General Motors South Africa has announced the introduction of the Chevrolet Spark 1,2 Campus as an entry-level option to the now locally produced Spark line-up. Priced at R99 900, the new model impressively features such safety items as ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and driver and passenger airbags with de-activation for the passenger system. Security features include a transponder immobiliser system and key activated central locking.
Other standard features include a manual air conditioner, power steering, height adjustment for the driver’s seat, tinted glass all round and rear window defogger. Surprisingly, colour coding of the exterior has remained.
The Spark Campus is powered by the same 60 kW/108 N.m 1,2-litre engine that does duty in Spark 1,2 L and LS models. It is mated with a five-speed manual transmission and gives the little car a top speed of 164 km/h, a 0-100 km/h sprinting ability of 13,3 seconds and a claimed combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 5,4 L/100 km.
“The Chevrolet Spark has an important role to play in GMSA’s local production programme that will raise the company’s locally manufactured volume to 50 000 units in line with the government’s Automotive Production Development Plan (APDP),” says Malcolm Gauld, GMSA’s Vice President Sales and Marketing. “It has an equally important role to play in providing an entry level step up into the wide and exciting range of Chevrolet vehicles available to South African buyers.
“The transfer of the manufacture of this latest generation Chevrolet small car to South Africa has allowed us to far better exploit the opportunities that this affords in tailoring vehicle specifications to specific local requirements and in containing costs in an important market segment. This was best evidenced by the downwards realignment of the pricing of the Spark for the locally manufactured 2012 model range with tangible cost savings passed on to buyers of the new Spark.”
The Chevrolet Spark 1,2 Campus is covered by a 5 year/120 000 km warranty with roadside assistance for the full warranty period. Anti-corrosion warranty protection is provided for a period of five years with no kilometre limit. Service intervals are 12 months or 15 000 km. An optional 3 yr/60 000 km Service Plan is offered.
