[Poitive]

@Naga.Sid, I had taken TD of the Fiesta Classic and since it was a half hearted effort on my part, I wasn't posting it. Now after your post, I think I'll get motivated enough to share it

Thanks for sharing mate.

Originally Posted by Torquedo

According to the last inputs that I received, there has been a misprint on the brochures and this would be rectified in the subsequent brochures.

The Optra brochures has 125.5bhp@3800 mentioned in teh tech specs and a bold 121ps (which is 119.24bhp) in the front! Suggests a misprint. However I have both Sept and Oct 2010 brochures. Both of them mention the specs as above. Now, could Chevy have been careless enough to have repeated the misprint?

From what I remember, someone on the forum had written to GM and even got a reply. Would be good if they can share it with the rest of us.

More to the confusion, another T-BHPian (Viswesh) has got his Jan 2011 Optra with the original tech specs and he has confirmed this on his ownership experience, the link:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...-lt-black.html

Originally Posted by Jakku

These figures were confirmed to me by the sales guy and the brochure also tells the same.

Originally Posted by SLK

This is all news to me! I also bought an Optra last week, the owners manual which appears to be updated in December 2010, lists the original specs.

Funny! that there is no other way to find out!

@SLK,Why don't you do the readers of this thread a favour and write to GM to find out the specs, based on your Chassis (VIN) number and Engine no.?

(will someone guide us to the thread which had the thread started giving details of the car based on VIN no's?)

GM Contact email: gmi.cac@gm.com
GM India contact page: Contact Chevrolet sales and marketing office

Since we are at it, GM India's Facebook page: Chevrolet India - Wall | Facebook

Originally Posted by Jakku

Hello Poitive, Just wanted to check how do we confirm what GM claims is right or wrong? Is there a way we can get the BHP delivered by the engine checked (like checking the correct bandwidth provided by an ISP) or just believe it at the face value?

Originally Posted by Poitive

Mate, since you are in Bangalore, you may be able to get it tested. Brraj had started a thread about his mods (to some insane figures) of the Optra.

Also please link to his thread, on this thread too. More when I am on the comp.

I found the link Here it is:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifi...ph-pg-4-a.html

The above thread will also be useful to anyone considering modding their Optra (engine specs, suspension etc.)

Some other thoughts on the possible change in specs

Now assuming that the change in specs is correct, unless one is a stickler for specs, the change seems minor enough not to worry about. The BHP has only increased, albeit at a higher RMP now. The maximum torque has reduced, but is also achieved at a lower RMP, so it seems that only the peak from before will be tapered off. Experts on this issue, please come out.

Or a better way may be that members who have bought an Optra recently (SLK, Pravs, Vishwesh and others) can comment on this. Some questions for you.

1. Comparing your Magnum to the TD vehicle, do you notice a significant change in power delivery or other aspects?
2. There has been some talk about the fuel tank being reduced. How large is your Magnum's fuel tank?
3. The Alloys have been changed and is known. Any other change you noticed in the car?

Hope you guys don't miss this post!

[khoj]

Originally Posted by Poitive

From what I remember the engine in the Diesel versions of the Elantra and Optra Magnum is the same.

What the .... or rather how, where and when did this happen?

Did I miss something somewhere?

[akshay4587]

Originally Posted by khoj

What the .... or rather how, where and when did this happen?

Did I miss something somewhere?

I guess he is right,albeit the engines were in a different state of tune.
same goes for Tucson's engine as well.

[Torquedo]

I happened to test drive a Brand New (24 Kms on the ODO) Optra yesterday (being TBHPian I should have refused), here are my findings:

1) The leather upholstery (seats) are no longer pure leather as the one that I saw in a 2008 Optra TD vehicle, they are now PU leather.

2) The current lot of Optra being sold belong to a particular VIN series -

9th Alphabet - B
10th Alphabet - B

and the last 5 digits are like 11XXX (I can confirm on this as I have verified this for 5 odd cars some delivered and some to be).

This indicates that the cars are Feb 2011 make, but but, there was another thing that I found out yesterday.

The is a small black colored metal plate on the bottom of the left hand side front door which had the Eng. No. , the Chassis No. and the month and year of manufacture, which showed DB, now this indicates that the car is April 2011 make. This has again left a lot of confusion in my head, the metal plate that i'm talking about had these numbers inscribed, can the experienced lot here on the forum throw some light as to what the correct month of manufacture would be?

Time for a Questions:

Diesel experts (I have never owned a Diesel vehicle) might answer this one for me as this is turning out to be a deal breaker for me -

This new vehicle had it's share of coarseness about it (it did not sound refined), the sudden burst of turbo was also missing and it did not drive like the way I have driven the TD vehicles (4 fully loaded with AC @ 180+), so my questions are as follows -

1) Do the diesel engines behave this way (not being refined initially)?
2) The surge was not prominent as in the previous TD vehicles, does the turbo take time to settle down with the engine after prolonged use (1K ~ 2K) or can it be something to do the changed specs (max horses coming in @ 3800 instead of 3000)?

I am almost done (trying to arrange for best available finance option) finalizing the Optra, but the TD yesterday has raised serious concerns, experts please chip in.

Happy Motoring !!

