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Sunday, 16 December, 2012 11:40 AM

Chevrolet debuts the 2014 Spark EV; teases new Corvette at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

by Jason Rzucidlo americajr@americajr.com

WATCH: Chevrolet Press Conference at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

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LOS ANGELES -- We told you it was coming. AmericaJR.com was proud to be the first news outlet to announce that the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV would be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show this year. It is much smaller than the Chevrolet Volt. The Spark EV is General Motors' first pure electric vehicle since the EV1 project was scrapped in 2003.

The Spark EV will be equipped with a 20-kWh lithium-ion battery and an electric motor that will produce 130 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. The total range of this pure electric vehicle has not yet been announced. However, GM says it will be the best in its segment. In addition, it will be the first EV with the option of DC fast charging, allowing for the battery to be 80 percent charged in just 20 minutes. In the past, DC fast charging was discouraged because experts said it would permanently damage the battery life.

"It's a fun city car with all the benefits of an electric car including HOV lane access here in California," said Pam Fletcher, GM's Executive Chief Engineer for Electrified Vehicles. "Plus, it's a spirited, fun-to-drive car with really great performance and an electric range that's among the best in its class. It also benefits from the technologies and experience of its big brother, the Chevrolet Volt."

The battery pack weighs 560 pounds and consists of 336 prismatic cells. The vehicle's drive unit and motor will be built at GM's manufacturing facility in White Marsh, Md. It will become the first modern electric vehicle to be completely built and assembled in the United States. Remember, there is no gasoline on this new model -- it is completely electric.

Other features on the Spark EV include Chevrolet's MyLink radio, BringGo navigation, TuneIn global internet radio, Pandora and Stitcher. Apple's Siri will come standard for customers with the iPhone 4S and newer. The Spark EV will come in the following colors: electric blue, black granite, summit white, silver ice and cappuccino brown.

"So you can see how it translates into quick acceleration, going from 0-60 in under 8 seconds!" Fletcher added. "That easily beats the Nissan Leaf -- and makes you look for a reason to take it out for a drive. Subtract the price of gasoline and the cost of ownership is about the same as a regular Spark. That helps make the Spark EV a real-world option for urban customers looking for a fun, emissions-free alternative."

Initially, the Spark EV will go on sale in California, Oregon, Canada and South Korea beginning in the summer of 2013. It will be priced at just under $32,500 before a $7,500 federal tax credit. The state of California is expected to offer an additional tax credit of $2,500 bringing the total cost down to less than $23,000 making it one of the most affordably priced electric vehicles on the market.

The automaker also announced its partnership with the new PlayStation video game, Gran Turismo 5. Gamers can test drive a camouflaged version of the next generation Corvette that will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit next month.

"It all starts January 13th when we introduce the next generation Corvette in Detroit," said Mark Reuss, GM's President of North America. "All I can tell you right now is that the new Corvette will offer an entirely new driving experience - one that's refined, and redefined. There are just a handful of engineers authorized to drive the Corvette test vehicles on our proving grounds . And you can tell right away which ones they are - they're the ones wearing permanent smiles."

This was the first time an automaker worked with a video game designer to promote a new vehicle before it has gone into production.

"I was very honored to be one of the first test drivers of the new Corvette," said Kazunori Yamauchi, President of Polyphony Digital. "Its handling, speed, styling and refinement are a perfect fit in Gran Turismo. I hope all Gran Turismo players will enjoy test-driving the new Corvette as I did. You can start downloading the camouflaged Corvette at the PlayStation Store right now."

General Motors is in the process of launching 13 new models in 2013. I think the automaker took a huge step forward with the announcement of Spark EV. It was a complete turnaround for GM. Bob Lutz canceled the EV1 project in 2003 then GM was the first automaker to release a plug-in hybrid with the Chevrolet Volt in 2010 and now the Spark EV is in the pipeline.

For more information or to purchase tickets to the Los Angeles Auto Show, visit www.laautoshow.com.

Related Stories: Fiat shows off three new models at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Mustangs from the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Porsche introduces 2014 Cayman and Cayman S at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Mazda reveals the 2014 Mazda6 at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Honda debuts the 2013 Civic at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Nissan unveils the Hi-Cross Concept at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Subaru shows off the 2014 Forester crossover at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show; Jaguar reveals the 2014 F-Type sports car at 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

The Spark EV produces 100 kW of power and 400 lb.-ft. of torque.

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Polyphony Digital President Kazunori Yamauchi and GM North America President Mark Reuss announced that the new Chevrolet Corvette GT5 DLC is available on Gran Turismo 5.

 

[ Click here for more coverage of the Los Angeles Auto Show ] Visit the official website of the Los Angeles Auto Show   The Los Angeles Auto Show has the rare distinction of being recognized by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA), one of only two in the U.S.