Holden’s all-new, street-smart city car, the Barina Spark has made its local debut. The five-door hatch delivers an attractive combination of sharp sports styling and edgy cabin design, backed by best-in-class safety features.
The 1.2 litre Barina Spark complements the existing Holden Barina hatch and sedan range. It becomes the smallest model in the Holden portfolio competing in the fast-growing light car segment.
Holden Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, John Elsworth, said the ‘Barina Spark has what it takes to stand out from the competition. The design is fresh and energetic which breaks the ‘cute car’ mould. There’s nothing look-alike about Barina Spark, which underlines its appeal as a city car with attitude.’
Its safety story is a big plus, given that Barina Spark is one of the only cars in its class with electronic stability control and six airbags as standard feature.
Spark is a General Motors global design inspired by the Chevrolet Beat concept vehicle that was singled out by a majority of 1.9 million internet voters as the car they most wanted to see produced from a trio of show cars at the 2007 New York Auto Show. GM will introduce the Spark to more than 150 markets around the world and its Australian debut follows a successful European launch in 2010.
Holden gives buyers the choice of two five-door models, the Barina Spark CD and Barina Spark CDX. They come equipped with sports body kit, alloy wheels, fog lamps and tailgate spoiler as standard, along with such high-level safety features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and six-airbag occupant protection.
Both are powered by a lively 1.2 litre four-cylinder petrol engine, teamed with five-speed manual transmission. Fuel economy is frugal at a reported 5.6 litres per 100 kilometres. It also achieves a 5-star rating in the Federal Government’s Green Vehicle Guide with CO2 emissions calculated at 128 grams per kilometre.
Clever design cues give Barina Spark the look of a sporty three-door while it delivers five-door functionality. A close look at the dynamic, wedge-shaped profile and clean bodyside shows up hidden rear door handles, integrated into the upper part of the door.
The same edgy touch is evident in fashion-forward cabin treatments which mix fun and functionality. They’re typified by a motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster mounted on the steering column which includes an ice-blue illuminated analogue speedometer backed by digital tachometer and trip computer functions which include distance to empty and an outside temperature display.
An integrated centre stack housing infotainment, audio and climate controls continues the ice-blue LED backlighting theme. The dual cockpit layout is highlighted by colour-coded (silver or red dependant on exterior colour) door trim appliqués and textured inserts which flow from the instrument panel into the doors. Trim colours are echoed in seat trims: perforated Sportec for the Spark CDX, fresh fabric for the Spark CD.
Barina Spark CD and CDX boast a high level of standard safety features. They deliver the active safety benefits of Electronic Stability Control (ESC), incorporating an anti-lock braking system, brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution and traction control. Occupants are protected by a total of six airbags -dual front, front side impact and full length curtain airbags.
The many electronic capabilities of ESC make for precise, controlled braking performance, backed by exceptional traction and stability.
The Barina Spark CD carries a recommended retail price tag of $12,490 and the Barina Spark CDX is priced at $13,990 – great prices even after you add on dealer delivery and statuary charges.
Cruze Hatch
Holden’s design talents were showcased to the world when a five-door Cruze hatchback show car is unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.
Chevrolet Europe has released the first images of the highly anticipated global model which was designed and built by Holden’s Port Melbourne design studio.
The show car with its sweeping coupe roofline and short overhangs is a precursor to a production model, also designed by Holden that will be built in several countries, including Australia where it will start product in late 2011.
Holden Chief Designer Richard Ferlazzo said the project had been a significant undertaking for the studio which had spent more than 12 months working with GM designers from around the world developing the hatch variant.
The Holden Design Studio is an important part of General Motors global design network, as one of only three facilities in the world with the capability to design and build prototype concept vehicles for exhibitions and international auto shows.
Andrew Koch
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