2015 CHEVROLET SPARK OFFERS GREATER CONNECTIVITY WITH ONSTAR 4G LTE
06/01/2014
Chevrolet
Chevrolet Spark is a stylish, practical and fun-to-drive choice for drivers who want a car that's easy to drive and own. The roomiest yet lowest-priced mini-car in the segment, Spark has brought new buyers into the Chevrolet family.
In fact, more than half of Spark buyers are new to GM - and they've helped bolster Chevrolet's overall share of the small-, compact- and mini-car segments, which has jumped 221 percent since mid-2010.
And while Spark may be a small car, it delivers big on safety, with features including 10 standard air bags that helped make it an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick for 2014.
Spark is better connected for 2015, with new OnStar with 4G LTE and available Wi-Fi hotspot. It provides a mobile hub for drivers and passengers to stay connected. The hotspot is on whenever the car is on and comes with a three-month/three-gigabyte data trial.
OnStar with 4G LTE builds on other connectivity technologies such as access to Siri Eyes Free voice recognition (for customers with compatible iPhones), BringGo in-dash navigation (app must be purchased separately) and TuneIn global radio. This is made possible by Spark's MyLink radio (LT models), which includes a seven-inch color touch screen radio nearly twice the size of segment competitors. It is capable of displaying smartphone-based music, videos and contacts for hands-free calling.
The Spark lineup includes LS and LT models, with LT offered in 1LT and 2LT trims. The all-electric Spark EV is also offered (see separate release). Spark is the only car in its segment to provide the added value of a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and the safety and security of OnStar.
Great style and comfort
Just as the Chevrolet Cruze and Chevrolet Sonic helped strengthen Chevrolet's position in the small-car segment with their more-than-expected value, Spark is designed to challenge preconceived notions of how an affordable mini-car can look, feel and drive.
Spark is the only car in its segment to offer five doors, accommodating four adults comfortably with room for cargo. With the rear seat folded, the Spark offers 31.2 cu. ft. (884 L) of cargo space.
While the Spark looks like a three-door hatch, designers cleverly disguised the rear doors by integrating the handles into the C-pillar area. The technique gives Spark its sporty appearance without sacrificing five-door comfort and utility. Spark's wheels-at-the-corners stance is further emphasized by standard 15-inch alloy wheels. An integrated spoiler over the rear hatch door enhances Spark's dynamic appearance while also improving the car's aerodynamics, for fuel efficiency.
Automatic controls for the Spark's halogen headlamps and daytime running lamps are standard, and the 2LT features outside heated power-adjustable body-color rearview mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators.
Other uplevel exterior features include sport front and rear fascias and rocker panel moldings, chrome brightwork at the beltline and liftgate handle trim, detail around the poke-through exhaust outlet and around the fog lamps.
Attention-grabbing exterior colors include Lime and Grape Ice, Salsa and Denim, as well as Black Granite, Silver Ice and Summit White. And in keeping with Spark buyers' affinity for personalizing their vehicles, accessories include interior trim kits (White, Silver, Blue and Green), Z-Spec floor mats and grille, front fog lamp kit and roof rack cross rails. They can be financed with the vehicle when installed by the dealer or authorized service provider.
Inside, air conditioning and power windows are standard across the lineup. Color-coordinated interiors feature an instrument panel with a motorcycle-inspired gauge cluster and lower center console, for maximum visibility and storage. Decorative inserts in the front door and instrument panel add a premium touch, as does the ice blue ambient lighting and faceplates across the door pockets and dash. Heated leatherette seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel are included on Spark 2LT.
Chevrolet MyLink connectivity is personal
MyLink is standard on Spark 1LT, 2LT and EV models, and was designed to provide Spark customers - 90 percent of whom own smartphones - with the ability to personalize their infotainment delivery. MyLink for Spark features a seven-inch diagonal touch screen, with AM/FM/SiriusXM Satellite Radio (with three months of service), Bluetooth streaming audio for music on select phones, voice recognition for compatible smartphones and six speakers.
On Spark, MyLink operates by integrating the owner's compatible smartphone and stored media - via Bluetooth, plug-in outlet or USB - with the radio. This lets owners enjoy simple, safe connectivity while their smartphone is stowed, and makes it easy to accommodate new apps.
MyLink is simple to use: The owner selects from menu options on the touch screen: Audio, Pictures & Movies, Telephone, Smartphone Link and Settings. Each menu selection takes the user though a list of easy-to-select functions.
