MAGNUM OPUS

One of GM8217;s best offerings, the Optra Magnum with its diesel engine noses ahead of its petrol siblings, combining sporty looks with good fuel economy

Diesel is the future is a belief that has taken deep root among auto manufacturers. It8217;s obvious from the fact that the world8217;s largest automobile company, General Motors GM, has introduced a diesel engine for its flagship Chevrolet Optra. This has not only brought versatility to the model, but also helped the Optra Magnum take on the more expensive Skoda Octavia and Hyundai Elantra in the diesel-powered segment. Considering that the Optra variants8212;1.8 litre, 1.6 litre and the automatic8212;had not done too well, the Magnum is a happy result for GM. For, the 2-litre turbocharged common rail direct injection TCDi may finally dethrone the Octavia which has ruled the high-end diesel car market in India.

Exterior
Most of Magnum8217;s styling remains the same as its Optra siblings except for the nose which, forgive the pun, helps it to nose ahead of the others. The car has stylish almond-shaped headlights borrowed from the Chevrolet SRV hatchback. It also has an all-new aggressive-looking chrome grill with a larger Chevy Bowtie which you just can8217;t miss. The front bumper has been beefed up, and it is the only car in its segment to have wing mirrors with turn indicators. Its 15-inch alloy wheels and chrome door handles give it a sporty look. The rear, however, hasn8217;t had a makeover, apart from the Magnum and TCDi badge8212;a bit of a let down as it does not gel with the sporty, nose-up front. Though the Optra has always looked impressive, these changes have made the executive sedan sporty enough to lure younger buyers.

Interiors
The dashboard has new 360-degree air vents which, however, are not very effective for a luxury car the size of Magnum. The gear knob has been newly designed and brushed with chrome, while the top-of-the-line LT has two-tone beige interiors with wooden panels. Music lovers get their fill with the Alpine MP3/WMA and cassette player. The seats are ergonomically built, and the driver8217;s seat comes with the right contours, manual height and angle adjustments. The armrest can be opened to reveal a knick-knack store. The rear seats are adequately firm and provide good head and knee room; even people over 6 ft tall can stretch easily. The tilt steering wheel adds to the car8217;s comfort. The Magnum also comes with twin airbags8212;driver and front passenger8212;and anti-lock braking system.

Engine/Powertrain
The 2-litre diesel engine makes it a car to reckon with. The refined 4-cylinder, 16-valve, 120.5 PS stunner never runs out of power. It also pumps out the maximum torque of 314 Nm at 2,125, which is much better than that of both Octavia and Elantra. With excellent acceleration and a responsive steering wheel, the Magnum is definitely a speed demon. The handling of the car is much better than its petrol siblings which are a bit sluggish. The engine is slightly noisy in the first and second gears, but in third gear it8217;s almost noiseless when the AC is on. It cruises easily at 120-130 kmph, tempting you to step on the accelerator, to get to its maximum speed of 190 kmph. Unlike the petrol Optra, the gears are sharp and the gear shift smooth.

Fuel economy
Magnum provides a within-the-city mileage of 12 kmpl with the aircon switched on8212;very good for a car in this segment. On the highway, it logs 16 kmpl with AC on and cruising at around 100 kmph.

Last word
Magnum is the car to buy in its segment. It has a very responsive engine and the handling of the car at any speed is very good. Let8217;s not forget that it8217; also fuel efficient with an easy-on-the-wallet diesel heart. The price too competes for attention. In Delhi, the ex-showroom tag is Rs 8.5-9.99 lakh. Competitor Octavia costs Rs 11.03 lakh and Elantra Rs 9.3 lakh. Need we say more?