GM India Launches Powerful Optra Diesel Luxury Sedan, Long-Awaited Chevrolet Spark Mini-Car

Hyderabad - General Motors India today launched the Chevrolet Optra TCDi diesel sedan and the long-awaited Chevrolet Spark mini-car at a ceremony held in the city today.

"Last year, we began construction of a new manufacturing facility and introduced three new Chevrolet products - the Aveo, SRV and Aveo U-VA," said GM India President and Managing Director Mr. Rajeev Chaba. "This year, we are keeping up the momentum with the launch of significant new entries in India's high-potential diesel segment and the market's predominant mini-car segment. The Optra diesel and Chevrolet Spark extend the value promise of Chevrolet by providing exceptional performance at an exceptional value. Both products raise the bar for their respective segments", Mr. Chaba added.

Chevrolet Optra Diesel

The new Optra Diesel has a 2.0-litre TCDi (Turbocharged Common Rail Direct Injection) engine that utilizes second-generation common rail technology. Diesel fuel is injected at a very high pressure of 1,600 bar through a multi-step injection process. This results in more efficient combustion and performance.

The Optra diesel is the most powerful diesel car in its segment and outperforms many similar petrol models. It delivers peak power of 120.5 ps and peak torque of 314 Nm.

The new engine has an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system for clean and efficient operation. Part of the exhaust gases are recirculated into the combustion chamber. This keeps the combustion temperature down, which reduces NOx production and ensures efficient, eco-friendly combustion. The Optra diesel boasts additional technological innovations like a dual mass flywheel, which reduces vibration while idling, and a balanced shaft module, which ensures refined and smooth engine operation.

The Optra diesel has a bold new look in front that complements its performance. The bumper, headlamps, grille and side fenders have been restyled to give an aggressive look to the front of the vehicle while retaining the vehicle's excellent proportions overall. Another new feature is the Optra diesel's luxury-style outside mirror with turn indicators. The doors feature grip-type handles. The top-end version of the Optra has premium chrome door handles and chrome insert body side mouldings. The Pininfarina-styled rear has a unique taillamp cluster with fog lamps on the LS and LT variants.

With its new aggressive face, the overall length of the car has grown to 4,540 mm, making it bigger than the likes of Skoda Octavia, Hyundai Elantra, Mitsubishi Cedia and Toyota Corolla. Inside, the Optra diesel features a new instrument panel. The dashboard has a more modern and sporty look. It includes round air vents with silver bezels that add freshness to the styling.

Much of the testing and fine-tuning of Optra Diesel were carried out by GM India's engineering team to suit the local driving and climatic conditions. Gear ratios have been especially selected for Indian driving conditions. In addition, the car's Engine Management System was programmed to ensure that the engine delivers optimum performance in all driving conditions in India on locally available fuel.

The Optra diesel comes with a two-year/50,000-km standard warranty with a service interval of six months or 5,000 km (whichever comes first). Service parts are competitively priced and maintenance costs are among the lowest in the segment.

Chevrolet Spark

The Spark is one of the world's most popular mini-cars. Although its modern, dynamic styling makes the mini look more grown up than ever before, it has retained the "smiling face" of the earlier version. Its large round headlamps with integrated indicators are complemented by strikingly large circular taillamps.

"The Chevrolet Spark is the world's newest-generation compact city car. It sets a new standard for its segment through its modern design, clever space utilisation, affordability and solid engineering," said Mr. Sanjeev Garg, Director Operations, GM India.

Up front, the combination of a robust bumper and large air intake communicates a new sense of sportiness. The overall appearance is dominated by a marked wedge form with short body overhangs.

The powerful look is underlined by the profile of its hood. Steeply rising shoulder lines and converging feature lines in the hood extend through the front fenders, adding tension and dynamism. Two striking V-shaped feature lines give the Spark a three-dimensional look. Steel surfaces continuing through to the front side windows offer an unusual and harmonious link to the side profile.

The exterior design also features smart elements like a rear spoiler, satin silver roof rails and body side mouldings, which are standard on the top trim level. Factory-fitted alloy wheels, a first in the mini segment, are being offered as an option.

The fun exterior is complemented by a groundbreaking interior, which has a completely redesigned cockpit. In the driver's direct line of vision is a semi-circular display area with ergonomic controls and warning lights. Positioned at the centre of the dashboard and easily visible to all occupants are the speedometer and instruments, which feature a combination of analogue and digital displays. The interior is richly appointed across all trim levels, with high-quality fabrics used on seats and door trims.

Thanks to its intelligent packaging and 2,345-mm wheelbase, the five-seater offers a comparatively large amount of space and a feeling of roominess. The Spark comes with a generous assortment of standard convenience features and smart storage spaces. Cup holders, card holders and seat-back shopping hooks are standard. Also standard and extremely useful are internally adjustable outside mirrors that drivers will find a boon in dusty Indian driving conditions. High-performance air conditioning calibrated for India's climate offers precise cabin cooling never before available in the Spark's segment.

With its compact body dimensions (length x width x height: 3,495 mm x 1,495 mm x 1,518 mm) and its small turning radius (4,600 mm), the Spark is not only extremely manoeuvrable, it also fits into any parking space.

Depending on the trim level, standard equipment may also include hydraulic power-assisted steering, electrically operated front and rear windows, and a digital clock. In the LT trim, the rear-seat backrest can be divided in a 60:40 ratio, enabling longer objects to be transported easily. The LT trim also features a sunglass holder in addition to a rear washer-wiper system and defogger.

The Spark is the ideal vehicle in these times of soaring fuel costs and economic uncertainty. GM engineers developed the economical yet powerful new S-Tec engine exclusively for the Spark. The four-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine delivers peak power of 63 ps @ 5,400 rpm and peak torque of 90.3 Nm @ 4,200 rpm. Power and torque are maximised at lower speeds, making the Spark ideal for commuting in congested city traffic as well as on open highways. The peak power per engine displacement volume is the highest in the Spark's segment.

The engine has been optimised via a number of technical improvements such as the adoption of low-friction valve gears, sequential multi-point fuel injection (MPFI), a dual distributor-less ignition system (DDLI), a motorized throttle intake system (MTIS) and advanced optical sensor. A reduced curb weight and more aerodynamic styling further improve the Spark's low drag co-efficient of 0.342, giving it the best fuel efficiency of any vehicle in the market.

Engineers actively utilised state-of-the-art technologies and high-grade materials to enhance safety. Fifty-one percent of the total weight of the Spark's body cell consists of high-strength steel, providing great rigidity and stability while lowering the weight by 10 kg. Precisely defined load paths with an energy-absorbing hexagonal profile protect passengers in the event of a head-on or rear-end collision.

Other safety features in the Spark include a driver air bag that will be available shortly, 2.5-mph impact-proof front and rear bumpers, and tubeless tyres that are a first in the industry in the Spark's segment. The front-end design of the Spark is among the first in its class to comply with new European regulations for pedestrian safety.

GM engineers carried out extensive testing of the Spark across India. The Engine Management System was programmed to ensure optimum performance in all local driving conditions using locally available fuel.

The Chevrolet Spark comes with a three-year/100,000-km standard warranty, which is an industry first in the mini-car segment, and a service interval of six months or 5,000 km (whichever comes first).

GM India is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Corporation. In addition to the Chevrolet Optra diesel and Chevrolet Spark, GM India also manufactures the Chevrolet Tavera, Chevrolet Optra petrol model, Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Aveo U-VA and Chevrolet SRV at its facility in Halol, Gujarat.

For further details please contact: Neha Agarwal / Hanmer & Partners / 040 65406905

Source: Hanmer & Partners

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