2014 Chevrolet Spark EV
It was just last year that Chevrolet introduced their mini car, the spark, to a U.S. market desperately seeking ways to save on gas. And while sales have taken off, it didn’t exactly fan the flames of desire for anyone hoping “performance” and “fun” were part of the equation. Well now there’s an all new, all electric spark, that’s a little more green, and a lot more mean!
…or as “mean” as a mini car can be. But with the Spark stepping into the EV ring, it’ll take on heavy weights like the Nissan Leaf, newcomers like the Fiat 500e, and even plug-ins like Chevy’s own Volt. So it needs as much attitude as it can muster; as efficiency alone just won’t cut it anymore.
Luckily, the powertrain does have attitude; and like Napoleon, the Spark EV is a little car with a lot to prove. Its 21 kilowatt hour Lithium Ion battery pack, mounted low, between the rear wheels, sends juice up front, where an electric motor quietly churns up 105 kilowatts, that’s 140 horsepower and a neck-snapping 400 lb-ft of torque.
Though we didn’t get to computer clock it, GM says 0-60 time is under 8 seconds and our intro drive certainly felt like it. We even managed to chirp the front tires, as all that torque-y goodness is instantly available from stand still right up to a top speed of 90 MPH. A dedicated Sport mode increases throttle response even more.
Efficiency-wise, the Spark EV is on par with other EV rivals, and its estimated 82 mile cruising range in mixed driving felt honest, and attainable. So as long as you plan ahead, you can leave your range anxiety behind.
Adding close to 600 pounds over its gas powered counterpart, the all-electric Spark actually achieves a closer 50/50 front and rear weight distribution. Yet with near double the horsepower and five times the torque output, additional reinforcements were needed throughout the chassis. Specially tuned coil springs for the MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension were added, as well, and disc brakes to all four corners.
We admit “Fun to Drive” is a clichéd way to describe any driving experience, but it is the truth for the Spark EV. More so than any other electric driver, the Spark has an effortless power delivery, tight, composed ride, and a sporty responsiveness; all of which will help you silently but surely navigate the urban sprawl.
For fans of the original Spark, very little changes outside; and everything that has, was done so in the name of efficiency. Front end design remains the same, with the upper grills now closed off, and active grill shutters below. Aero accents on the side mirrors, fenders, underbody, and on top direct and deflect airflow.
The interior continues to shine, with its refreshing simplicity now enhanced by a 7-inch LCD digital gauge cluster. Lifted from the Volt, its range-indicating Confidence Gauge adjusts in real time to your driving style and estimates a maximum and minimum range. There are also readouts for power consumption and regeneration, and an integrated trip computer.
Chevy’s MyLink interface comes standard, on a second 7 inch LCD display in the center stack. In addition to fielding infotainment duties, it provides more detailed readouts of battery charge and vehicle power use. Seats on 1LT trim are cloth, with leatherette for the top 2LT. All the goodies, like satellite radio, Bluetooth, and heated seats come standard. Cargo room is down slightly, to 23.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
Government Fuel Economy ratings for the Spark EV are, of course, not really needed, as there’s no traditional fuel consumed or emissions released. But the equivalent combined rating is a lofty 119 MPGe.
Charging is standard fare, with a 120 volt trickle charger included, 240 volt capability, and the availability of the segment’s first SAE approved DC combo Fast Charger, capable of an 80 percent charge in 20 minutes. We estimate a cost of around $2.50 per home recharge.
Currently only available in California and Oregon, the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV in base 1LT trim begins at $27,495. But, government incentives drop that below the 20 grand mark. More importantly, monthly leases are available for as little as $199.
Going EV seems a natural fit for the Chevrolet Spark. And its all-electric powertrain is a monster within the small car segment. So even if its sales don’t start a landslide, it has already accomplished something far greater: making itself, and the EV segment as a whole, impossible to ignore. It’s the most impressive mini-EV you’ve never heard coming!
