2010 Chevrolet Spark - New Official Photos and Details Released

Next month's Geneva Show will see the world debut of the 2010 Chevrolet Spark which is set to go on sale in Europe towards the end of the year with the U.S.A and other core international markets following suite in 2011. Due to replace the Matiz in the 'Old Continent', the Spark was inspired by the Chevy Beat 3d concept, the most popular of a trio of mini-car concepts that were revealed back in 2007.

Even though the production Spark comes with a five-door body style, it retains all of the concept's styling cues adding a few more interesting details such as the 'hidden' rear door handles. With an overall length of 3,640 mm and a 2,375 mm wheelbase, the Spark is slightly larger than Fiat's A-Segment Panda that measures 3,538 mm in length.

The design of Spark's interior continues the funky exterior theme with a swoopy dashboard and a motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster that is mounted on the on the steering column.

In Europe, power will come from a choice of 1.0 and 1.2-litre 16-valve four-cylinder gasoline engines with GM promising that they will deliver "excellent fuel efficiency and low emissions."

Depending on global markets, the Spark's safety equipment will include driver and passenger front air bags, front side airbags, roof rail head curtain airbags, antilock brakes and electronic stability control. Prices and exact equipment specifications are be announced closer to the car's on sale date.