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Auto Blog
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Brazil's Chevy Spark is An Boxy Little SUV We Wish We Got
In the US, we remember the Chevy Spark as a competent, if uninspiring, hatchback. Almost nobody would consider its looks to be a driving force behind its desirability. But that couldn't be further from the case over in Brazil. The retro-styled Chevy Spark is way cooler than the one we got in the US Sadly, the Chevy Spark hatchback came and went in the United States. Here, it only barely even went electric between 2013 and 2016— a miss from both Chevy's engineering and marketing departments, if you ask us. Regardless, even the regular Spark was far from virtueless. After all, it was one of the least expensive new cars on the market at the time it was sold, roughly from 2012 until 2022. In the meantime, Chevrolet has brought a myriad of different Sparks to different regions in the world, and the latest is a boxy electric SUV that we think would be a huge hit in the US market. 2026 Chevrolet Spark 2026 Chevrolet Spark 2026 Chevrolet Spark The little SUV promises all-electric power, but that's hardly where the appeal really lies It's about time. The Spark nameplate practically sold electrification on its own, but Chevy only moved around 7,300 units during its short, electrified stint. Later this year, the Chevy Spark Activ will be introduced in Brazil as the first of five model launches the automaker has in store this year, with a new electric drivetrain and styling that makes boxy rivals like the Bronco blush. Why Brazil? It's the largest automotive market in Latin America. That said, the cool new Spark will show up in larger South America, Africa, and the Middle East, too. 2026 Chevrolet Spark in Canary Yellow 2026 Chevrolet Spark in Redeemer Gray GM's press release on the SUV says the Spark will debut with a variety of 'vibrant and authentic colors,' which is completely true. Fun colors like Canary Yellow and Atlantic Blue join a more subdued palette of choices like Redeemer Gray. Sadly, we don't have much info on its specs, but the vehicle the Spark is based on is about twenty inches shorter than a Bronco Sport — tiny, around the length of a Miata. It also achieves between 187 and 300 miles of range on a full charge, depending on the battery pack you opt for. It's also most of the reason why US ports will not see any Chevy Spark SUVs. You won't see the Chevy Spark Activ EV coming Stateside — likely, ever The Spark Activ SUV is almost directly copied and pasted from an existing SUV. That itself isn't a big problem — who could stay mad at a face like that? The bigger issue is that the SUV is based on the Baojun Yep Plus, which is sold via a joint venture in China dubbed SAIC-GM-Wuling. Fun fact: the original Baojun Yep only had two doors, which would've made it a fun and interesting competitor for the much-hyped Slate SUV. However, ultimately, it means that US buyers will never get a chance to own one of these cool little SUVs. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Baojun Yep Plus Final thoughts Even if, somehow, the Spark Activ SUV managed to make its way to the US, its tiny dimensions would likely alienate US buyers. The little EV is a full twenty inches shorter than the Bronco Sport. Fully intended as a city car, the Chevy Spark SUV simply wouldn't get much traction in the US. We still wish it would come our way; maybe we'll get something a bit more America-sized with similar styling in the future.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Dispute over car ends in charges for 74-year-old, family member
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A disagreement over a woman's car ended in serious charges for a 74-year-old man and his family member, according to Memphis Police. Carl Shelton, 74, and Marcus Shelton, Jr., 36, have both been charged with aggravated robbery. According to Memphis Police, officers responded to a report of a carjacking at an apartment on Idlewild Street near Union Avenue on April 17. The victim reportedly told officers that he believed that he had been set up. Police say that a friend had told the victim to come to the apartment to get some belongings from another friend's unit. According to a police report, the victim says he was then ambushed by two men. One of them reportedly pointed a silver and blue gun at the victim and demanded his keys and wallet. The suspect allegedly told the victim to 'give me my sister's car back.' Baby shoe sale leads to robbery with shots fired: MPD The victim reportedly told police that the other suspect got into the car, a 2013 Chevy Spark, and tried to leave the parking lot. Memphis Police say the victim tried to stop the suspect by stepping in front of the car, but was struck and fell to the ground. The suspects then fled the scene in the Chevy Spark and a brown four-door sedan. Police say the victim had lacerations and scrapes on his hands and shoulders but did not want to be taken to the hospital. According to police, the victim told officers that the Chevy Spark belonged to his girlfriend, who had permitted him to drive it. Memphis grapples with rising youth crime, teen victims Police say that officers spoke to the friend who asked the victim to come to the apartment. She reportedly told officers that she was unaware of the incident. According to police, she also told officers that the victim's girlfriend had said that she and the victim had been in a dispute over returning the car. A couple of hours after the incident, officers reportedly spotted the Chevy Spark at the Winbranch Apartments. Officers found Carl Shelton inside the car and took him into custody. Memphis Police say officers learned that a tan Toyota Prius was possibly involved in the initial carjacking. Officers spotted that vehicle and took the driver, Marcus Shelton, Jr., into custody. Memphis Police say that while officers were on the scene, a woman told them that the Prius belonged to her. She also reportedly told officers that she owned a blue and silver gun that matched the description of the gun used in the robbery. Carl and Marcus Shelton both had bonds of $50,000. Carl Shelton is still being held at the Shelby County Jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Brazen defense of teenage boy who killed young girl in rock attack that's every driver's worst nightmare
