Sensing the needs of Indian market, GM launched the all new Optra Magnum here in India. This car has a diesel engine, this is the first time GM has launched a diesel car in India after the launch of Aveo, U-VA and Spark in recent past; all in petrol versions. GM is really getting serious now and is working hard to increase its market share here in India. Optra Diesel's competitors are the Hyundai Elantra and the Skoda Octavia and they better watch out now.
The new Chevrolet Optra Magnum has a 2.0 Litre TCDi engine, which generates a power of 120.5 PS @ 3000 rpm and a torque of 314 Nm @ 2125 rpm. To be more precise, engine has a displacement of 1991 cc, 4 cylinders, 16V SOHC and a common rail direct injection system. This engine works on with a 5 speed manual transmission.
It will be available in 3 variants called the MAX, LS and LT and the price of this car starts from Rs. 8.75 lakhs.
The looks of the car are refreshed; it has new front headlamps, front grill, bumpers, fenders and even the interiors are restyled. Leather upholstery, leather wrapped steering wheel, a 2 DIN MP3 Cassette player comes with the top end variant LT along with other safety features like Dual airbags, ABS and remote keyless entry with burglar alarm. All 4 wheels come with disc brakes. It has got walnut finish interiors with chrome side mouldings and chromed grip type door handle on the outside. The electrically adjustable outside rear view mirrors now has turn indicators on them.
Cost of ownership as compared to Octavia and Elantra? Its spare parts are cheaper than the two; this is one thing on which GM is concentrating hard to raise the sales. Moreover, pouring over 120bhp makes it the most powerful Diesel sedan in its segment.
This all happened while we were talking about the future launches of the Diesel cars like Fusion, Getz and the new Elantra, and the latter one shouldn�??t take much time now to be launched here. Panic must have started in Hyundai�??s camp now while the Skoda cannot do much about it except for slashing the price of the Octavia and that is highly unlikely though it would be wise. But for the consumers, here is one more option for you in Diesel, even the C-segment Diesel car seekers can now look forward to extend their budget for getting this new Diesel Chevy.
