Marque’s next-gen model

The new Spark will be available on our shores from March this year. Kristian Aquilina, managing director of Holden NZ, says the arrival of the next-generation model is a “significant milestone”. He adds: “The Spark has been designed to be an extension of drivers’ lives and personalities. Aside from class-leading connectivity, it offers a wide range of genuine accessories to make this car the most individually-customisable Holden ever.” The Spark is powered by a 1.4-litre engine producing 73kW of power and 128Nm of torque, and the new model features a longer wheelbase, thinner pillars and reduced height compared to its predecessors. Inside, it boasts “a clean, contemporary design”. Along with a suite of safety features – including six airbags, electronic stability control and rear-view camera – it comes with Apple’s CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as standard. Ian Butler, Holden’s director of vehicle performance, says the marque’s engineering team were vital in ensuring the model’s “ability to perform in New Zealand conditions in both metropolitan and regional areas”. He adds: “We’re confident the all-new Spark will set a benchmark for the micro-car segment.”