GM launches Optra diesel

Chennai, June 11 (UNI) General Motors (GM) India rolled out the diesel version of Chevrolet Optra and Chevrolet Spark Mini Car today.

"This year, we are keeping up the momentum with the launch of new entries in the country's high-potential diesel segment and the market's predominant mini-car segment," Company President and Managing Director Rajeev Chaba told newspersons here.

The new Optra Diesel has a 2.0 litre Turbochanged Common Rail Direct Injection (TCDI) engine that utlises second-generation Common Rail Technology, he explained adding the car came with overall length of 4,540 mm, making it bigger than the likes of 'Skoda Octavia', 'Hyundai Elantra', 'Mitsubishi Cedia' and 'Toyota Corolla.' On the Chevrolet Spark, he said the car would set new standards for its segment through its modern design, clever space utilisation, affordability and solid engineering, he pointed out.

"With its compact body dimensions, the car comes with an overall length of 3,495 mm and its small turning radius (4,600 mm) to fit into any small parking space.

The four-cylinder 1.0 litre petrol engine delivers peak power of 63 PS at 5,400 RPM and peak torque of 90.3 NM at 4,200 RPM, he said adding power and torque were maximised at lower speeds, making the car ideal for cummuting in congested city traffic as well as on open highways.

Chevrolet Optra was priced at Rs 8,78,252 (ex-showroom, Chennai) while Chevrolet Spark would be sold at Rs 3,09,851 (ex-showroom, Chennai).

The company has a manufacturing plant in Halol, Gujarat and its new facility plant at Talegaon, Maharashtra was expected to be operational by August next year.

UNI