Specifications
- Horsepower: 140
- Torque: 400 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph: Under 8 seconds
- EPA: Combined rating 119 MPGe
2024 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35
Goldilocks Approved: It Does Everything Just Right
These days, you don’t have to spend a ridiculous amount of money to get some real-deal AMG performance from Mercedes-Benz, as they’ve spread their high-performance love throughout their lineup. So, let’s go for some high-speed bargain hunting in the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35.
You may think of big cars and bigger horsepower when you hear AMG, but this updated 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4-door Coupe is certainly not a big car, yet there’s no doubt it packs a serious performance punch. The CLA is not the least expensive Mercedes you can currently buy in the U.S., but it is their lowest priced car, and it feels more right-size than small-size behind the wheel.
It’s a fun, enjoyable ride that lets you know what you’re in for right away with a nice raspy exhaust note at start up. Standard engine in the base CLA 250 is of course a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo, but it is ‘Benz’s latest with mild-hybrid assistance and a rating of 221-horsepower.
This CLA 35 is one of two AMG versions which cranks the turbo up to boost output to 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque; the CLA 45 S, goes even further with a full rebuild to crank it up to 416 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque. The CLA is front-wheel-drive based but is sending power to all four wheels by the time it leaves the AMG shop with performance-tuned AMG 4MATIC.
AMG has done serious suspension tuning as well, and the great feedback that it provides through the AMG Performance steering wheel is a big part of this car’s fun-factor. But our test car came equipped with winter tires, which did hold us back a little bit through the cones at our Mason Dixon test track. Still, it felt both agile and fun and body roll was minimal. Not until we pushed hard could we really feel the lack of dry pavement grip from those tires. On the other hand, a few days after track day, we actually did have some winter weather to drive through and then we were very appreciative of the grip those winter tires provided.
With some assistance from AMG’s sweet launch control, which not only allowed us to launch at 3500 RPM with no wheel slip at all, but made sure the turbos were feeding full power, as we felt no turbo lag whatsoever on our quick 4.5-second trip to 60. AMG’s Speedshift eight-speed DCT lived up to its name, delivering quick and hard hits throughout the 13.1-second, 104 mph quarter-mile.
It’s a fun, enjoyable ride that lets you know what you’re in for right away with a nice raspy exhaust note at start up.
When it came time to remove speed in a hurry in our panic runs from 60 mph, those winter tires again played a factor, as the brakes felt very strong and there was very little nosedive but stops took a longer than expected 125 feet.
Now this 2nd generation CLA arrived for 2020, and for ’24 gets a subtle restyling at both ends. At the front, the grille has been redesigned, AMGs getting their own unique version with big vertical slats, prominent Mercedes star and subtle AMG badge. LED headlights are new, now labeled as High-Performance headlights, joined by upgraded rear taillights and a very aggressive looking AMG diffuser with big exhaust outlets. The back-up camera is smoothly hidden in a flip-out Mercedes badge. Multiple new wheel designs are available with sizes up to 19-inches.
Inside the CLA’s cabin, additional standard content includes a leather steering wheel and 10-inch media display. Both of which were already part of the AMG transformation, though AMG Line buyers can now add some heat elements to their sport steering wheel.
As we’ve seen with most Mercedes updates, both the virtual gauge cluster and the central touchscreen reside in a single housing mounted on top of the dash, upgraded with the latest MBUX software.
Pricing for the CLA 35 starts at $56,100, with the more powerful 45 S coming in at $66,550.
Bottom line, the folks in Stuttgart have given us a 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 that’s clearly better without messing it up. That’s certainly good news to us, as these days we seem to be getting less and paying more for just about everything. So, while you might not think the new CLA 35 sounds like a bargain, there is no better gateway into the amazing world of AMG performance.
Specifications
- Engine: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo
- Horsepower: 416
- 0-60 mph: 4.5 seconds
- 60-0 Braking: 125 feet (avg)
- MW Fuel Economy: 28.2 MPG (Premium)
- Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
- Torque: 369 lb-ft.
- 1/4 Mile: 13.1 seconds at 104 mph
- EPA: 22 City / 29 Highway / 25 Combined