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What is it? First shown at the 2007 New York auto show, the Chevrolet
Beat was part of a trio of ultra-compact hatchbacks with dramatic styling.
General Motors hosted a survey Web site to gauge public reaction, and it
reaffirmed support for the model it favored to usher into production. At
this years Detroit show, GM announced that it would build the racier of the
so-called triplets and dub it Spark.
Designed in South Korea, the youth-targeted minicar looks like a city
commuter car treated to a tuner cosmetic makeover, with a flared appearance
to the body and relatively large wheels. In concept form, the Beat was
powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine paired with an automatic
transmission. Despite the name change, no announcement was made to suggest
it would be electric powered.
More details will be released when the production version is shown at the
Geneva Motor Show in March, 2009. The Spark will go on sale early 2010 in
Europe and expand to other global markets.
What is new or notable? The Spark is a visible example of how General
Motors is reacting to the changing marketplace by tapping its global
resources.
When will it be available? 2011.
Consumer Reports New cars: A to Z
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