Chevy Optra in India gets a facelift

[AG3]

Originally Posted by DmitryKo

Well, why introduce any styling change?

If the current model is going to be around for 2 more years then I guess might as well update it.
Subaru did the same thing with the Impreza before the all-new model came out...

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by AG3

If the current model is going to be around for 2 more years then I guess might as well update it.
Subaru did the same thing with the Impreza before the all-new model came out...

I think that is where they are coming from Dmitry - I think AG3 has it right. Keeping the current models around for a few more years means they still have to make them viable and attractive enough to keep the factories moving. My guess is that this is just a swan song for the vehicle ---- but again, this was in India -- who knows if it will be sent to Europe. And my initial guess when I posted this was that it was the hatch version only --- will we see similar changes to the sedan and wagon?

So who knows --- I just think it's interesting that they'd update it first for the Indian market before others --- which in itself might speak fo the importance of that market in GM's future product planning.

[nadepalma]

Two more pics:

http://uplode.us/viewer.php?id=4497optrafront.JPG

http://uplode.us/viewer.php?id=1237optra.JPG

[nadepalma]

Well it looks like this facelifted Optra/Lacetti/Nubira is on the road (or will soon be) in India. If you go to www.chevrolet.co.in its right up front -- and it's called the Chevy Optra "Magnum".

But if you go to a special site set up ( http://www.chevroletoptramagnum.in/ )they give you much more information.

It seems to be an Optra sedan with a Lacetti hatchback front end grafted onto the body of the 4-door model with this revised front grille. So we get the hatch's "almond" headlamps on the sedan's attractive body. Not direct shots of the rear, but the little clip as the site loads seems to show the Lacetti's regular lights but with "blacked out" areas around to make the lamps themselves stand out more.

Take a look at the site for more pics...

[TiburonJT]

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. Although I generally don't like the Chevy bar, the new global front end looks good. The gold emblem looks cheap to me. I would prefer a silver or blue emblem.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by TiburonJT

I agree. Although I generally don't like the Chevy bar, the new global front end looks good. The gold emblem looks cheap to me. I would prefer a silver or blue emblem.

I don't think we'll see a shift in the colors anytime soon. They've just gotten the rest of the world to kinda/sorta make the gold emblem the standard across the lineup --- so having silver or blue would seem like a longshot to me.

But that's just my opinion.

[AG3]

UPDATE: The facelifted Optra was launched in the ASEAN markets after the Indian market.



Is this facelift only for the Indian and Asian/ASEAN markets?
Or will this also reach europe?

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by AG3

UPDATE: The facelifted Optra was launched in the ASEAN markets after the Indian market.



Is this facelift only for the Indian and Asian/ASEAN markets?
Or will this also reach europe?

Nice find AG3. I don't know if it will make it to Europe, but perhaps it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if it does before DeltaII comes online. It maybe an easy way to squeeze out a few extra sales and keep folks coming to Chevy showrooms.

As far as updates go, it's kinda mild, but certainly attractive enough IMHO.

[nadepalma]

AG3 -- I went to a few ASEAN, etc website and took a look at more pictures. The more I see it, the more I like it.

I especially like that there isn't as "chrome strip" above the grille like in the Indian market "Optra Magnum". Without the strip, the look is much better and nicely balanced.

IMHO, Chevy should offer this version in the European and other markets for the coming model year to keep interest going.

When you compare the current European Lacetti/Nubira to the Optra in these ASEAN markets, the difference is night and day: the ASEAN model looks much better to me.

PLUS, if they do this, it will finally bring the entire Lacetti/Nubira family some cohesion. Right now in some markets the sedan/wagon and the hatch share nameplates but not the same "family look". If the adopted this look with the hatch's headlamps and new grille mated to all the body-styles, it would create a better looking range of products.

But that's just me.

Thanks again for the pictures.