A New 'Soft-Roader' Called the Chevy Spark Activ is Coming to the US

Stephen Elmer
by Stephen Elmer

GM is preparing to expand the Chevrolet Spark family in the U.S.

The American automaker has prematurely given away its secret by certifying the new Spark Activ with the California Air Resources Board ( CARB), which means that it can legally be sold in the Golden State. CARB spilled the beans by publishing the certification PDF. While the Spark Activ will also have to be certified with the EPA to be sold in other states, getting clearance from CARB suggests that Chevy plans to sell this car in the U.S.

In India, the Spark is sold as the Beat, and Chevy is also gearing up to introduce the Beat Activ (seen above) in that country. Chevy describes the Beat Activ as a “soft-roader” with “expressive design language,” which basically means that it has plastic cladding on the fenders and some unique styling cues to set it apart from the standard car.

SEE ALSO: 2016 Chevrolet Spark Review

The Spark Activ will likely follow closely in the Beat Activ’s footsteps, offering buyers more rugged design features compared to the standard Spark. Inside, a set of graphics and body colored panels help to set the Activ apart.

In the CARB certification, the Spark Activ is listed with the same 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine as the regular Spark that makes 98 horsepower and 94 lb-ft of torque.

GM has also trademarked the name Spark Activ in the United States, further pointing towards this car being sold here.

We reached out to General Motors for comment on this new model, but have not heard back as of publication time.

Update: Afaf Farah from Chevrolet Communications responded to our query, saying “we do not have anything to announce about the Spark at this time.”

Discuss this story at our Chevy Spark Forum

Stephen Elmer
Stephen Elmer

Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>

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