MyLink is compatible with Siri for customers with a compatible iPhone running at least iOS6, as well as apps for BringGo in-dash navigation (requires app purchase) and TuneIn, which provides access to 70,000 global radio stations, Pandora and Stitcher Smart Radio. Owners can use Siri in Eyes Free mode to:
Make voice-activated, hands-free calls to Contacts on their iPhone
Play songs in the iTunes library, and even switch music sources automatically from AM/FM/XM radio to iPod mode
Listen to, and compose and send an iMessage or text message to a phone number or anyone in saved Contacts
Access Calendar and add appointments
Minimize distraction even more by keeping the screen of the iPhone from lighting up, even when Siri answers simple questions
While in Eyes Free mode, Siri will not provide answers to complex questions that require displaying a web page.
The available BringGo app provides full-function, in-dash navigation via MyLink, as well as live traffic updates for less than $60. It also includes:
Emergency information such as police, fire and the nearest hospital
Thousands of points of interest
Local Search via Google
Where am I? locator
Live traffic functionality provides crash reports and lane closures, and with alternative routes
3-D maps
Ability to store native maps to the customer's smartphone, giving them access to locations and turn-by-turn directions even when phone signal quality is poor. Many GPS-enabled apps do not do this
Available for download on iTunes or Googleplay for compatible smartphones.
The TuneIn app connects Spark customers to live local, international and Internet radio. Users can search for programming by location, genre, sports team name, station type or call sign.
Complementing MyLink to enhance Spark's connectivity is new OnStar with 4G LTE and standard built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. It provides a mobile hub for drivers and passengers to stay connected. The hotspot is on whenever the vehicle is on and comes with a three-month/three gigabyte data trial.
4G LTE is the most current and fastest mobile data network - 10 times faster than 3G and 100 times faster than the previous generation of OnStar hardware. And with OnStar, it also offers stronger, broader coverage than smartphones on the same network and it's easy to use: If the vehicle is on, the connection is on.
At the time of purchase, six months of OnStar Directions and Connections includes all of OnStar's advisor-based safety and security features, including Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Assistance, as well as turn-by-turn navigation.
Five years of OnStar Basic Plan includes RemoteLink Key Fob Services, allowing owners to remotely start and lock/unlock a car (if properly equipped), and activate the horn and lights from anywhere with a data connection. It also includes OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, which runs monthly checks of a vehicle's engine, transmission, anti-lock brakes and more, and Dealer Maintenance Notification, which sends a diagnostic report directly to a preferred dealer to simplify service scheduling.
Efficient and fun driving experience
Spark is powered by an Ecotec 1.2L dual-overhead cam four-cylinder engine with continuously variable valve timing that delivers SAE-certified 84 horsepower (63 kW). It is mated to a standard five-speed manual transmission or an available continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The dual-range CVT provides seamless gear transmission designed to enhance efficiency and acceleration, for a more pleasurable driving experience. It also enables EPA-estimated 30 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. The standard manual transmission is also rated at 39 mpg on the highway, meaning that whether owners prefer to shift for themselves or let the Spark take care of gear changes, they'll achieve great efficiency on city streets or on long road trips.
Spark's body-frame-integral structure is tight and stiff for sportier driving dynamics, complementing the performance of the 1.2L engine. Electric power steering and a MacPherson strut front suspension are designed to deliver taut handling characteristics that better connect the driver with the road and provide outstanding overall stability. Anti-lock brakes, StabiliTrak electronic stability control and Hill Start Assist are standard.
Hill Start Assist helps prevent drivers from rolling when restarting from a stopped position on a hill. It allows drivers to take their foot off the brake long enough to use the accelerator and move forward.
Spark is equipped with vented front disc and rear drum brakes for excellent stopping performance and good pedal feel. Low rolling-resistance all-season tires use a silica compound and unique tread design to enhance efficiency.
Spark safety and security
Spark offers crash-avoidance technologies such as StabiliTrak and ABS, and helps protect occupants in the event of a crash with 10 standard air bags, including both driver and passenger front knee air. Dual-stage frontal air bags, seat-mounted side air bags and side curtain air bags that extend over the front and rear seating rows are also standard.
Other safety technologies include:
Rollover sensing system
Three-point safety belts in all four seating positions
Seat belt pretensioners in the front driver and passenger seats
LATCH child seat attachment system
Adjustable head restraints
Collapsible steering column
OnStar safety and security system.