[kpzen]

Originally Posted by anandpadhye

Is Optra diesel lauched or did you take an unofficial test drive?

Its launched & a tbhpian should have got one already...

[Zappo]

Anand Optra Magnum TCDi has already been launched. And showrooms have started accepted bookings for confirmed delivery.

[rangaraj]

Surprised that no one has talked about the GC - 165mm.. The 170mm of the Civic was talked about as being low when loaded and did scrape speed breakers.. Did anyone try a fully loaded Magnum with our road conditions?

[BUSA]

Thanks for the report cooldude1234567891011122325326247

IMHO at that cost Skoada Octavia makes more sense, as it is a more refined car and with a better FE.

though the skoda seems like a better option

The LT version should have been placed well below 10Lac. 11.5 is way too high.

1. First and foremost, Optra is sold worldwide in all the markets be it developing or developed countries. Its used by Top Gear for Star in reasonably priced car.

2. The Indian Octavia is a 1996 design which doesnot sell anywhere else in the world and was replaced by the New Octavia which Skoda by fooling us named it the Laura, infact the Laura should have been priced at similar pricing of the Octavia.

3. Here is a rough comparo : -

Skoda Octavia - 0 - 100 - 13.11secs, 1.9, 90bhp, 210NM
Chevrolet Optra - 0 - 100 - 9.8secs, 2.0, 120bhp, 315NM

The Optra is waaaaaaaay faster, much torquier and stops better to. Also Skoda uses TDi(Not CRDi) tech on the Octy AFAIK.

4. The Octy(nearest model to the top of the line LT Magnum) doesnot come with the following features : -

• Anti Lock Braking System
• Rear Disc Brakes
• Alloy Wheels
• Leather Seats
• Electornically retactable rear view mirrors

5. Spare part bin of the Octavia is double then that of the Optra, hence the Optra is cheaper to maintain and also comes with a fabolous warranty.

6. The Laura's rear legroom is not adequate enough so you can well imagine what the Octavia's might be? The Optra has got a award by OD for the Most Comfortable Rear Seat.

Looking at the above points what do you want a better car or snob value

Edit

Surprised that no one has talked about the GC - 165mm.. The 170mm of the Civic was talked about as being low when loaded and did scrape speed breakers.. Did anyone try a fully loaded Magnum with our road conditions?

The Civics suspension is quite soft and hence it touches, the Octy with 134mm also doesnot touch on all the speedbreakers so depends on how the suspension is tuned and not completely on the GC. My Optra's GC is 165mm and it never touches any speedbreaker on full load of passengers and luggage.

[cooldude1988765]

Originally Posted by rangaraj

Surprised that no one has talked about the GC - 165mm.. The 170mm of the Civic was talked about as being low when loaded and did scrape speed breakers.. Did anyone try a fully loaded Magnum with our road conditions?

There were 5 people in th car when i test drove it and i went on two mountains (speed breakers) and it did not scrape the bottom.

FYI (for hyderabadis) the two speed breakers are the new ones on road number 10 near cancer hospital.

[cooldude1988765]

Originally Posted by kpzen

Wow..! Good to see a Test drive report so soon....!
Would have loved to know more about the engine performance as thats the biggest surprise this car has in store..

What more do you want me to tell you about the engine ??

[Zappo]

Originally Posted by cooldude1988765

FYI (for hyderabadis) the two speed breakers are the new ones on road number 10 near cancer hospital.

OT: I do not know what did they set out to make when they started on those two mounds. Whatever they had in mind I am sure they were not planning breakers. They are not speed breakers but can break a lot many other things for sure. Everyday I drive over those two mounds and swear profusely.

[Vid6639]

Originally Posted by rangaraj

Surprised that no one has talked about the GC - 165mm.. The 170mm of the Civic was talked about as being low when loaded and did scrape speed breakers.. Did anyone try a fully loaded Magnum with our road conditions?

The GC is the lowest point in the car. it may not necessarily be in the middle of the car. In which case the middle may not scrape.

Also, the main reason of the civic bottoming out even with a GC of 170mm is actually the wheelbase which at 2700mm is one of the longest.

[babhishek]

cant wait for my test drive...
cars are delayed but on their way to kolkata.

i definitely want to test drive this, was going for the SX4 test drive yesterday and this car and the engine specifically stopped me.

the mileage figure quoted makes me go slurrrp slurrrp.
however the price mentioned 11 lac+ is a tad higher than expected, after reading the other thread on the magnum.

[cooldude1988765]

Cars in hyderabad are more expensive than in kolkata for sure

[1100D]

Does it Beat the Verna 0-100?
I think some waiting Fiat fans are going to be converted (given that most of them are waiting for the 1.9 JTD and know if eventually that arrives it will only arrive in its 8-valve offering).

[BUSA]

Does it Beat the Verna 0-100?

Easily the Verna takes 11.xx secs the Optra takes 9.8

[.anshuman]

Went to the GM dealer to check out the chevrolet optra magnum tcdi,the car will be available for testdrive by tomorrow but took these pics.

[gkrishn]

Thats weird.

All the magnums, i saw so far, had that "milk mustache". The mangnum in anusham's pic dosn't have them. Is that an LT only feature?!?!

[Vid6639]

what's a milk moustache???

edit: ok now i got it. you mean upper lip on the bonnet. thank god it doesnt have it. looks bad IMO.