2014 Chevy Spark EV Preview: Los Angeles Auto Show

With all apologies to the fantastic Chevy Volt, it’s the 2014 Chevy Spark EV that finally takes up the mantle of GM’s all-electric EV1 that debuted in the late 1990s. Chevrolet introduced the electrified version of its surprisingly successful Spark minicar during a press preview for the Los Angeles Auto Show, a location perfectly chosen to both win back fans of the EV1 and attract new buyers in some of the green segments’ most important (i.e., West Coast) markets.

Now, like fresh electric entries such as the Honda Fit EV and Toyota RAV4 EV, the 2014 Chevy Spark EV initially will launch to very limited availability. For starters, it will be Oregon and California in this country, as well as South Korea—the car was originally launched by GM Korea—and unnamed “other global markets.” But the folks at Chevrolet seem to have an open mind about expanding sales, both in this country and elsewhere, so much will depend on the car’s reception.

Which, in turn, will be challenged by what’s become a growing number of other city-sized EVs that are in testing, on sale or about to launch, including the Fiat 500e, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, BMW i3, and Smart fortwo electric drive.

What’s New for the 2014 Chevy Spark EV

To help the 2014 Chevy Spark EV establish its eco-friendly cred—as well as attract Apple fans—the electric city car includes:

• An electric powertrain that was designed in-house by GM to deliver 130 hp and a staggering 400 lb.-ft. of torque, as well as “among the best EV-range performance in its segment”
• A 20-kWh lithium-ion battery made up of 336 prismatic cells and covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty
• Updated EV-friendly instrumentation, including dual seven-inch LCD screens that can be customized to keep tabs on a range of vehicle systems and infotainment options
• Industry-first fast-charging capabilities that allow owners to charge the Spark EV to 80 percent of its battery capacity in just 20 minutes
• Available access to Apple’s “Siri” (when the car’s Chevy MyLink setup is paired with a compatible iPhone)
• A net price after tax credits of under $25,000
• Single-driver access to California’s high-occupancy vehicle lanes

New 2014 Chevy Spark EV: Styling and Design

Chevrolet used some subtle but effective cues to distinguish the 2014 Chevy Spark EV from its conventionally powered sibling, with the most notable changes coming up front. Here, a NASCAR-esque strategy was deployed, in the sense that the “grille” of the Spark EV is essentially a stylized, grille-shaped design cue. Which is fine from a functional standpoint, since it doesn’t need to worry about allowing air in to help cool its non-existent gas engine. The result gives the Spark EV a more technical look, enhanced by a decision to split the vehicle’s foglight pockets and lower air intake into their own separate compartments—gone is the sort of “grimace” that seemed to have been borrowed from the newer Kia products.

An even lighter touch was used at the rear of the car, where there’s a cleaner, more sculpted and aerodynamic finish to the rear bumper area that comes from not having to deal with an exhaust system.

In the cabin, the biggest change comes to the instrument panel. While the “regular” Spark showcases an asymmetric setup dominated by a circular speedometer casing, the 2014 Chevy Spark EV presents a more premium, but less stylish, dual-LCD cluster, complete with a “confidence gauge” that displays information about the vehicle’s driving range. While the switch was understandable, and better emphasizes the EV’s enhanced technology, it does eliminate one of the Spark’s more distinctive interior design cues.

New 2014 Chevy Spark EV: What’s Under the Hood

There is—obviously—an all-electric powertrain driving the 2014 Chevy Spark EV, and it will set important benchmarks in a couple of different areas. For those shoppers looking to support the U.S. manufacturing sector, the car’s coaxial drive unit and electric motor will both be assembled at a General Motors facility in Maryland, marking the first time a domestic automaker has built the complete system in this country since the current crop of EVs began arriving. (Although the parts themselves will be “globally sourced.”)

But what should be more important for the success of the 2014 Chevy Spark EV is the fact that its U.S.-built powertrain delivers both impressive levels of power and plenty of driving range. As regards the former, Chevrolet is claiming outputs of 130 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s 55 percent more horsepower than you get in the gas-powered Spark—and 5 more lb.-ft. of torque than offered by the HEMI-powered Dodge Charger R/T. Needless to say, acceleration should be rather brisk, and, as Mark Reuss—president of GM North America—points out: “When you engineer a technology-filled, all-electric mini car that goes from zero-to-60 mph in less than eight seconds, customers won’t miss the gas.”

Better yet, charging the Spark will seem nearly as fast when compared to most other EVs on the market. That’s because the Chevy also will be the first EV compatible with the SAE’s Combo DC Fast Charging standards, which will let drivers juice up the Spark’s lithium-ion battery to 80 percent of capacity in a mere 20 minutes. The 2014 Chevy Spark EV also can be charged using a 240-volt outlet, in fewer than seven hours; it can even be plugged into a "normal" 120-volt outlet, although it will take an unspecificied, but certainly much longer, time to charge. Still, that does cover a fair number of bases. 

New 2014 Chevy Spark EV: Features and Technology

Beyond its high-tech, high-efficiency powertrain—and reconfigurable LCD instrument panel—the 2014 Chevy Spark EV also will feature some nifty new comfort and convenience technologies, including one that could mark a true breakthrough for Chevy, and GM as a whole: Owners who have a compatible iPhone (4S or newer, running IOS 6) will be able to use the car’s Chevy MyLink infotainment system to access “Siri,” Apple’s digital personal assistant.

Siri will be able to assist with hands-free calling, text messaging and music streaming, but will operate only in an “Eyes Free,” no-screen mode to minimize the risk of driver distraction.

The capability will be standard on the Spark EV, as will the MyLink system, which also can deliver access to a wide variety of smartphone-based apps, including BringGo for full-function nav assistance.

New 2014 Chevy Spark EV: What Autobytel Thinks

At this stage in the game, the 2014 Chevy Spark EV looks like it could bring the U.S. auto industry a significant step closer to ye olde tipping point as far electric-vehicle acceptance goes. The car offers a relatively low cost, Apple-friendly technology, a dash of driving excitement, quick-charging capabilities and what should be more than enough range for most owners.

As mentioned above, Chevrolet is still being somewhat vague about what that range will be, but to match the brand’s claim that it will be competitive with the best in the car’s segment would translate into something near 80 miles—that’s the number the Chrysler Group is using for its similarly sized FIAT 500 EV.

Considering that the conventionally engined Spark has become a bit of a surprise success for Chevy during its short time on the market, it wouldn’t be a shock if the 2014 Chevy Spark EV did the same.