We’ve sadly handed back our medium term Chevrolet Spark Lite’s keys to the folk at General Motors. We say sadly because the Lite, as an urban runabout, cannot be faulted. Sure, its 995cc four-cylinder, 48.5kW mill isn’t going to win any races but that wasn’t the design brief was it?
Reliability and frugal topped the brief as did a fair level of comfort and standard fitment. Our Spark hardly put a wheel wrong in the almost three months with us and besides a clutch cable that appeared to have moved, returned home sans rattles. GM’s claim of 5.8 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres wasn’t far off the mark and our 6.2 figure was more than acceptable given its entire urban travels.
The Litre LS has most of the creature comforts you’d want around town - central locking, a standard CD radio, power steering, front electric windows, remote mirrors and remote opening of the fuel flap and boot are all standard, along with a driver’s airbag. Air conditioning is standard, too, although given the low engine power output using it tends to slow you down somewhat. Think of an arrester bed…
On the subject of arresting speed, Lite is equipped with discs upfront and drums at the rear - standard fare in this segment. They’re more than up to the job while pedal feel is pretty direct and positive.
The rear isn’t that big so transporting passengers should be limited to shorter runs, while the lack of a temperature gauge is a bit concerning.
That said, the instrument proved clear and easy to read, the headlights adequate and generally it’s a pretty satisfying drive given the price. Like most small cars in this segment, highway driving at the speed limit doesn’t yield a confidence-inspiring drive and even a strong gust of wind unsettles your preferred direction of travel.
Could the Spark Lite be improved? Our feeling is yes - dump the airbag and give me ABS. I’d rather prevent being in an accident than get some protection once involved. If there’s some change left over, then add in the airbag. At R98 700 it’s under the all important R100k mark and will find favour among a broad range of buyers.
The warranty on the Chevrolet Spark Lite is an impressive 5 years or 120 000km. Included is Roadside Assistance for the full warranty period and 5yrs unlimited km anti-corrosion warranty.
