The upside of a downsize

Chevy light up their line-up for 2016 with the newly revamped mini Spark.

With the financial recession showing its ugly face every now and then, we turn our focus to the most affordable segment of the automotive industry - the sub-compacts. These A-to-B commuters are certainly not anyone's first choice; even auto-manufacturers seem to care less about the style, safety and quality they offer in the cars within this segment. But there is hope for 2016, with the all-new Chevrolet Spark rolling into showrooms. Chevy promises that tasteless design and cheap quality plastics are a thing of a past. We take a closer look! 
Design and Aesthetics
The fourth generation Spark - second for us folk in the Middle East - was unveiled at the April 2015 New York International Auto Show, and the production car has made it to our shores right on time.
The first generation Spark for the Middle East was released in 2009. It was an imaginatively styled car, but to some it seemed like a scaled up variant of a dinky car that wouldn't leave you surprised if you found out that it was manufactured by Maisto or Hot Wheels. Chevy has taken those compact dimensions, pulled, squeezed and dropped its heights to make it something less comical, more mature. It's now 3,636mm from head to haunch, and maintains some 2,385mm between the front and rear wheels, giving it a more planted look.
The dual-port grille with Chevy's signature 'bowtie' emblem is flanked by large swept-back headlamps that stretch into the front fenders. Unfortunately, in the GCC, we don't get the fancy LED daytime run-ners to underline the headlamps, but the Spark's still got a cute front fascia.
Fluidity of design continues with the window shapes that are dictated by the single arc roofline and the monotony of flat sheet metal of the doors is broken by two other creases. pronounced ones - one across the front door incorporating the chrome door handles, and the other arching over the rear wheels. Rear passengers have a camouflaged blacked out door handle on the rear edge of the door instead of the body: this design cue is a carryover from the last model.
The Korean roots are seen in the rear end design of this car, especially with abstract shaped rear vertical lamps.
To abandon some of those dinky car looks, Chevy has dropped the ride height by 40 mm; being closer to the ground definitely adds to the car's dynamic abilities. Chevy has also equipped the Spark with some stylish 16" alloy wheels to negate some of that familiar rental car banality. All in all, the Spark is a cute road companion that manages to look pleasant in that metallic light green. We think other paint schemes would do just as good.
Entry is made easy by the smart access function, which is a boon, especially for a car in this segment with a base price closer to Dh35k. And the cavity is large enough, which means that you don't really need to kneel before you enter. Once in, you would bear witness to a snug interior that provides sufficient space up front, even for those have the top of their hairs touching the 6ft mark. My knee kept knocking the centre-console, but that's a problem you face in most small cars.
Texturally, there is a familiar Chevy feel in this car with the cabin architecture and materials, and a few deviations. Straight ahead from the driver's seat is a nicely sized, thick steering wheel, with steering mounted controls and some aluminum trims.
The centre-console has a stylised look that mimics an oversized Nokia 6600 - a super popular phone back in the day - and probably has a screen the same size, relatively speaking, of course. New volume control and other physical butt-ons reduce complexity and user exp-erience, in its little ways.
As for technology, you do get a 7" MyLink that displays content from Apple iPhone 5 or later models on the multi-colour screen through the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay features. Supported apps for the systems include phone, messages, maps, music and compatible third-party apps. And like a smartphone, the capacitive-touch display allows them to perform gestures like swipe, pinch, etc.
Problems, if any, were with the shift lever - it's a little too low for our liking, but does offer good grip and easy action. As for storage, you have two large cup holders and even a ledge to keep your phone and knick-knacks between the dash on the front passenger's side.
When on the move, you feel close to your fellow passenger, enough to have a decent conversation while maintaining good visibility out the window and ergonomic access to the controls. It is a very intimate experience overall.
As for rear seating, it is recommended to seat not more than two adults. 
Powertrain and Performance
The new Spark gets an all-new engine, a rather high-tech one especially considering the price range. Powering this car is a 1.4L inline 4-cylinder ECOTEC engine that gives it a 16 per cent power advantage over its predecessor.
It churns out a 98bhp at 6,000rpm and some 128Nm at 4,000rpm. Good news is, the engine likes to rev and provides plenty of mid-range torque to push you along, smoothly and safely. The base models come with a 5-speed manual whilst higher models get the efficient CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission gear boxes.
The claimed 0-100km/h times of 11.3 seconds is not something Chevy would want to claim, but numbers aside, this puppy has more power than you'd imagine. It's quick to respond to throttle input, it revs easy and rallies past its peers on the highway. A peppy drive, no doubt!
Keep the foot down for long enough and it will hit the 1/4 mile in 17.9 seconds and follow on to an optimistically claimed 186km/h top speed, which may be a bit of a fairy tale. With a curb weight just over 1,000kg, it would seem as the hint of a cross wind would leave the Spark wavering at high speeds, but the Spark holds it course - high speed stability is good. The brakes provide robust stopping power and help you shed speed well.
What's even more impressive is the ride quality. Its rides so well, you'd be amazed there is only half a car behind you - it's not easy to soak up bumps and potholes having just a wheelbase of 2,385mm, but the Spark magically manages to do so.
Usually, we tend to be skeptical of claimed numbers for fuel economy and Chevy's claim of 5.1L/100km seemed a little far-fetched at first, but in our time with the car, the 4-pot toiled away quietly without being too thirsty, meaning owners will have longer drives between petrol fills.
On the road, the new Spark has turned out to be amongst the best cars to drive, which came as a bit of a surprise. In the process, it taught us a lesson or two about prejudice or the reason to never hold one. 
Features and functionality
Small cars often seem like safety hazards, especially in Dubai when you're being chased by mammoth SUVs, so you can never have too many safety features. Helping you negate that feeling are a couple of airbags, for starters. You also get ABS, rear parking assist and Hill Start Assist. The Spark, despite its size, is a bit of an egg shell engineered to carry 4.2 times the weight of the vehicle in the event of a rollover. Now that's your vote of confidence.
With Phone Integration Technology, you can promptly mirror your smartphone display on the Chevrolet MyLink system screen. This allows you to use your phone, see your messages and play your music right from any compatible mobile device via Bluetooth.
The rear seats are split 60/40 and can be dropped down for a more elaborate cargo bay. But you need to follow a certain protocol to make it happen. First, the rear seat bottom rests need to be raised and folded, then you drop the back rests. It's adding another action to the task, but you'll be happy with the extra space.
As for the air-conditioner, drafts from the vents are good and the system maintains its cool, regardless of the environment outside. 
Verdict
Small run-about cars are a cheap and practical, albeit boring way to get around town. The 2016 Chevrolet Spark somehow manages to take that insipid task and make it exciting, courtesy of its brilliant road manners, soft ride and good fuel economy. Chevy is sure to make fans out of stylish eco-oriented customers and garner some pride as well.
Do note that Chevy guarantees a one-hour servicing period, a big plus. It means you can do it over lunch if you get a spot and it only takes two days' advance booking. What matters equally if the regional three-year/100,000km warranty; and four years of regional 24x7 roadside assistance!

Body type          5-seater; 5-door entry-level sub-compact hatchback  Engine ?Front-engine; 1.4L inline 4-cylinder; front-wheel drive  Transmission      Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)  Peak output        - 98bhp @ 6,000rpm          - 128Nm @ 4,000rpm  Price                 Starting at Dh35,900

• On The Road