New York show: Next Holden Barina Spark teased

GENERAL Motors has offered a glimpse of its next-generation Chevrolet Spark ahead of its official simultaneous debut at the coinciding New York and Seoul motor shows early next month.

The dimly-lit image not only previews the new North American model, but also hints at the look of its Holden Barina Spark twin, which is due to arrive in Australian showrooms in the first quarter of 2016.

Full details of the new baby hatch will have to wait until its official unveiling, but the picture reveals a sportier or more high-end variant of the Spark with fog-lights, low front bumper and skirt incorporating large air intakes.

The shot also shows a restyled headlight design and a repeat of the Barina's hidden handle-less rear doors giving a look of a more sporty three-door car.

Earlier this year, GoAuto spied a heavily disguised version of the European equivalent, known on the continent and United Kingdom as the Opel Karl and Vauxhall Viva respectively.

That car was revealed in European trim at the Geneva motor show last week, but the Holden Barina Spark styling is expected to align more closely with the American-spec car, as is the case in its current form.

While Holden is remaining tight-lipped about any local Barina Spark development, senior product communications manager Kate Lonsdale told GoAuto the little Holden would undergo some fettling on Australian soil.

“We are involved in a lot of the global programs and we have made a commitment that the cars will be tailored to Australian conditions by our guys at the proving ground,” she said.

“I can't reveal the extent of our involvement but I’m sure there will be some.”

GM describes the look of the new Spark as “more aerodynamic and a progressive take on Chevrolet's signature design cues,” but until its global reveal next month details and specification will remain largely in the dark.

In the United States, the little Chevy is performing well with sales up 32 per cent in the first two months of this year, while in Australia, registrations of the Barina Spark remain steady with 220 finding homes to the end of February.

This represents a 10.6 per cent increase over the first two months of 2014 in a segment that is down 45 per cent year on year.