Top 3 things you need to know about the Chevrolet Spark Lite

Despite wearing a Chevrolet badge, the Spark Lite models are rebadged Daewoo Matiz models after General Motors took over the South Korean company in 2002. In 2005 the Spark was released locally after the prefacelift models were sold as Daewoo’s. The 2005 models were released with extensive cosmetic, interior and mechanical updates and resemble the original Spark design that most will recognise.

The third generation of the Spark was then revealed in 2009, leading to the local General Motors team to introduce the Spark Lite, a product based on the previous generation Spark in the same vein as the likes of the Volkswagen Polo Vivo and Ford Figo as rebadged, more spartan versions of an outgoing product. Here are 3 things that you need to know about this discontinued budget contender.

1.Two models, two engines

The Spark Lite range consisted of two variants at launch, the L and LS with each featuring different specification as standard and indeed, different S-TEC engines. The base model L specification features a three-cylinder 796cc 38kW/69Nm petrol engine while the LS gets a four-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine that produces 49kW/87Nm.

2.They are cheap as chips

The low running costs of the Spark Lite are compounded by a low pre-owned price, with nearly 25 examples listed on AutoTrader ranging in price from R37 900 for a base model high-mileage hero from 2010 to R90 000 for a relatively low mileage LS model from 2014.

3.Safety concerns

Reader beware, point two of this story does mention how cheap these small cars can be purchased for now, however, its safety credentials must be considered. The budget car segment has had its fair share of controversies when it comes to safety over the past decade. The Spark Lite is very, well, light on safety features, with the only truly recognisable safety item being a front passenger airbag in the LS models with the base l model featuring little to no discernible safety items.