Chevy Optra in India gets a facelift

[Ming]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

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

Agreed, but one of the things needed most is a massaging of the powertrain to deliver better fuel economy, at least for the 2.0L engine + 4-speed, and especially for the markets that don't / won't get the new diesels.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

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.

They've used gold and blue on and off since the beginning. The gold is good... a lot better than generic silver. It would look like the gold chipped off. The blue ain't bad though.

[t-rex]

I'm one of those that believes a "family face" is important in identifying your product. I'm glad to see GM "Chevy-izing" some of their inherited non-GM designs.

[bone]

I see many Optras,especially the wagon, around here.(Quebec)The new front end ties in well with other Chevies. All the car needs now to be competitive is a new smother and more fuel efficient powerplant.

[AG3]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

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.

That looks like GMDAT's 3-spoke steering wheel with no-airbag(its usually found on the standard or base models of some GMDAT models sold in markets that don't require standard airbags).

[greenhornet]

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.

Yes, gold trim is tacky looking on any car. How about a bright royal blue metalic bow tie for Chevies around the globe? Or not. Frankly m'dear, I don't give a damn. My Chevrolet interests are limited to USA and Canada markets only. And since Mexico has a great wall of Texas, keeping the poor peons out of here and preventing me from looking over it, I guess I shouldn't even think about them anymore.

Is there any truth to the rumor that the homeland security storm troopers are shutting all Taco Bells?

Step on it Kato, I think my computer is bugged.

[asim]

I guess this is what they call the new global face for Chevrolet. I guess most of the cars are already starting to look like that, so this whole global face isn't all that bad. I just want to see what the designers can do for the Corvette.

[steve333]

Originally Posted by 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.

I wanted to make this a new thread but it fits in well here:

Check this out and see how a car company that wants to stay ahead of the pack operates. When I see GM update their cars regularly like Mazda, then Ill be a believer. Right now I see they are not serious at all about being the best:

New for 2007
The 2007 Mazda Mazda3 receives minor updates including a more rigid body, body-color front grille, redesigned front bumper with square fog lights, and the 4-door s sedan now has LEDs for rear combination lights and redesigned 16- and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The interior is fitted with newly added rear armrests with integrated cupholders for rear-seat occupants, 4-door i sedan features interior color packages with newly designed white gauges and zebra-striped wood-finish dash trim, 4-door sedan’s rear cargo space side and end trim have been modified to allow large and a trunk lid recess on top of the bumper has been added, and gray cloth interior is available on select exterior colors. Audio systems have been upgraded with an auxiliary audio input and 12-volt power outlets are now standard.

[samkung]

I keep wondering if GM is going to sell the new Malibu around the world instead of the Epica, or will they become the same car in the near future?

[Butz]

The new grille makes it look better, but doesn't work so well with the roundish headlights. It's a nice update either way.

[DmitryKo]

Originally Posted by TKR

what is next for GM-DAT? Lacetti, Aveo or ????

The next is a "new compact sedan" by 2009-2010, which I hope will be based on Delta II and will follow the styling of the WTCC Ultra.

[DmitryKo]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

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

Strange... why introduce these minor changes with the bumpers and the steering wheel when the Lacetti is nearing the end its product cycle?

[AG3]

Originally Posted by DmitryKo

Strange... why introduce these minor changes with the bumpers and the steering wheel when the Lacetti is nearing the end its product cycle?

The front end changes are just cosmetic, its a hatchback front end with a new bumper+grill(probably good for the next 2 years?).

The steering wheel is not really new.
Like what I said in my previous post, this is GMDAT's 3-spoke steering wheel with no airbag.
Its used in some base or standard models sold in countries that don't require standard airbags.

Here's a base 2003 Chevy Aveo(sold in some markets) with the same 3-spoke steering wheel...

[DmitryKo]

Originally Posted by AG3

The front end changes are just cosmetic

Well, why introduce any cosmetic changes?

[DmitryKo]

Originally Posted by AG3

The front end changes are just cosmetic

Well, why introduce any styling change?