There is most definitely a push towards more small inner city cars these days.. all manufacturers from VW to Nissan have them.
Holden's smallest offering is the tiny Barina Spark, one rung below the regular Barina.
On test is the automatic version.
While I can forgive acres of hard plastic on all surfaces likely to be touched by the occupants, in such a cheap car, performance and NVH issues abound.
The 1.2 litre four cylinder engine has just 113 nm of torque and is especially raucious, when pressed to perform, hitting the redline on the occasions when going faster was required...and the gearbox seemed reluctant to change down when more urge was needed.
Around town the standard Kumho tyres are relatively inaudible, but on the freeway the din from them and associated wind noise from the rear quarter would make any long distance driving a daunting prospect.
Holden's smallest offering is the tiny Barina Spark, one rung below the regular Barina.
On test is the automatic version.
While I can forgive acres of hard plastic on all surfaces likely to be touched by the occupants, in such a cheap car, performance and NVH issues abound.
The 1.2 litre four cylinder engine has just 113 nm of torque and is especially raucious, when pressed to perform, hitting the redline on the occasions when going faster was required...and the gearbox seemed reluctant to change down when more urge was needed.
Around town the standard Kumho tyres are relatively inaudible, but on the freeway the din from them and associated wind noise from the rear quarter would make any long distance driving a daunting prospect.
A bit more sound deadening material would be welcome Holden.
Holden first sold the Spark two years ago,as a manual.. strange because their target matrket was young women, many of whom prefer an auto gearbox.
That problem is now solved, but the lack of urge in many driving situations will require a bit of planning in advance, in order to keep up with the traffic or avoid some power related mishaps.
Most who buy one of these cars will be uncritical about its modest performance and equipment levels however.
Styling is always subjective, but in my view the bluff, blunt front of the Spark, (which I am sure is meant to look funky and modern,) is pretty ugly.
The seats are quite comfy but too short in the squab.. there's very little thigh support.
Room inside is relatively generous. there's more than enough head and leg room in front for those over 183cm tall.
In the rear space is limited expecially when taller front occupants have the seat on the rearmost setting. Power windows are provided for front doors but rear seat passengers will have to wind their own. There' no auto up down on the front door glass. The driver gets a sunvisor mirror , the passenger does not.
Boot space is tiny but adequate for shopping trips and short journeys, and the rear seats fold for a bigger load area.
Holden first sold the Spark two years ago,as a manual.. strange because their target matrket was young women, many of whom prefer an auto gearbox.
That problem is now solved, but the lack of urge in many driving situations will require a bit of planning in advance, in order to keep up with the traffic or avoid some power related mishaps.
Most who buy one of these cars will be uncritical about its modest performance and equipment levels however.
Styling is always subjective, but in my view the bluff, blunt front of the Spark, (which I am sure is meant to look funky and modern,) is pretty ugly.
The seats are quite comfy but too short in the squab.. there's very little thigh support.
Room inside is relatively generous. there's more than enough head and leg room in front for those over 183cm tall.
In the rear space is limited expecially when taller front occupants have the seat on the rearmost setting. Power windows are provided for front doors but rear seat passengers will have to wind their own. There' no auto up down on the front door glass. The driver gets a sunvisor mirror , the passenger does not.
Boot space is tiny but adequate for shopping trips and short journeys, and the rear seats fold for a bigger load area.
Compared with the similarly priced VW UP (with three cylinders and much more pep than the Spark from its one litre motor) and others in the class, the Spark is disappointing, but as mentioned previously, it's a good safe car for first time drivers, who will no doubt be perfectly happy to be seen in one.
Peter Sellen
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