Chevrolet Optra Magnum Review by Expert

The C+ Segment sedan Chevrolet Optra Magnum by the General Motor owned American car maker has been in India for the past one decade. Initially sold as Lacetti, the Chevrolet Optra Magnum got its diesel heart in 2007 and then began its real story in the country. Available in petrol and diesel options now, the car price starts at Rs 7.36 lakh where its junior Chevrolet Aveo ends.

In India, Chevrolet has recently been very active with the latest additions such as Chevrolet Beat and Beat Diesel however, Chevrolet Optra Magnum sales remained intact. The 1.6 L petrol engine in Optra Magnum mated to 5 speed manual transmission gives the extra power that the sedan needs. With a power output of 104 PS and a matching torque of 148 Nm means that the petrol Optra Magnum is no less in power than any other offering in its category. The diesel based Optra Magnum has a 2L turbo engine. The common rail direct injection based Optra diesel outputs 121 PS and a relative torque of 314 Nm.

In all, there are six models- three petrol and three diesel. Chevrolet Optra Magnum Max is the base variant and Optra Magnum LS is the high end version. Impressive look and power within are the two factors that support Optra Magnum. The alloy wheels on the car besides the chrome work here and there pose it to be a sports car.

The Optra Magnum can be called as the entry level premium sedan in India. The interior features including ergonomic seating and stylish interior looks coupled with the wooden finish inside on the dashboard and the doors make it look appealing. The instrument cluster is a dial type with a unique illumination. The tilt type leather wrapped steering wheel has four spokes. The inside is clad in plush beige and the seats have leather upholstery. The entertainment department is well handled by 2 Din MP3 player with 6 CD changer. The Optra Magnum also features an electric sunroof. The safety features of the Chevrolet Optra Magnum are dual airbags at the front, Anti-lock Braking System, 5 8.04 kmph impact proof bumper and a rear fog lamps for safety during foggy conditions. In diesel, the Optra Magnum returns 12.8 kmpl while the petrol powered car delivers an average of 11.24 kmpl.

Chevrolet Optra Magnum Mileage and Fuel Efficiency

The Chevrolet Optra Magnum petrol variants, namely 1.6 l LS and LT succeed in delivering a superb mileage performance of about 10.2 Kmpl in the city and around 13.5 Kmpl on the highways which makes up for a good performance and very well satisfying for the customers. The diesel variants on the other side, 2.0 LS and LT easily achieve a mileage of about 12.3 Kmpl in the city and 15.8 Kmpl on the highways making it count for something meaningful in terms of mileage efficiency figures.

Chevrolet Optra Magnum Variants and Features

Compare Chevrolet Optra Magnum

Chevrolet Optra Magnum Colors

White Diamond	Caviar Black	Linen Beige	Velvet Red	Sanddrift Grey	Summit White

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Chevrolet Optra Magnum Engine, Power and Performance

The Chevrolet Optra Magnum is powered by a powerful engine which is available in both diesel and petrol variants. The engines of the Chevrolet Optra Magnum act their part very well and deliver suitable performances.

1.6 L VGIS Petrol Engine

The 1.6 l VGIS engine of the all new Optra Magnum has a displacement of about 1598 cc that has been associated with a 5- speed transmission. The engine is based on the DOHC or the Direct Overhead Camshaft platform along with 4 cylinders that are responsible for its optimum performance. The engine is not just powerful but equally mileage efficient as well and delivers a power of 104 Ps and a torque of 148 Nm.

2.0L TCDI Diesel Engine

Just as its counterpart, the diesel engine of the all new Optra Magnum is not far behind in the race. Perhaps it is even better at characteristics. The Turbo charged diesel engine makes a count on Common Rail technology and platform and delivers a superior power of 121 Ps and a torque of 314 Nm. The engine is again very suitable of 4 cylinders coupled in-line for better performance and compactness.

Chevrolet Optra Magnum Pickup and Acceleration

The Powered 1.6L  VGIS petrol engine is well capable of churning out a tremendous power of about 104 ps at 5800 rpm and a significant torque of about 148 Nm at 34000 rpm with an ease that would keep one wondering about. The 2.0L TCDI Diesel engine on the other hand is equally capable with maximum power of 121 ps at 3000 and a torque of around 314 Nm at 2125 rpm. As far as the pick- up and acceleration is concerned, the 1.6L petrol can zoom from 0-100kmph in 12.5 seconds and attains a top speed of 175 Km/ h with an ease that almost seems effortless. The 2.0L diesel can do the same in just 11.1 seconds and delivers a top speed of about 189 Km/h at an ease. The power and performance unleashed is truly amazing and terrific with the Chevrolet Optra Magnum.

Chevrolet Optra Magnum Interiors and Features

The Chevrolet Optra Magnum has very impressive and superbly elegant exciting features when it comes to talk about the interiors of this beautiful sedan. The Optra has a wide premium dashboard with sleek and very admirable wooden finish that makes it look sensuous as ever. The dash covers a wider space and puts up all the necessary functions just at your pleasure and leisure. The instrument cluster of the car is as good as anything else in the world with scintillating illumination and classy stylish appearance. As soon as you will step into the car, you will be taken into the world of luxury and comfort. The car is made in such a way that it depicts the sense of style and height of luxury. The car is simply the body of modern and classic features in terms of interiors.  The divine flow-through center console is expected to house a vast storage space and other modern features.