A teenage boy facing a murder charge is claiming his undeveloped brain should lessen the punishment for his crime. Joseph Koenig, now 20, allegedly threw a nine-pound rock through Alexa Bartell's windshield on April 19, 2023, killing her. Now, the defense is calling on expert testimony to argue Koenig's 18-year-old brain at the time wasn't developed enough to be considered an adult and that his charges should be dropped to manslaughter, The Denver Post said. They brought on Temple University Psychology Professor, Laurence Steinberg, who claimed Koenig's brain would 'not yet [have] a good braking system in place' at the time of the crime. 'Adolescence is a time when the accelerator in the brain is pushed down to the floor — that is the limbic system,' he testified. He said the young man would have been egged on by his friends Nicholas 'Mitch' Karol-Chik and Zachary Kwak, both then-18, which would have caused a heightened emotional sense that would compromise his decision-making skills, The Post said. Steinberg said that although an 18-year-old's brain can operate like an adult, up to the age of 21, they can act immaturely when in heightened states and when they're with their peers. The psychologist also argued that young people are more impulsive and focused on short-term reward. Bartell's fatal incident was not the only time Koenig and his friends had thrown rocks at cars, The Post said, but on the night of attack, Karol-Chik and Kwak were allegedly cheering Koenig on and encouraging each other to throw rocks. The psychologist argued this would have compromised the then-teen's decision-making. All three were charged with the 20-year-old woman's death. Prosecutors say the men had thrown giant landscaping rocks and hit six other cars that night, but all the other drivers were uninjured. Bartell was on the phone with a friend when a rock smashed into her car and she went quiet. Her friend tracked her phone and drove to the location to find her dead in her car, which had plowed off the road into a field. A friend of the trio told police he'd watched them several hours earlier as they loaded a truck with landscaping rocks taken from a Walmart parking lot. The friend claimed the three boys picked up 'as many as they could carry.' He said he knew 'something bad was going to happen' so asked Koenig, Karol-Chik and Kwak to take him home. The three alleged killers then patrolled roads in the area and searched for passing cars to target. Kwak said they would use 'marine terms' when launching the rocks, adding: 'Mitch would say things like, 'contact left,' before Joseph would throw the rock at a car on the left side of theirs.' He said the rock which killed Bartell made a 'very loud noise... like a rail gun' when it struck her windshield. A bloodstained rock was discovered next to the young woman's yellow Chevy Spark. Koenig was described by a friend as someone who likes creating 'chaos' and would often act in a destructive manner. 'Joseph and Mitch were talking about them now being 'blood brothers' and they could never speak of the incident,' Kwak added. The three reportedly met up the following day to 'get their stories straight.' Karol-Chik and Kwak were interviewed by detectives and each gave different accounts about who threw the rock. Koenig refused to speak to police. The affidavit said one of the suspects said he felt 'a hint of guilt' and revealed the men were traced using data from cell towers in the area.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Springfield woman faces felony charges in skateboarder hit-and-run
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A woman from Springfield has been charged after allegedly hitting a skateboarder and leaving the scene in 2024. According to a criminal complaint filed in court on Thursday, April 10, Tammy Lee Spriggs, born 1988, faces felony charges of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in physical injury and driving while intoxicated resulting in physical injury. Court documents said the incident occurred at Patton and Walnut Street on May 4, 2024, when Spriggs struck a skateboarding pedestrian and fled eastbound on Pershing from S. Campbell. Officers searched the area and located Spriggs in a parking lot. She was detained by officers and appeared to have 'bloodshot/glassy eyes and a faint odor of marijuana emanating from her breath,' the probable cause statement said. On scene, Spriggs told officers she had consumed one wine cooler and 'smoked two blunts,' the statement said. During field sobriety tests, she blew a blood alcohol content of .076%. Officers who had observed the crash while on foot patrol in the downtown district said Spriggs' white 2015 Chevy Spark was traveling at a high rate of speed before ultimately hitting the victim with her vehicle at the crosswalk of Patton and Walnut Street, according to the statement. The victim told officers his foot was ran over and he had skin abrasions to his right arm and elbow area, the statement said. On March 10, 2025, an officer received Missouri State Highway Patrol lab results from Spriggs' blood sample that showed a blood alcohol content level of .083%, while drug results are still pending from the blood sample. Spriggs is due in court in May. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