[bansal98]

Originally Posted by Torquedo

This indicates that the cars are Feb 2011 make

I had gone to the Chevrolet showroom here in Bangalore few days back and they said that it would take 20 days for the Optra Magnum diesel to be delivered. But if the current lot is from Feb 2011, it shouldn't take them this long to transport the car. Not sure what is going on.

[visweshkalambur]

@ Poitive - I can for one confirm the tank capacity in my car is definitely more than 45 litres. I purchased the car in Feb (Took delivery in March, January 2011 make) I had the fuel needle half way between quarter tank and last white line (Near empty), filled fuel with auto cut off and it could hold 44.XX litres. So the tank capacity is more than 45 litres. Owners manual says its 60 Litres.

@ Torquedo - wrt diesel engine clatter, I have noticed and understand that it takes some running in for it to get refined. Typically/ ideally around 3k kms atleast. I own an Optra which has run 3.5K kms now and it has settled down now.

Regarding pick up, i think its more of the engine warming up. If you read the owners manual, they specifically say, because the vehicle comes with a turbo charger, it is advisable not to do sudden acceleration until the optimum engine heat is attained. Similarly, it is a best practise to let the engine idle for atleast 45 secs to 1 min before you turn the engine off.

Was it a case where in the earlier test drive, the car was bought to your place and for this test drive you had taken it from the showroom? If that be the case, it could be possible that in the second case, engine was nt warmed up enough.

WRT specs i have confirmed that specs as per my owners manual as mentioned in Poitive's response. Hope this helps. I would say the 2 concerns mentioned above are things not to be worried. It is a great buy and would suggest you go for it.

Good luck and keep us posted on your purchase.

[Torquedo]

Originally Posted by visweshkalambur

Was it a case where in the earlier test drive, the car was bought to your place and for this test drive you had taken it from the showroom? If that be the case, it could be possible that in the second case, engine was nt warmed up enough.

Good luck and keep us posted on your purchase.

You are spot on, Viswesh, the previous TD's were with vehicles that were brought to my place so they were well warmed up.

Hummm, leaves me thinking now.

Thanks for the wishes, but I am at a crossroad now, if not the Optra, then I would save a few bucks for another year and then plonk them on the Cruze.

Vento was not to my liking so I might as well wait and go for the Cruze.

Shall keep you posted on the call.

Thanks.

[visweshkalambur]

@ Torquedo - Glad your question was answered. Is space a constraint for you? I can definitely say that Optra is much more spacious than the Cruze. However, there are indeed a lot of positives for Cruze too. Thinking of it, we always have a chance to buy a better car... wat if, you save for 1.5 yrs and you can afford a Jetta

[Torquedo]

Originally Posted by visweshkalambur

@ Torquedo - Glad your question was answered. Is space a constraint for you? I can definitely say that Optra is much more spacious than the Cruze. However, there are indeed a lot of positives for Cruze too. Thinking of it, we always have a chance to buy a better car... wat if, you save for 1.5 yrs and you can afford a Jetta

You have been a BIG time help! Viswesh.

No space is not a constraint, my father is being chauffeured in a Figo, my wifey is going to graduate to my Swift.

On the interior space and turbo lag issue, Optra wins hands down. I TD a new Cruze as well yesterday, the turbo lag was much more annoying in the Cruze I must admit.

My parents keep asking me last question that you have stated and I have no answer to that till date.

Thanks once again !!

[visweshkalambur]

Am glad i could be of help. If you are talking about being Chauffer driven, I would definitely recommend the Optra. The ride quality of this car is really plush. Dont read it wrong, Optra has turbo lag too. Like i had mentioned in my ownership review.. it is important to learn to accelerate gradually. Ofcourse after around 1800 rpm, it is a beast . Think about it, like they say, a bird in hand is better than 2 in the bush

[Jakku]

Originally Posted by Torquedo

I happened to test drive a Brand New (24 Kms on the ODO) Optra yesterday (being TBHPian I should have refused), here are my findings:

1) The leather upholstery (seats) are no longer pure leather as the one that I saw in a 2008 Optra TD vehicle, they are now PU leather.

Oops, I am yet to see the new model in flesh and the plushness of the interiors were one of the 2 reasons for almost deciding this vehicle (the other one in the race being Linea 1.3 MJD E Pack. So I don't want to lose out on this point :(

[ampere]

If one is being driven around, then why not the Altis diesel. Low displacement/power will never be a concern then, as you would be in a back seat wont care who is overtaking outside!

[visweshkalambur]

@ ampere..it is easily atleast a lakh more expensive than the Optra...with a lesser engine cubic capacity...

I cant debate on the worthiness of the altis otherwise..

[visweshkalambur]

@ Jakku... while i would nt want to debate on the interiors completely, I can tell you that the interiors in Optra feels more spacious and vibrant than the Linea. I think the beige interiors (read light colours) help in addition to the largeeeeeeee space within the car. The seat covers aint bad and importantly it fits well and does nt look out of place.

[Poitive]

Originally Posted by Torquedo

I happened to test drive a Brand New (24 Kms on the ODO) Optra yesterday (being TBHPian I should have refused), here are my findings:

1) The leather upholstery (seats) are no longer pure leather as the one that I saw in a 2008 Optra TD vehicle, they are now PU leather.

By any chance was it the LS model and not the LT?

More when I am on the comp.