Welcome to the intriguing yet confusing world of spy shots and interrelated group models. You may remember our scoop on the 2016 Chevrolet Spark from this past February when we noted that the GM sub-compact lost its hidden rear door handles. So what’s the deal with this model then? Well, as it turns out, the previous shots were not of the Spark but of its twin brother, the new Opel Agila.
As evidenced from our recent scoop on the Agila, the two models are very closely related keeping the same profile and even door lines, but will feature different elements adapted to each brand’s styling language, such as the positioning of the rear door handles – traditional on the Opel, next to the side window on the Chevy.
Chevrolet’s decision to abandon the European market by 2016 eliminates any problems by (styling) association.
The new Spark is expected to benefit from GM’s newly announced range of small displacement three- and four-cylinder gasoline engines, as well as a battery-powered version.
Sources from within GM have said that the new Spark will launch in the first half of 2015. The Detroit maker itself said last week that it plans to “introduce three new vehicles, including a new addition to Chevrolet’s small-vehicle portfolio” at next week’s New York Auto Show, but it’s not clear if it means the Spark’s replacement.
By John Halas
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS
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