Review: Holden MJ Barina Spark (2010-15)

Review: Holden MJ.I Barina Spark (2010-12)

Overview

Released in October 2010, the Holden MJ Series I (MJ.I) Barina Spark was a light, five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Changwon, South Korea, the front-wheel drive Barina Spark was powered by a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The MJ.I Barina Spark range consisted of CD and CDX variants.

Compared to the TM Barina hatchback which it was sold alongside, the MJ Barina Spark was 444 mm shorter (at 3595 mm), 138 mm narrower (1597 mm), 5 mm taller (1522 mm) and had a 150 mm shorter wheelbase (2375 mm). Furthermore, the Barina Spark was fitted with MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Barina Spark included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

The Barina Spark was fitted with 256 mm front brake discs and 200 mm rear drum brakes.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Barina Spark – sold in Europe as the Chevrolet Spark – that was fitted with a 1.0-litre engine received a four star safety rating which included an 81 per adult occupant protection rating and a 78 per cent child occupant protection rating. Under ANCAP’s methodology, this resulted in an overall score of 31.02 out of 37. In the offset crash test, protection from serious chest and leg injury was marginal for the driver and front passenger.

Features

Standard features for the Barina Spark CD included 14-inch alloy wheels, a four speaker sound system with MP3-compatible CD player and auxiliary inputs (MP3/USB), air conditioning, front fog lights, remote central locking, a 60/40 split and folding rear seat, steering wheel audio controls, power front windows and mirrors, heated mirrors, four-way adjustable front seats, a height adjustable steering wheel, trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Barina Spark CDX was further equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, power rear windows, ‘Sportec’ (perforated vinyl) seat trim, a three-spoke steering wheel and a bigger rear spoiler.

Brochure

• Brochure: Holden MJ.I Barina Spark (October 2010)

Related links

• Product Information: Holden MJ.II Barina Spark (October 2010)
• Holden Media: All-new Holden Barina Spark to fire up light car market (October 2010)
• Holden Media: Barina Spark – Holden’s new fuel efficient baby (October 2010)

Review: Holden MJ.II Barina Spark (2013-15)

Overview

Released in January 2013, the MJ Series II (MJ.II) Barina Spark introduced a revised range as CDX variants were discontinued and four-speed automatic transmissions were made available. For models with automatic transmissions,

• the 1.2-litre engine had dual continuous variable cam phasing and neutral idle control; and,
• electric power-assisted steering was fitted as standard (manual models continued to have hydraulic power-assisted steering).

Visually, the MJ.II Barina Spark could be identified by the twin horizontal chrome strips within its grille and updated headlights, tail-lights, side skirts and alloy wheels. Inside, the instrument cluster, materials and trim were also revised.

Features

Relative to its MJ.I predecessor, standard features for the MJ.II Barina Spark were largely unchanged. Models with automatic transmissions, however, were further equipped with Bluetooth connectivity (with steering wheel mounted phone controls) and a flip-key.

Brochure

• Brochure: Holden MJ.II Barina Spark (August 2013)

Related links

• Holden Media: Holden’s 2013 Barina Spark (November 2012)
• Holden.com.au: Holden Barina Spark
• Wikipedia.org: Holden MJ Barina Spark