Chevy Optra in India gets a facelift

[nadepalma]

I wouldn't have posted this normally, but since GM doesn't work in a vacuum, I posted it thinking that perhaps down the line, this new front end could possibly grace the Lacetti/Nubira sold around the world in markets like Europe.

Take a look:
http://uplode.us/viewer.php?id=1433chevyoptra.JPG
http://uplode.us/viewer.php?id=4067optradash.JPG

What do you guys think? To me it appears to be the hatchback version. The interior got updated as well, but they sourced a different radio and steering wheel than the other models sold around the world --- but that's the way it is currently pre-facelift, so I guess the interior will continue like that.

I wonder if GM is planning on spreading this facelifted look to other markets for the short term until the new Optra/Lacetti/Nubira hits the market by decade's end?

[Xeper]

That face looks great, interior is nice but it would of been better if they used to corporate radios from the NA market along with the steering wheel. That is the global look for Chevy and it looks awesome.

[TKR]

Well, now that the updated Epica (Tosca) and Captiva have been launched what is next for GM-DAT? Lacetti, Aveo or ????

[nascarnate326]

Is that a stick in a Chevy car? Wow. Dump the Colarado steering wheel and maybe different seats and the int looks like a winner to me.

[Z28x]

Thats a nice looking front end.

[atomicshark]

I really like the new Chevy front end. It works very well on this car. The dashboard looks upscale for such an inexpensive car. At first glance you don't really notice the cheap bits. Too bad the same cannot be said about the Cobalt/G5.

I really hope Chevrolet gives the Cobalt the new grill treatment at the very least. If we are really lucky I hope the Cobalt gets an all new interior.

I have a feeling we won't see any significant changes until the next generation Cobalt.

[artrix]

thats a nice looking car, i like the new chevy grill

[dallennium]

I like the grill but I wish Cheverolet would make the emblem Silver and not Gold. Gold is not a good fit on any part of a car.

[atomicshark]

Originally Posted by dallennium

I like the grill but I wish Cheverolet would make the emblem Silver and not Gold. Gold is not a good fit on any part of a car.

I agree. The gold emblem bugs me too. I liked it better when it was chrome and blue or red for performance/SS models.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by TKR

Well, now that the updated Epica (Tosca) and Captiva have been launched what is next for GM-DAT? Lacetti, Aveo or ????

The Aveo hatch is long overdue. CD/BP has even stated that he is shocked that they haven't released pics or an autoshow date, etc regarding this product. So I'd suspsect we'll see the launching of the next Aveo Hatch soon --- it'll still be based on the old platform, but nevertheless it will be updated.

As for the Lacetti, we can expect the next version when the new Delta II platform arrives. Since GM is reducing platforms and wants to create global platforms, the next Lacetti/Nubira/Optra will have to debut when the next Astra and Cobatl debut --- so figure end of decade if not a bit sooner.

[powervette]

I hope there will stay a choice of an aluminum-like trim, because the sea of fake wood makes the interior tacky. All we need now are fake leafs
Personally I hoped the interior would be redesigned in the same way as the one in the new Korean Buick Excelle, which looks modern and well made for a cheapo-car.
As for the front end, the grille looks nice, but doesn't go well with the old headlights, as an exterior update, all Optras and Lacettis should get projector headlights that only American Suzuki Reno now has. That fact irritates me a lot.

[TKR]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

The Aveo hatch is long overdue. CD/BP has even stated that he is shocked that they haven't released pics or an autoshow date, etc regarding this product. So I'd suspsect we'll see the launching of the next Aveo Hatch soon --- it'll still be based on the old platform, but nevertheless it will be updated.

As for the Lacetti, we can expect the next version when the new Delta II platform arrives. Since GM is reducing platforms and wants to create global platforms, the next Lacetti/Nubira/Optra will have to debut when the next Astra and Cobatl debut --- so figure end of decade if not a bit sooner.

Yeah..the Aveo (Barina) actually drives better than it should but definitly needs an update esp. from a crash safety point of view. A new engine wouldn't go amiss either. The Lacetti is not a good drive however and I don't know how they are going to get that to the end of the decade without a relatively major update.

[Snafu_SS]

Originally Posted by atomicshark

I agree. The gold emblem bugs me too. I liked it better when it was chrome and blue or red for performance/SS models.

I have no problem with the gold...but I do miss the look of the Blue bowties...which is why I decided to paint mine. It's easy to do really, and makes my truck a lil bit more of my own ^_^

Looking at this car makes me think new cobalt? This front end would be nice on one...

[Ming]

Good find Nadepalma. I have a unique interest in these cars. I like the look but I'm not sure that the angular grille works with the roundish headlights as well as it could. Especially those cheaper headlights. (The Suzuki Reno has projector types but I guess that's too pricey for India) But it does indeed work towards the "global look" that Chevy is aiming for with its next generation of cars and does not look so much like a rebadged Lacetti5 or Reno anymore.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by TKR

Yeah..the Aveo (Barina) actually drives better than it should but definitly needs an update esp. from a crash safety point of view. A new engine wouldn't go amiss either. The Lacetti is not a good drive however and I don't know how they are going to get that to the end of the decade without a relatively major update.

I think that a few small updates should keep it viable enough if they give it some attention. The few problems the car has currently I think can be overcome due to the price --- it might not be as refined as a Focus, Astra, Golf/Rabbit, Megane or Bravo, but for the money it isn't bad.

Regardless, you're point is a valid one --- the new one is still a bit off, so it's worth giving a bit of an update soon to keep folks coming into showrooms.

Originally Posted by Ming

Good find Nadepalma. I have a unique interest in these cars. I like the look but I'm not sure that the angular grille works with the roundish headlights as well as it could. But it does indeed work towards the "global look" that Chevy is aiming for with its next generation of cars and does not look so much like a rebadged Lacetti5 or Reno anymore.

Thanks Ming. I'm not sure how it works either on the hatchback (or at least what I perceive to be the hatch). I wonder if it would look more at home on the sedan and wagon variant since they have differently shaped headlamps.

I wonder if this will make it to production for the rest of the markets Chevy sells this vehicle in. We know Delta II is around the corner, but we don't know how long til it debuts. The Lacetti/Nubira/Optra were updated when GM started to sell it as a Chevy world-wide. Perhaps its time for a small update before the all-new car comes in a few years?

Its just a thought but perhaps a valid one to keep the vehicle viable for the short term.