Chevrolet Optra Magnum Diesel LT

Chevrolet Optra Magnum Diesel LT

 The Chevrolet Optra Magnum is a family sedan and an idyllic blend of style, power, performance, and comfort. The Magnum, in India, comes in three diesel variants - 2.0 MAX TCDi, 2.0 LS TCDi, and 2.0 LT TCDi; and three petrol variants: 1.6LS, 1.6 LT and 1.6 MAX. The diesel variants get a 2.0-litre SOHC

TCDi engine that generates 119 bhp and the Petrol variants extract power from a 1.6-litre DOHC engine that generates 103 bhp. Both the engines are linked to a standard 5-speed manual transmission. This car is

Chevrolet Optra Magnum Diesel LT

designed with a dual mass flywheel and a balanced shaft module that is a new technology that ensures a smooth ride and brings down vibration while idling. Plush and roomy interiors feature ample features that offer optimum comfort and convenience to the passengers. A distinctively designed honeycomb grille, smooth flowing lines, curved corners, and pulled-back headlamps render the Magnum with a dynamic look.
Chevrolet Optra and the SRV in the local market were made by the GM Daewoo alliance and are sold under different brands in different parts of the world. What is a Chevy for us is a Daewoo in Korea and a Holden in Australia but what blew me down was its a Suzuki for the US, “how?” you might ask, all I know is Suzuki owns a little under 10% share in GM Daewoo. Chevy Optra Magnum gets the first diesel engine built by GM Daewoo and this engine is based on the same block as the one in the Hyundai Elantra, Tucson & Sonata Embera.

Chevrolet Optra Magnum Diesel LT

In terms of basic design the Chevy magnum is not entirely new. This car owes its fresh face to the new grille & bumper. The new front bumper design makes the car’s face look sharper and a bigger Chevy bow-tie sitting on a bigger and bolder grille makes all the difference. Other than that, Magnum is a mix of SRV & Optra, it has the front end (lights, fenders, bonnet) of the SRV and rest is from the Optra saloon. The basic design & layout of the dashboard is the same as the SRV, but quality of materials is much better. Things like two-tone beige interiors and faux wood trim on the center console add some class.

Chevrolet Optra Magnum Diesel LT

 The best part is it’s new state of the art diesel engine. This TCDi (standing for Turbocharged Common-Rail Direct fuel injection) has one of the world leading torque figures in its class. This 1991cc inline-4 cylinder 16 valve (4valves per cylinder) SOHC engine has a fixed geometry turbocharger and features 1600 bar common-rail components which lower the emissions and improve the fuel efficiency. The max power is 119bhp @ 3000 rpm which is way powerful than its main competition Skoda Octavia TDi or even the Laura for that matter. If you thought that was impressive, peak torque is a banging 314 Nm @ 2125 rpm. The average fuel efficiency is said to be around 13 kmpl.

Chevrolet Optra Magnum Diesel LT

This engine is originally designed and developed by an Italian engine manufacturing company VM Motori and is licensed to Hyundai & GM Daewoo. VM Motori licensed this engine to Hyundai in 1999 and partnered with GM Daewoo in 2004, GM Daewoo agreement concerns basically the same engine family licensed to Hyundai but with appropriate upgrades and adaptations to suit the specific vehicle needs. The 2.0L engine for GM Daewoo incorporated the latest technology features developed over those last five years; since the Hyundai license was granted.
Magnum diesel is offered in 3 variansts Max, LS and LT being the top end. Major features on the top end LT are dual air bags, ABS and leather upholstery. The ex showroom prices for the different variants in Bangalore are as follows.