The sporty instrument panel looks elegant and attractive and is also accustomed with the red instrument light to increase the visibility at night. The Chevy Optra Magnum has got a unique central panel and console that makes a different and distinguished stand apart from rest of the interior aspects of the car. The 2- din audio and stereo system has been very stylishly placed in the integration of the dash console. The instrument panel of the sedan looks amazing together with the infotainment cluster lined by the wooden finish. The fabric upholstery with varied colors and fabrics gives the car a beautiful look and the users are spellbound. The leather trims are nicely crafted and fitted to ensure that the car is not left behind in terms of style.

The adjustable headrests and the center arm rests add to the comfort and luxury of the sedan’s interiors. There is plenty of space for legs as well as a comfy room for perfect sort of relaxation. The sedan has some impeccable pieces of thoughtful innovations such as the larger glove box together with the sun glass holder and the vanity mirror looks good too. The multifunctional steering is joyful feature. The rear portion of the car too has a center armrest with a bottle and can holder as well. The AC vents have been very well placed in the dash of the car and also add to the aesthetic value of the car.    

The superior quality of seating arrangement is fascinating as comfortable. The larger seats with extra space for your thighs make you forget fatigue on longer hauls. The sharp and elegant phenomenon of memory function in the driver seat together with height adjustable support mechanism adds to the luxury of this premium sedan. The Chevrolet Optra has an electric sunroof in the select variants that adds to looks as well as functionality and leisure in the drive. The magazine holders or the ashtray, each and everything inside the cabin has been given an outline of the astonishing wooden finish. The comfort zone of the sedan gets further expanded with the amazing plush upholstery of the sedan. The interiors of the sedan are truly splendid and command a lot more admiration.

Chevrolet Optra Magnum Exteriors and Features

The Chevrolet Optra Magnum has exciting exteriors too to welcome its customers towards itself and it succeeds quite well in the same with the superb dazzles of sleek and sensuous angular front lights. The premium and very astounding grille in the front is minimal yet very extraordinary. The bonnet is beautiful with the defined outlines and the slope being so sleek and elegant. The bold and imposing company insignia looks humble placed at the center of the grille. The bumpers are sleek matching up to the grille of the car. The body of the kit has been designed in minimalistic manner that outshines every other aspect of the car. The Chevrolet Optra Magnum has a unique integration of fog lamps in the bumpers. The stylish panel of the sedan is not just amazing but quite phenomenal in terms of the appearance. The Body colored side claddings, ORVMs and the premium platinum styled door handles look superb and totally outstanding. The Optra Magnum has alloys like no other, those that are broad and also offer a chrome rotation kind of appearance. The rims of the sedan are truly stylized and look absolutely stunning in their very appearance.

The side lines of the sedan have sensuous glossiness and continue towards the rear with the same type. The rear lights of the sedan are simply astounding and reflect the real beauty of the sedan in a vibrant manner. The elegant back of the car is typical of the way of Chevrolet and assumes a lot more than just style and sportiness. The sunroof in the top most variant of the sedan looks magnificent too. The unique roof slope of the car together with the pillars further contributes to the looks of the car.

The car appears more stunning because of its various distinctive colors-
Light Gold, Caviar Black, Olympic White, Sand Drift Grey, Velvet Red and Sparkling Diamond.

Safety Features in Chevrolet Optra Magnum

Just like any other car from the distinguished company, the Chevrolet Optra too comes fully loaded with standardized and advanced safety measures to ensure a comfort worry- free drive. The Optra Magnum has been given a reinforced steel body to improve upon the strength of the vehicle and prevent it from any collision that might happen. The SRS airbags have been provided in the cabin for both driver and the passengers. Curtain airbags at the rear have also been provisioned for safety and security of the travelers. The side impact beams of the vehicle are super strong and hence help protecting the car from unwanted damages and bruises. The door ajar warning system and other warning alarms have been well integrated on to the infotainment display and instrument cluster.

The seat belts with height adjustment and the seat limit pretension control system is quite an active attribute of the sedan. The Optra Magnum does no miss out on the usual and common features of ABS and EBD together with Electronic stability mechanism. The remote key less entry and central locking of the sedan is exceptional. The burglar alarm also stands out to be a theft free measure. The sedan has been given the provision of disc brakes that help in safer and accurate braking mechanism.

Chevrolet Optra Magnum Driving and Handling

The Optra Magnum is super responsive and powerful when it comes to the driving and handling attributes of the sedan. The Optra Magnum seems tremendously powerful and cool with the hands on electric power steering of the car. The Optra makes way for superb handling with the delight of the cruise control mechanism and the highly acclaimed electronic stability mechanism. The automatic climate control of the car is phenomenal and excellent in keeping the ambience of the cabin cool and very peaceful at all times. The brakes of the car are a total outstanding element of the sedan. The excellent braking comes handy with the discs on all four wheels. The transmission and control is smooth as one can imagine. Driving the Optra Magnum is superb experience in itself. The suspensions of the car being the McPherson Strut type suspension in the front and the anti- roll bar being the rear ones suit the terrains quite well and give you a leisure full drive.

Chevrolet Optra Magnum Accessories

The Optra Magnum comes fully loaded with a 2- din stereo system with fascinating illumination and display along with 4 explosive speakers that deliver amazing musical experience inside the car. Other accessories can be well configured from the company stock.

Chevrolet Optra Magnum Conclusion

The Optra Magnum is delight to own and indeed a complete package that deserves an A+ in terms of luxury and comfort coupled with engine performance.