; 3 generation AT (both 130 and 143 hp) 1300 kg. Not measured: all 1 generation; 3 generation petrol 1.2 MT, 1.2 AT, 1.0 MT.

kg per hp (kerb / hp), where both exist: 3 generation AT 143 hp 9.1 kg/hp; AT 130 hp 10.0; 4 generation 1.4 MT 10.4; restyling / 4 generation 1.4 CVT 11.6; 4 generation 1.0 MT 12.0; 1.0 CVT 12.1; 2 generation 1.0 MT 12.6; 3 generation 1.0 AT 14.2; 2 generation 0.8 MT 14.9; 0.8 AT 15.3. The Electro AT at 143 hp is the densest power-to-weight Spark with a kerb figure; the 0.8 AT is the least dense.

Gross weight: restyling / 4 generation 1.4 CVT 1447 kg (payload 1447 − 1138 = 309 kg); 3 generation 1.0 AT 1367 kg (payload 417 kg); 2 generation 0.8 AT 1270 kg (475 kg); 0.8 MT 1250 kg (475 kg); 1.0 MT 1230 kg (434 kg). Highest payload among measured pairs is 475 kg on both 2 generation 0.8 versions — 166 kg more payload than the current 1.4 CVT. Gross is not measured on 1 generation, on 4 generation 1.0 and 1.4 MT, and on 3 generation except 1.0 AT.

Wheels: not measured except 3 generation 1.0 AT (155/80 R13, 155/70 R14), 3 generation AT 143 hp (185/55 R15, 195/55 R15), and all three 2 generation versions (145/70 R13, 155/65 R13). The 143 hp AT is the only Spark here on 15-inch sizes in the data. Suspension where listed: front Independent, spring; rear Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem. Front brakes: Ventilated disc from generation 3 onward (petrol and Electro); Disc on generations 1 and 2.

Which version to choose

Buy the 4 generation, restyling 1.4 CVT if the car must still be the in-production Spark. You get 98 hp at 6200 rpm, 131 Nm at 4400 rpm, Variable gearbox, 12.6 s, 179 km/h, mixed 5.5 L/100 km, Euro 6, 155 mm clearance, 1138 / 1447 kg. Versus the pre-facelift 1.4 CVT you lose 3 L of tank and 1 kW (72 versus 73). Versus the 4 generation 1.4 MT you pay 1.6 s to 100 km/h and 119 kg of kerb (1138 versus 1019) for the Variable and a measured 179 km/h; mixed and city/highway for the 1.4 MT are not measured, so you cannot claim the CVT is thirstier in mixed use from this table.

Buy the 4 generation 1.4 MT if petrol acceleration is the criterion. 11.0 s is 1.6 s quicker than any 1.4 CVT and 1.1 s quicker than 3 generation 1.2 MT. 1019 kg is the lightest 98 hp Spark (10.4 kg/hp). You keep Euro 6, 155 mm, 35 L, 5-speed Manual. Top speed, city/highway/mixed, and gross mass are not measured.

Buy a 4 generation 1.0 if you want the highest petrol specific output (75.1 hp/L) and the lightest 4 generation cars (900 kg 1.0 MT, 910 kg 1.0 CVT). The Manual is 10 kg lighter than the Variable. Mixed use is worse than the 1.4 CVT: 6.5 / 6.4 versus 5.5 — 1.0 and 0.9 L/100 km more. 0–100 km/h and top speed are not measured on either 1.0. Highway on the 1.0 MT (6.1) is 1.5 L/100 km worse than the 1.4 CVT (4.6); city is 0.5 better (6.8 versus 7.3).

Buy the 3 generation 1.2 MT (84 hp) if you want the strongest petrol 1.2 and the joint-best measured mixed petrol figure (5.1). Same 12.1 s as the 82 hp 1.2 MT; the extra 2 hp does not change the acceleration figure in the data. Versus 1.2 AT you save 0.9 s. Fuel is 92. Kerb is not measured. Do not mix this 1.2 MT with the 82 hp 1.2 MT: names match, power does not.

Buy the 3 generation 1.0 MT if you want 5.1 L/100 km mixed with 95 fuel and a 5-speed Manual, and you accept 15.5 s to 100 km/h and 154 km/h. Versus 1.0 AT you gain 2.0 s to 100 km/h (15.5 versus 17.5), 11 km/h of top speed (154 versus 143), and 1.2 L/100 km mixed (5.1 versus 6.3). The Automatic is the only petrol Spark with a CO2 figure (149) and Euro 4.

Buy the 3 generation AT at 143 hp if 0–100 km/h and kg/hp decide. 7.6 s, 145 km/h, 1300 kg, 9.1 kg/hp, wheels 185/55 R15 and 195/55 R15, fuel Electro. Versus the other AT at 130 hp: same 7.6 s, same 145 km/h, same 1300 kg, 13 hp more, 98 Nm less (444 versus 542). Name both AT; split them by 143 versus 130 hp. Consumption, tank, and displacement are not measured, so you cannot score them on mpg.

Buy a 2 generation 0.8 MT if mass and payload dominate: 775 kg, 475 kg payload, mixed 5.2, highway 4.2, 18.2 s, 145 km/h. The 0.8 AT is 20 kg heavier, 3.7 s slower, 10 km/h slower on top speed, and 0.5 L/100 km worse mixed. Buy the 2 generation 1.0 MT only if you want 63 hp and 12.9 s in this generation: it is the thirstiest measured mixed petrol (6.6) and has the highest city figure (8.8).

Buy a 1 generation only as a three-cylinder Gasoline Direct injection (direct) FWD Mini 5-doors from 2000-02-01 to 2005-01-31. 0.8 i MT is 12 hp below the 1.0 i MT / 1.0 i AT. The 1.0 i AT is the automatic of that pair; the 1.0 i MT is the 5-speed Manual. Performance, economy, weight, tank, and clearance are not measured — those versions cannot win a numbers contest against later Sparks because the contest fields are empty.

Reliability is not measured in this dataset. Problems are not measured. What is measured is the arithmetic: 20 mm more clearance from generation 4; 363 kg more kerb from the lightest 2 generation 0.8 MT to the current 1.4 CVT; 3.4 s from the fastest petrol to the Electro AT; 1.6 s from 1.4 MT to 1.4 CVT; 3 L less tank on the restyling; 5.1 versus 6.6 L/100 km mixed at the petrol extremes that publish a mixed figure.