THE smallest car makes the biggest impact as far as Chevrolet is concerned. Sitting on a new platform, the Spark is wider than the Matiz city car it replaces to provide more room for occupants and greater levels of comfort. Power is higher too, thanks to a new 1.2-litre four-cylinder motor that replaces the three-cylinder unit in the long-serving model retained by GM after taking over troubled Daewoo a few years ago. A one-litre motor is also available and matches the larger unit's average 55.4mpg and 119g/km emissions. Thanks to its wider stance, the longer and design scores high marks for efficient space packaging and behaves with a far greater level of assurance than its predecessor on the open road while a tight turning circle means it is just as easy to thread through congested city streets and slot in supermarket car park spaces. Styling that's more acceptable across global markets is backed up by a dashboard that mixes pleasant plastic surfaces and metallic-style trim. Sharing its attractive front appearance with the bigger Cruze model, this is a cheerful car available in bright colours. Standard equipment on the Spark+ includes air conditioning, electric front windows and central locking and the LS adds larger wheels and remote locking, while the top version LT comes with 15-inch alloys, climate control an exterior body kit and a six-speaker audio system. The Spark follows on from the success of another Chevrolet model, the Cruze, which was introduced last year. | 
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