I hadn't heard that they had changed the powerband on the newer Spark EV's, did they just flatten it a bit by changing the software or has there been a physical change in the drive train? Motor Trend thought the new ones were unchanged at around 7.5 seconds 0-60, but who knows what is going on.
I went with...a 2015
After multiple test drives and lots of reading here and the other Spark EV forum, I went with a CPO 2015 with DCFC. A few things of note:
- someone said a 14 is like a squirrel on meth, and he's right. The 15 obviously has less torque but smoother delivery, more poised powering out of corners. I suspect the 14 can have better 0-60 time with proper tires.
- the torque steer is less pronounced on the 15 vs 14.
- steering wheel has zero feedback and feels disconnected, but keep in mind I used to DD a Porsche Cayman S...my Volt is no better.
- I will be slapping on Michelin Premier AS once the car is delivered. It's on my Volt and I love it: very little drop in efficiency and WAY better handling.
- Also looking at coilovers to see if any will fit.
A gas station down the street from where I work will supposedly have DCFC installed this week. Can't wait to check it out!
This car will be my DD until the Tesla 3 is available. I don't think Chevy will ever sell a RWD or AWD EV, and if indeed the 3 will be priced within a few K of the Bolt then the Bolt is doomed to be a one or two year car. Anyone who has driven a Model S knows the power of The Elon.
- someone said a 14 is like a squirrel on meth, and he's right. The 15 obviously has less torque but smoother delivery, more poised powering out of corners. I suspect the 14 can have better 0-60 time with proper tires.
- the torque steer is less pronounced on the 15 vs 14.
- steering wheel has zero feedback and feels disconnected, but keep in mind I used to DD a Porsche Cayman S...my Volt is no better.
- I will be slapping on Michelin Premier AS once the car is delivered. It's on my Volt and I love it: very little drop in efficiency and WAY better handling.
- Also looking at coilovers to see if any will fit.
A gas station down the street from where I work will supposedly have DCFC installed this week. Can't wait to check it out!
This car will be my DD until the Tesla 3 is available. I don't think Chevy will ever sell a RWD or AWD EV, and if indeed the 3 will be priced within a few K of the Bolt then the Bolt is doomed to be a one or two year car. Anyone who has driven a Model S knows the power of The Elon.
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Tires can make a big difference. I'm kinda looking forward to replacing the ones on the Volt with either the Premier AS or perhaps the Pirelli Cinturato P7s.
On GM making a RWD or AWD EV, I think the CT6 will be AWD. Also, the HiPer front suspension eliminates most of the objections to FWD.
On GM making a RWD or AWD EV, I think the CT6 will be AWD. Also, the HiPer front suspension eliminates most of the objections to FWD.
Not sure about the Pirellis, but I got the Premier AS from Costco for my Volt and it transformed the car (for the better), so the first thing I'm doing with the Spark EV is the tires.Tires can make a big difference. I'm kinda looking forward to replacing the ones on the Volt with either the Premier AS or perhaps the Pirelli Cinturato P7s.
On GM making a RWD or AWD EV, I think the CT6 will be AWD. Also, the HiPer front suspension eliminates most of the objections to FWD.
First, congrats on getting your mini Tesla, a Spark EV with DCFC!!This car will be my DD until the Tesla 3 is available.... ... if indeed the 3 will be priced within a few K of the Bolt then the Bolt is doomed ..
...knows the power of The Elon.
I hope the DCFC station near you makes financial sense.
The ones I use are free and I only use them as needed on the weekends.
Second, GM knows EV's.
They just can't advertise them if their lives depended on it. Most people still don't have a clue what the Volt is.
And only the EV enthusiasts have heard of the Spark EV.
Meanwhile Tesla has not spent a dime on advertising, yet everyone knows about Tesla's. How do you buy that?
Maybe there is no cult status with a GM EV,,, but as far as I know EV power is rated in kW's.
What if the Bolt is faster, 'a few K less' and has similar range?
I buy with a spec sheet, not a cult status. (Have you heard the dirty little secret about 'Drive Unit Replacements' in the Model S?)
I drove both for an extended time frame in all types of driving conditions.. the 2015 is a much better handling and less squirrely car by far... I will be looking for one soon...
That's interesting. Was there a stated hardware change by GM? Suspension geometry, shocks, springs, etc..?... the 2015 is a much better handling and less squirrely car by far...
Are you sure it wasn't just one had the proper tire inflation?
Also, totally brand new tires take maybe 50 miles to wear off the mold release and get down to 'real rubber'.
Tire manufacturers talk about a 'Break In Period'. And fuel economy is never normal on brand new tires.
I read a review that said the 2015 had reduced the size of the battery pack (rather than increasing the range) when changing the battery supplier and that the torque was lowered so that the lower weight (due to less batteries) wouldn't result in insane acceleration.I hadn't heard that they had changed the powerband on the newer Spark EV's, did they just flatten it a bit by changing the software or has there been a physical change in the drive train? Motor Trend thought the new ones were unchanged at around 7.5 seconds 0-60, but who knows what is going on.
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