GM Korea launches The Next Spark
Models pose next to the new Spark GM Korea unveiled during a press event at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, Wednesday. The sales for the latest Spark, developed by Korean staff in collaboration of a global team, will start in August and eventually be exported to 40 countries. The base price starts from 10.15 million won. / Yonhap
By Park Jin-hai
GM Korea unveiled the latest version of its Spark in a press event, prior to it going on sale in August.
It is the next generation mini car that has been developed by Korean staff with the collaboration of GM’s global team, and will be produced at its Changwon plant from this month to be exported to 40 countries.
“The Spark is one great-looking car with features that redefine the segment,” said GM Korea President and CEO Sergio Rocha during the press event at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, showing his confidence in the car that will be the major rival of the Kia Morning in one of the most competitive small-car segment.
“It is a state-of-the-art vehicle, which will accelerate our business in the country, and further leverage the role of GM Korea with the GM global business," Rocha added.
The new Spark has a downsized 1-liter three-cylinder Ecotec engine, which can produce a maximum of 75 horsepower and 9.7 kilogram-meters torque. It is also equipped with the next-generation C-Tech transmission.
The fully changed Spark has improved safety features including forward collision alert, lane departure warning and side blind spot alert. More than 70 percent use of high strength steel, which is a first in the segment, greatly improved its body strength.
The car is the first domestically produced car to mount the Apple CarPlay, which allows drivers to make calls, send and receive text messages, and listen to podcasts.
The new Spark is available in three versions ― C-Tech, Eco and Manual. The Spark Eco has fuel efficiency of 15.7 kilometers per liter on city roads, followed by the manual with 15.4 and C-Tech with 14.8.
A total of 10 colors are available for its exterior, as well as four colors for the interior.
The price tag for the Spark ranges from 10.15 million won to 14.99 million won, depending on the version.
The Spark is one of the carmaker’s best-selling models, with more than 1 million being sold globally. It is ranked the second-most popular small car in the local market, behind Kia’s Morning.
GM Korea sold more than 60,000 Sparks last year, accounting for 40 percent of the carmaker’s total sales last year.
The new Spark started receiving preorders on Wednesday and sales will start here from next month. It will be exported to 40 countries in the latter half of the year.