The Chevy Spark has (Officially) Lost Its Spark - 2022 Marks the End

The Chevrolet Spark is one of the smallest and cheapest new cars sold in America. Its also one of the few remaining small cars available with a manual transmission.

The least expensive vehicle in America, the Chevrolet Spark, will end production this summer. It first debuted back for the 2013 model year and even had an EV variant at one point. The base price of the Spark is $14,595 after destination and that will get you a 1.4L engine with 98 HP and one of the last remaining vehicles on the market with a manual transmission (a 5-speed manual to be exact) AND manual roll-down windows as well. Opting for the CVT adds $1,100 to the base price. I’ve played with the Build Your Own tool and I see the Spark comes in some interesting color combinations. But with 98 HP on tap, I’m sure this won’t get you anywhere super fast.

This is how I'd get my Spark (if I had to get one) - in the Activ trim with Blue Glow or Crimson paint, a manual transmission and a few options, like the Summer/Winter floor mats and sport pedals. It really looks like this Activ trim should've had AWD, however... That would've made the Spark more unique among subcompact cars.

Until we see if Chevrolet introduces any other sedans (likely electric on the Ultium platform), the Malibu will be Chevy’s last 4-door car standing. I doubt it’ll last longer than another year or two. Beginning with the 2023 model year, the Trax will be the cheapest Chevy on offer, and as you can imagine, it sells in greater numbers because it’s a crossover and that’s what’s popular with buyers right now. I’m honestly surprised the Trax still exists too, given the newer Trailblazer is now on sale.

Well, perhaps we’ll see another EV model in GM’s electric future revive the Spark name.

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Check Out Koenigsegg’s New Electric Motor

Sometimes, there’s truth in the saying “big things come in small packages”. For those of you that are unfamiliar with Koenigsegg, they are a Swedish company that makes super cars. They have developed a new electric motor, named “Quark”, that will be used in the Gemera four-seater. It weighs all of 63 pounds, but be fooled by the size of this motor - it makes 335 HP and 443 lb.-ft. of torque.

This electric motor combines both radial and axial-flux construction to adequately balance power and torque. But its probably worth noting that peak power figures are only available for 20 seconds, after which they taper off drastically. This is pretty typical with electric vehicles and motors. After the aforementioned 20 seconds, power of the Quark drops off to 134 HP and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. No worries however - the Gemera will have a total of three electric motors and a 600 HP three-cylinder engine, so it’ll still be plenty quick I’m sure. In fact, Koenigsegg says that the electric motors are meant to assist low speed range on the Gemera while the ICE powertrain supplies high speed power.

Some of the materials used in this e-motor are aerospace and motor sport grade steel and Koenigsegg’s own “Aircore Technology”, which is hollow carbon fiber for the rotor. The company also has an EV drive unit made of of two Quark motors called the “Terrier”. This unit is good for 670 HP and 811 lb.-ft. of torque while also having the ability to torque vector across the axle.

How Is This Important?

This is a development worth watching I’d say, since electric motors will become increasingly more powerful and needed in the auto industry as OEMs pivot to EVs. The performance that Koenigsegg gets out of their vehicles is interesting enough, but their electric motor technology could inspire other suppliers and OEMs alike to develop more lightweight, powerful electric motors for upcoming EV applications outside of only super cars. If this can be balanced with increased range in EVs and supported by expanded charging infrastructure as time moves forward, EVs could continue to gain market share over conventional ICE vehicles.

Copyright © 2022 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Motor Bella 2021

This past September, Motor Bella took place at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan. This was an outdoor event held in place of the Detroit Auto Show highlighting some of the latest new vehicles and trends in mobility and electrification. There were also ride alongs in Hellcats, the Ram TRX, Jeeps, Broncos, and a variety of EVs as well - I had a chance to ride in the new F-150 Lightning and the Mustang Mach-E GT. Both were shockingly fast (see what I did there)!

Below are 10 pictures that are some of my favorite I captured from the event. The pin in the last picture was custom-made by yours truly at the Ford booth in honor of my late grandfather. He took me and my cousins on a road trip up north to Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan many years back. You can see more from Motor Bella on my Adam's Autos YouTube page - see the link below. 

Here's to the return of more auto shows!

YouTube Link: Motor Bella 2021

Bollinger Motors was present at Motor Bella

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Dodge Charger Hellcat Widebody

Hummer EV SUV

Various generations of Corvettes cruising the track

Lincoln Aviator - Shinola Edition

Bentley Bentayga

The new Jeep Wagoneer

Ford F-150 Lightning

Ford Maverick - this red pin I made on-site is meant to commemorate my Paw Paw Powell, who drove us up north in Michigan on a family road trip in his red F-150.

Copyright © 2022 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.