Holden Barina Spark 2016 News

If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. The adage explains why car makers like to launch their latest and greatest at the annual New York motor show. Many of the cars unveiled there won't make it here in the near future, if at all. CarsGuide casts an eye over the models that will.The Chevy Spark arrives wearing a Holden badge in early 2016.The company has addressed criticisms of the previous model by upgrading the fabrics, improving the fit and finish and stiffening the chassis to improve roadholding.The new Spark's looks have been streamlined with a longer wheelbase and lower body and there's a new more powerful 1.4-litre engine.Holden vehicle performance director Ian Butler says local engineers will give the car a local suspension and steering tune. "We made sure the car remains fun and agile but will now deliver even more sophistication," Butler says.The Civic coupe concept previews the 10th generation small car that will reach showrooms late this year.Designed by Honda's US studio along with the sedan — Europe will shape the hatchback — the Civic uses shorter overhangs and sharper lines to differentiate itself from the unloved previous model.The new model will have a 1.5-litre turbo engine matched to a six-speed auto or continuously variable transmission.Honda Australia head Steve Collins says the Civic is a crucial model. "Because it is a global car, ours will share some of the styling characteristics with the car just launched in New York and it will also have design features specific to our region."More interior space and more upmarket interiors mark the new Optima.A big hit in the US — Kia sold 160,000 last year — the Optima hasn't enjoyed such success locally.Kia Australia spokesman Kevin Hepworth says the new car is a more refined package, headlined by a 2.0-litre turbo engine that pushes the car to 100km/h in just on seven seconds. "(It has) improved ride, more rear space and an engine that will be a class benchmark for power and economy," Hepworth says.Top-spec US models use a 360 degree camera, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and blind-spot alert. The car is due in Australia late this year.The 570S is aimed squarely at the Porsche 911 Turbo and Audi R8 V10. Essentially a detuned version of the 650S supercar, the 570S nevertheless shares no panels with its big brother.The 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 is retained, although outputs have been reduced to 420kW/600Nm. That's good for a 100km/h sprint time of 3.2 seconds.Its Australian launch is early 2016 — expect a price in the high $300,000s.The facelifted Outlander's most obvious change is the "dynamic shield" front end, to be worn by future Mitsubishis.Mitsubishi Motors Australia marketing head Tony Principe says the update includes revisions to the Outlander's suspension, steering and drivetrain."Outlander will continue to offer great SUV functionality, terrific fuel economy and low running costs," he says, "but it will now be significantly quieter, more responsive and even more enjoyable to drive, making it a real stand out in the medium SUV class."The Outlander is launched locally next week.The massive Lexus spindle grille and flared fenders make the new RX hard to miss. The SUV also gets a 50mm increase in wheelbase to differentiate it from its NX stablemate, but the extra length doesn't include an anticipated third row of seats.The vehicle will be sold with both a 3.5-litre V6 and a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, each good for 221kW.The RX will have head-up display, 12.3-inch infotainment screen, heated rear seats, and optional 11.6-inch rear entertainment screens. Optional safety gear includes lane departure and blind spot warning, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.Built on the same aluminium-intensive architecture that underpins the XE and F-Type models, the XF is up to 190kg lighter than the current model.Interior upgrades are just as impressive, from head-up display to 10.2-inch infotainment setup using a quad-core Intel processor and ethernet connectivity for super-quick response. Touch and voice control abet smartphone-style apps for everything from remotely warming the car to calculating owners' arrival time at a destination.A new 2.0-litre turbo diesel will be the entry point while its supercharged petrol V6 puts out 280kW. Prices are expected to start below $80,000 when the XF arrives here early next year.The Boxster Spyder is all about driving purity, so owners will have to operate the fabric roof by hand. Based on the design and mechanicals of the Cayman GT4, this is the most powerful Boxster yet — its 276kW 3.8-litre boxer six-cylinder is lifted from the 911 Carrera and matched to a six-speed manual transmission. Porsche quotes 4.5 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint and fuel use of 9.9L/100km.The Spyder will arrive here in the third quarter, priced from $169,000.

