2014 Chevy Spark EV to hit California dealers next summer
Will the EV version of the 2014 Chevy Spark be a Volt-beater? (Photo Credit: CC xxx/Michael Gil/Flickr)
Next summer, the 2014 Chevy Spark Electric Vehicle will hit dealers in California. While General Motors has kept news of the Spark EV’s range under wraps, GM claims that the urban people-mover will have “a lot of pep in a small package,” reports The Detroit News. Of course, it remains to be seen if that will translate into the public adopting electric cars to a greater capacity.
Chevy Spark will be ‘very, very nice,’ claims GM program manager
Mike Lelli, the GM program manager for the Spark EV, was highly complimentary of what he believes will prove to be an outstanding product in the 2014 model.
“We’ll be very competitive,” he said. “Everybody’s going to be pleasantly surprised with our range. It’ll be very, very nice.”
The 2014 Chevy Spark EV will be able to transport up to four adults comfortably. The vehicle instantly responds to the accelerator, moving forward quickly with the power of 400 foot-pounds of torque, notes Chevrolet. With 130 hp generated by the Spark EV’s electric motor, the electric version improves on the internal combustion engine of the standard Chevy Spark by nearly 55 percent (up from 84 hp). The power boost helps the diminutive Spark EV jump from zero to 60 mph in eight seconds, enough time to pass another car on the highway. Whether driving the Spark EV on the highway is practical thanks to range concerns most EVs have suffered to date remains to be seen.
For point of comparison, the gasoline-powered Spark requires 12 seconds to go from zero to 60.
2014 Chevy Spark ‘fun to drive,’ GM claims
In a road test on a straight roadway of even elevation, the Chevy Spark EV went from zero to 40 mph in just seconds, according to a company representative.
“This car is really, really fun to drive,” said GM Senior Vice President of Product Development Mary Barra during a satellite interview with Detroit automotive media. “The acceleration is brisk, the handling is tight and of course it doesn’t use a drop of gasoline.”
The rear-axle battery pack included in the Chevy Spark EV is approximately 160 pounds heavier than the battery in the plug-in, extended-range Chevy Volt. GM notes that the Spark’s battery is also more powerful, providing 20 kilowatt hours of energy through over 336 prismatic cells in four power modules.
Spark EV will make Los Angeles debut
Later this month, the 2014 Chevy Spark Electronic Vehicle will make its U.S. auto show debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. General Motors plans to build 500,000 of the sprightly EVs by 2017. According to Barra, GM will continue to push the envelope when it comes to EVs with eAssist technology, as well as plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The Spark EV will initially be sold in California and South Korea, where it is produced. While a price has not yet been set, it is expected that it will be significantly more expensive than the $12,995 gas-powered version of the Spark. Most consumers will be seeking auto loan information, no doubt.
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