Chevrolet Spark
Rayclan Chevrolet
Addendum Lane, Pembroke
Telephone: 292-3891
Price: Starts at $19,000
Class: B
There is a new Chevy Spark in town.
The economical, no-nonsense family car has been upgraded again by Chevrolet and it hit the showroom floors at the beginning of March.
It is a class B car so will only set you back around $380 when it comes to re-licensing it every year.
This 2011 model comes in manual or automatic and is a four-door variety with plenty of space throughout.
The automatic version costs $21,500 while the manual model comes in at around $19,000. Although the engine is only a 1000cc it is quick through the turns, easy to handle and has good acceleration from a standing start.
It feels smooth and comfortable to drive and in many ways is the ideal run-around for a place like Bermuda.
The new Spark is economical — it does around 20km to the litre.
It is also simple and versatile. It would suit a family as much as it would suit a young professional couple.
There is plenty of space in this car for a few kids to fit in the back and the trunk is a good size to carry around everything you need for a trip to the beach or a journey home from the supermarket.
The Spark boasts plenty of legroom in the back and the roof is nice and high so you do not feel cramped or squashed.
It also has plenty of little cubbyholes where you can store your sunglasses, credit cards or morning coffee.
The long reclining windscreen gives you an excellent view of the road and power steering makes parking and manoeuvring in heavy traffic a doddle.
This new Chevy is compact and robust and looks a little bit like a space buggy.
It comes complete with roof rack rails, alloy wheels, fog lamps and a host of extra accessories.
You have the benefit of electric windows in the front and the back as well as air conditioning and heating depending on the season.
The automatic gearbox is basic but effective. There is no jerking through the gears — the change up and change down is controlled and barely noticeable.
The CD player is also tuned into an iPod adapter — so you get a choice of radio, CD or iPod when you are on the road.
The Spark is not trying to be something it is not.
Functional
If you are looking for a functional car that is not full of fancy frills then it will be right up your street.
It is smart and clean inside. The dark fabric of the chairs goes well with the black vinyl finish.
It boasts keyless entry and a simple steering wheel with two paddles for indicating and switching your wipers on.
Perhaps the most frivolous feature on the new Spark is the driver’s dash — or at least the lack of it.
Sure you have the speedometer — which usefully comes in kilometres per hour rather than miles per hour so you have no excuse if you get caught speeding.
But strapped on to the side of this disc-shaped speedo is a unique Formula One-esque addition.
The rectangular digital display is all light and action when you hit the road. It details fuel level, revs, temperature, time and all manner of hazard warning lights if you were to run out of oil or overheat for example.
It is a nice little addition — and not too tacky.
Overall the Spark is great little runaround.
It is economical and will appeal to a variety of people who want a car for purely functional reasons. Amy Greenslade from Rayclan Chevrolet said: “The Spark has always been a popular car for us.
“I think a lot of people like it because it is practical and reliable.
“The new Spark follows in the same kind of mould.
“It has a few added extras but at the end of the day it is a good car that does not cost an arm and a leg to buy or to run.
“We won’t be getting this vehicle in until the beginning of March but we have high hopes that it’s going to be a popular model.
“In these times when people are trying to cut back on their spending and save a few pennies this might just be the solution to all their wishes.”
Rayclan Cheverolet is based at 4 Addendum Lane South in Pembroke.
To find out more about the Chevy Spark give the firm a call on 292-3891.