Latest news with #electricdrivetrain
Auto Blog
6 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.
Top Gear
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Vauxhall's GSE Rally prototype is a beefed-up Mokka with 280bhp
First Look Now stick all this motorsport tech and rally goodness in a limited edition road car, Vauxhall Skip 3 photos in the image carousel and continue reading While the regular Vauxhall Mokka might not be especially memorable, this new GSE Rally prototype certainly appears to be. Folks, we could well be looking at a Mokka that's actually exciting. That's because this Mokka GSE Rally is the first ever car developed in line with FIA's new eRally5 regulations. That's right, Vauxhall is taking the Mokka racing. The GSE Rally is set to make its debut in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup between 23-24 May. Advertisement - Page continues below So, how has Vauxhall turned the standard Mokka into a rally car? By fitting fancy Bilstein suspension and a racing gearbox. It even has a limited-slip differential, reinforced drive shafts as well as modified front and rear axles. So far so good. There's the same 54kWh battery as the road car, but here it's powering a beefier electric drivetrain, with outputs boosted to 280bhp and 254lb ft of torque. Everything's been tweaked for better efficiency and drivability, too. You might like Naturally it forgoes driver aids, so there's no ABS, ESP, lane-keep assist or traction control. Instead you get an FIA-certified roll cage, and rally seats fitted with six-point harnesses. Visual changes over the road car are fairly obvious. Because there's no missing the roof air intake, brighter paintwork, yellow brake callipers, new wheels, and that giant 'OMG' decal. How very... dignified. Advertisement - Page continues below "With our new Mokka GSE Rally, we are offering a glimpse of a fully electric next-generation rally car," said Vauxhall/Opel boss Florian Huettl. "Thanks to the latest motorsport technology, the prototype offers potent performance and power in equal measure.' Now stick all of that into a road car, please. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
