Finally the very much awaited Spark has landed in India, now its almost two months. I’ve been sriously waiting for its launch to decide on my brand new Car. Its launch has given a chill and I was fully involved in its study, test drives and a real R & D!
I am not writing more on the same, but would like to tell my sincere and serious comments to every one who really are in the look out for a segment - B car. My basic target was in the following areas: Drive Quality, Safety, Comfort, Effective Handling, Average and above Mileage and over all Top Notch perfornace.
The very first thing that I looked in Spark was the above and there were many features which were appealing:
- Sporty Interiors:
I am just writing the good features compared to any car in the same segment, with minute features being taken cared:
> Power Window buttons are within easy reach
> Area for Water Bottle holder within Doors
> Sunglass Holder
> Gas Filled Shocks
> 40:60 ratio foldable Rear seats
> Good Electronic system with warning lamps in a Kewl banana shaped pod, behind the steering wheel. This has warning for almost all the features in a good car [Door Ajar, Seatbelt, fuel, battery, Engine etc ]
> Speedo is the most noticeable factor, to which the sales person was not able to reply to my questions on its benefits! [basically it benefits by just providing space behind the steering, as its moved to center]
- Exteriors:
> Rear Spoilers, whish assists in top speeds
> Tube less tires, which show remarkable entry as its the first in market for an erty level car
> Well shared rear with well placed and kewl looking Lights
> Foog lamps
These all are the basic notable features in Spark, and I had went for the best and Top end Model - LT, for my analysis.
Now coming to a real Drivers, a real core Car enthusists Mind:
Driving comfort is really Top Notch in spark - you will really feel the advantages of a fully Gas filled Shock Abs! For rear passenger too [ I sat in rear, asked the guy to take the car and swing it as much as he can!] its well comfortable and give a real good suspension
Good engine functionality - its just below 1000 CC and delivers a fair amount of torque and power, compared to its competitors.
A driver really need to have his driving results presented to him self! I serisously felt that the Speedo meter should be placed in front of the driver than at the centre, which is rather like a presenting to all.
I always tested with A/C on. Then for a serious overtaking this was causing a few issues. If we down the gear from top, it gets in good power, other wise its a bit tough to get on to higher speed - This a serious matter to take care for any core driving mind!
Mileage was said to be good by the sales guy - 13.5 in city and 15.5 in Highways [ These are with A/C; we can add+1 without A/c]
Here are the Positive points that are present in Spark:
Good driving comfort
Excellent suspension
Good Mileage [got feedack from Showroom, not from users]
Good Interiors and accessories
Tubeless Tyres [Eventhough it lasts less than normal tyres, this is an entry level add-on]
Below are a few area where we can say that Spark can improve:
Place ment of the speedometer[ Only if we are core driver minded and enjoy our own drive efforts, we love it to be at our front, than to be placed at a different area, mosltly meant for all]
Gears - the shifts and throws are a bit long. Here, Santro’s shift is better and especially for the reverse gear.
Engine responses - The response of the engine will be a bit slow, when we put on the A/C. Considering the small size of spark and the 1000 cc engine, we expect this to be a bit more improved
4.The cost is a bit high considering the features availble and the performance of the engine
Overall, this is a very good car if you go for the new looks and mileage. Considering engine responsiveness and performance Spark can improve a lot more.