We won't get into the entire history of the Chevrolet Spark, and how it evolved from Daewoo Matiz. Basically, it is a General Motors product, and the twice-refined version is in Nigeria. We sort of think this was the car Nigeria needed some two years back, especially for city ride. However, it is here now, and many of you may go for the sparkle.

Engine and specs:

At one look, the Chevrolet Spark has a new engine, new design, and good price and particularly in good hands. It has got rid of the three-cylinder engine of the old model and in its place is a new 995 cc four-cylinder engine that produces more power than the newly released Fiat Palio Stile 1.1. You get 62.13 bhp (48.5 KW) at 5400 rpm, and 9.02 kgm (90.3 NM) of torque at 4200 rpm which are okey for a car in this class. The five-speed manual gearbox is quite capable and well-sorted out, and most auto review mags have said that the Spark drives well, and the car is sure-footed for something this small.

From very, very far, you may mistake the Chevrolet Spark for a QQ. This car looks more contemporary and you are going to like the way it drives. The Spark sports are edgier-looking headlights, a slightly pronounced bonnet, a bigger and bolder air intake that wears the big bow tie of GM like a license, coloured indicators, and a different waistline. The rear lamps are bolder and brighter, the Spark LT version comes with roof rails on top.

Fuel efficiency is critical in a car like this, and the claimed figures are around 17 kmpl. Real world mileage figures would be a bit less - there is not enough data at this moment to give you a clear answer on exactly what it would be. Expect The Chevrolet Spark to offer 12 kmpl in stop-and-start, city driving - say in Lagos - and 14-15 kmpl in a city like Abuja which has more open roads.