Facelifted Spark, diesel Malibu revealed

Chevrolet has revealed details of an upgraded Spark and diesel-powered Malibu, both of which are likely to be available from Holden in Australia.

Due to make their world debuts at the Paris Motor Show in September, where the all-new Cruze wagon and a new 1.4-litre turbo-petrol version of the overseas-only Orlando people-mover will also be shown, both the diesel Malibu and facelifted Spark should go on sale here next year.

Fresh from launching its first electrified vehicle in the US-built Volt plug-in hybrid this week, Holden will release its all-new Thai-sourced Colorado 7 off-roader and Korean-made Cruze Sportwagon in October.

Europe’s Cruze wagon is offered with 1.6 and 1.8-litre petrol engines, plus a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol and two turbodiesel engines – an economy-leading 1.7 that consumes just 4.5L/100km and an upgraded 2.0-litre diesel.

Also likely to be revealed in Australian form at Sydney’s Australian International Motor Show in October are the all-new Trax compact SUV, which makes its world debut in Paris, and the mid-size Malibu sedan, which is also due on sale here in the second quarter of next year.

The local Malibu line-up is likely to be launched with both petrol and diesel engine options – both matched with automatic transmissions – following the release of an oil-burning version in Europe this week.

Chevrolet said the Malibu’s 2.0-litre diesel, which joins the 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol model already on sale in Europe, features high-pressure common-rail fuel-injection, dual overhead camshafts and a variable-geometry turbocharger with intercooler. The Malibu diesel delivers about 120kW at 4000rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1750rpm – similar outputs to the 2.0-litre diesel in the Cruze, but less than the 2.2-litre turbodiesel in the Captiva (135kW/400Nm).

Meantime, it’s not clear if the facelifted Spark will be seen in Sydney or when it will become available here, but the revised model’s new headlight covers and front bumper (including a more aggressive full-length lower air inlet housing silver foglight bezels but not the Chevrolet model’s split grille) should provide an indication of the Holden model’s new look.

Holden recently said it would soon introduce a long-awaited automatic version of the Spark, sales of which are down almost 65 per cent to July this year with less than 1000 sold, which could be introduced as part of a midlife makeover for the pint-size Korean-built micro first launched here in October 2010.

Europe MY13 Spark also features new 14 and 15-inch alloy wheels, a new high-mounted central LED stop light in the roof spoiler, fresh interior trim highlights and a remodelled centre console with enhanced storage.

Holden’s Barina Spark is one of Australia’s cheapest new cars, priced from $12,490 plus on-road costs or $13,990 drive-away. It is powered by a 59kW/107Nm 1.2-litre petrol four that, matched exclusively to a five-speed manual transmission, consumes 5.5L/100km. A more frugal 1.0-litre version is available in Europe.

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