An all-electric Holden Spark - nee Barina Spark - has made its US debut as a production-ready car with plans for sale in North America and across the pond in emission-conscious Europe. But Australia may not miss out. The Spark EV could become Holden's second electric car - after the Volt that debuts here next year - within three years. Holden spokesperson Kate Lonsdale says "we haven't dismissed the Spark EV". "We'll see how it performs in other markets before making a decision. Our focus is on Volt at the moment. We will continue to watch it (Spark EV) before making a decision." In a statement, Chevrolet says the Spark EV "will be sold in limited quantities in select US and global markets starting in 2013". Chevrolet's global vehicle chief engineer for electric vehicles, Jim Federico, says the car "offers customers living in urban areas who have predictable driving patterns or short commutes an all-electric option" "It complements Chevrolet's growing range of electrified vehicles, including the Volt extended-range EV and the 2013 Malibu Eco with eAssist technology." The Spark EV will use feedback from trial electric vehicles such as the Sail EV in China, the Beat EV in India and Cruze EV in Korea. "Our global demo fleets continue to provide insight into the needs of electric vehicle customers living in urban environments," says Federico. "The Spark EV is another step in Chevrolet's plan to provide customers with a variety of electrification solutions to address the lifestyle and transportation needs of people around the world." The Spark EV will use a nanophosphate lithium-ion battery pack powering an electric motor with a peak power output of  85kW. However, for durability the motor is rated at a sustainable 75kW. Batteries are from A123 Systems in the US that also supplies similar units for the Fisker Karma electric saloon. The Spark EV is expected to debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 18.

Sonic is the new name chosen for the Holden Barina in the USA and the four-door sedan is unveiled at the Detroit motor show to highlight a production switch to an American factory. It's a sign that small cars will be big business in the USA inside five years, as well as proof that General Motors is going global at the bottom end of the business. Sonic will not be used as a name in Australia with the Barina badge to continue on both the new sedan and hatch, a pairing that will sit above the existing Barina Spark. The Barina hatch was first displayed at the Paris motor show last year and the sedan - as the Sonic - starred in Detroit with looks that point to a more upmarket approach to GM's small cars. "Sonic is a statement of what can be expected of this foundational brand in years to come," says Mark Reuss, the head of Chevrolet and former Holden boss who unveils the car as part of Chevy's 100th birthday celebrations. That approach will be reflected in the price, as the new Barina pair will have a $15,000-ish starting sticker, well up from the basic Barina Spark at $12,490. "This is Barina and the smaller version is Barina Spark," says Jonathan Rose, spokesman for GM Holden. "We're getting the sedan and hatch. The hatch will be later this year, around October, and the sedan about this time next year. The cars are coming from Korea. The US will build theirs locally." There is some impressive stuff in the Spark - yet to be confirmed for Barina - including 10 airbags and a sports suspension system tuned by the team behind Chevrolet's blaster car, the Corvette. Both cars will come with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and a choice of manual and automatic gearboxes, unlike the Spark that is currently only sold as a manual. GM claims more rear-seat space than the Ford Fiesta and best-in-class boot space for the Barina sedan, as well as youth-essential features such as Bluetooth USB connectivity. The spirit of the SS Commodore could be tapped for a high-performance Barina. Chevrolet has a Sonic with a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine that makes 102 kiloWatts and a dress-up pack that is being considered for Australia. It is called the Z Spec is only billed as a concept car in Detroit but is clearly intended to put some punch into the Sonic is a country where small cars are still not particularly popular. GM Holden admits it can see potential in a Z Spec version of the Barina but is not making any commitment. "The Z Spec is a concept. No decision has been made on whether it will be introduced in Australia. We'll be sure to assess it," says Jonathan Rose.