Chevrolet Optra SRV

General Motors (GM) India launched the Chevrolet Optra SRV targeting young, design-oriented professionals with India's first premium sportsback. The Chevy Optra SRV (Sport Recreation Vehicle) is a five-door hatchback built on the Optra platform, sharing the same wheelbase, width and overall height with its larger sibling. A stylish car with youthful appeal, the Optra SRV combines contemporary Italian design with well-appointed accommodations. The car is designed for the Indian market, while it also continues to be sold globally. It largely competes with the Swift, Getz and Palio, with more power, performance and price.

Under the hood, a 1,598 cc, 16V Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) engine outputs 99.62 hp of power at 5,400 rpm and a maximum torque of 140 Nm at 4,500 rpm. The Variable Geometry Induction System (VGIS), also featured on the Chevrolet Aveo 1.6, boosts fuel economy.

Though the engine mapping gains fuel economy, it lags substantial power in the lower gears because peak torque comes at 4,500 rpm. Transmission is the standard H-pattern 5-speed manual with five forward and one reverse gear. The Optra SRV has a soft clutch and a rather notchy gearbox with long throws.

The engine accelerates smoothly and is perfectly at home while cruising at top highway speeds, well past 2,000 rpm.

The Chevrolet Optra SRV features universal sporty styling and an aerodynamic profile. The car wears 14-inch alloy wheels and rides high with a ground clearance of 185 mm; its build quality is also solid. The front fascia wears the signature Chevy "bow-tie", almond-shaped headlamps, a large air dam and fog lamps. A long hood gives way to a steeply raked windscreen. The rear-end sports a spoiler, new horizontally aligned tail lamps and a boxy trunk lid. Standard exterior features include power windows, fog lamps, chrome door handles, printed antenna and a rear spoiler.

The cabin is practical and roomy with firm, supportive seats; a four-spoke steering wheel (non-adjustable); a simple, uncluttered dashboard and centre console. A 60-40 split-folding rear seatback translates into more space to accommodate more cargo. Fit and finish is good, but one expects more amenities from a car at this price tag.

Standard interior features include a digital clock, height-adjustable driver's seat, split-folding rear seat, rear seat armrest with cup holder, cooled glovebox, sunglass holder, clutch footrest, rear wiper, rear defogger with timer and a 6-speaker system.

Options include driver side airbag, driver's seatbelt with load limiter, 15-inch alloy wheels with 195/60 R15 tyres, leather-wrapped steering wheel (4-spoke) and gear knob, Alpine 2 DIN Radio Cassette MP3 Player with remote, electrically operated Outside Rear View Mirrors (ORVMs) and five mph impact-proof front bumper.