Chevrolet Spark with a 800cc engine?

[itwasntme]

Guys,

What Car's October issue mentions that GM is considering launching a cheaper variant of the Spark with a 796cc engine. This will make the Spark even better value for money by lowering the price by 20k. Mileage should be very good too if the Matiz is anything to go by.

Internationally, GM sells the 800cc Spark with a 4 speed automatic as well. Could that be in the works as well?

It should also be good news for all Matiz owners. While the engine will be 'reworked', it will probably be the same Daewoo Matiz 796cc block with a new ECU or a ECU remap.

Googled and found:
Old 800cc Spark AT review: The Automobile Association of Singapore - Chevrolet Spark

[wanderlustindia]

An ideal car for city runabouts. I would consider it as a second car. Any timeframe for this to turn into reality?

[k_ajay]

That is correct. I read this info on October's ACI mag too, in which they were mentioning about GM's new plant in Talegaon [did I get that name right?]

[aaggoswami]

They are planning this for quite sometime now. However, the cost advantage wont be much. What I mean is that the prices of Spark are already a bit low, and if they plan 800cc then both 1000cc and 200cc will be placed a bit too close in market and possibly overlapping each other.
Not the best solution.

[TheHorse]

considering the falling sales of M800, this is a daring move by GM. If pieces fall in place for them, then they can make big bucks out of it. 'A' segment has been the biggest segment in terms of volume so lets see

[greenhorn]

probably they'll discontinue the 1L engine for the base and PS variants and slash the base version prices further

[madhokritesh]

The orignal Daewoo Matiz had a 800cc MPFI engine with a 5speed gear box, so the new 800Spark would most likely retain that Gearbox.

[nevertouchme]

I read some where in the forum about 'Spark Delivery Blues' - Now it's 3 months and with an 800 CC and 50 K to 75 k less than the current model, I can foresee a 6 month wait.

I drove a spark 2 months back- It drives well and the gear shift is extremely smooth- It was more like a toy-

[Mpower]

Going back to the original Matiz formula. Should be good for FE and price and give the Alto a run for its money.

[mail4ajo]

The car in its original form with 800cc took on the Zen, Santro etc when it was introduced. So there is no reason it cant give the Alto a kick. Provided if offered at a good price without stripping the car too much of the goodies.

[kcstheg]

I think its a good move by GM (If they do launch this car soon). Even the 1ltr Spark has great FE. This one would surely up it by atleast 1-1.5kmpl

The 800Spark with AC+PS for 2.5 odd ex-showroom would really kill the alto.

For all you know, India and Spark might be the only country and car left to GM pretty soon!!

[sukiwa]

GM going back to original engine capacity of Spark(Matiz). It would have been much better if they had continued same old engine with few improvements. Wonder what kind of strategy GM, India follows. GM has already goofed up pricing of Spark, price revisions every six months or so.

Launching Spark with 800cc engine would have been better in first place. It would have also complemented with Aveo UVA 1.2 as next segment car.
Never been able to understand GM, India strategies.

[yzfrj]

Would have made much more sense in the beginning.
Now is't it like

[Glifford]

Originally Posted by yzfrj

Would have made much more sense in the beginning.
Now is't it like

Why? I think the Spark is doing pretty well now. The sightings on the road and wait times are proof of the same.

But that said, it will only make sense for the customer IFF:

1. Offers significant price reduction (which I doubt considering it would involve significant tooling costs for GM in the short run). In the long run maybe because material costs would be lower.

2. Offers higher mileage. Quite possible, but performance may suffer esp. with the AC on.

That said, we have seen engine size reductions (due to excise norms) do well in some cases like in the Xeta.

But not so well in other cases like the Getz or the Palio Stile.

On the other hand, engine enlargements have been pretty successful too like in the case of the Santro (1.0 to 1.1) and the Bajaj Discover (125 to 135) because they offered better performance with negligible economy loss!

So this move (if really happening) would be anyone's guess!

[ashthedivx]

Nevertheless a good move by GM. Assuming they add the 3 year service holiday warranty to 800cc Spark will make certainly it a nice overall deal.