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GM India’s strategy to introduce different variants of the Optra to widen the car's appeal seems to be working. Optra sales are steady and the car is now well established. After the Optra 1.8 Max, which came with a cheaper price tag and 1.6 interiors, GMI has moved to the other end of the spectrum with the classy Optra Design Edition.
This model is a celebration of the Optra's successful completion of one year in India. Priced at Rs 10,98,746, this special-edition Optra is expensive but you get a lot for your money.
Firstly, it gets a new Chevy grille, much nicer looking than the rebadged Daewoo nose the current Optra is sold with. A thick chrome strip runs horizontally through the chrome-rimmed grille with the traditional bow tie sitting on it. If this grille, which is used on Chevy’s North American models, proves popular, it could be offered on other Optra variants as well.
The standard 185/65 R14 tyres shod on metal rims on the regular Optra have been replaced with 15-inch alloys and 195/55 R15 rubber. The wider and lower profile tyres will sharpen handling and improve steering response but the trade-off will be a slight deterioration in the ride.
The rich interior justifies the car's price tag. You get leather upholstery, LCD screens, a DVD player, a six-CD changer, wood-paneled dashboard, leather steering with wood inserts — the works! Wire-free headphones are offered for those who wish to fade music out while watching a movie on the seven-inch LCD screens. The CD changer from the top-of-the-line 1.8 LT manual is retained in the Design Edition.
The celebratory Optra is Rs 63,944 more expensive than the 1.8 LT manual which costs Rs 10,34,802 (ex-showroom, Mumbai) but is Rs 234 cheaper than the most expensive variant — the 1.8 LT automatic priced at Rs 10,98,983.
Even in regular form, the Optra is a practical and spacious car. Its refined 1.8-litre motor performs well although the gearshift could be better. But the 1.8-litre variant doesn't match Optra 1.6 sales as the latter is cheaper and buyers don't mind settling down for the same car with a slightly smaller engine and a few features less. Having the same car in two segments with different powertrains gives GMI the flexibility to mix and match features to make them attractive options for car buyers. The Design Edition is one such option. Compare it to the pricier Corolla and clearly this Optra is the one to go for. Sushant Balsekar

C-RIOUSLY IMPROVED MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS
The Olympian spirit seems to have been well and truly imbibed by Mercedes-Benz. Not only did the manufacturer introduce two more powerful versions of the C-class, but it has now improved the C again. Smart touches and classy additions now make Mercedes' W203 look much sharper. The chin or bumper is all-new. A wider air inlet, neatly integrated clear fog lamps and taller airdams on the edges (that help the air flow around the wheels better) make the nose of the new C look sharper. The new chin emphasises the width of the car more, and this is reinforced by the introduction of larger, wider tyres. Standing now on some of the best-looking alloys around, these 16-inch rims are now a size larger than those on the earlier model, with tyre size also up from 195 to 205. The 'twin yolk' headlamps also look much fresher, they now use clear lenses that reveal a lot of interesting details inside the lamps. Also new rearview mirrors that now have indicators housed inside them and a sportier rocker panel. Climb into the new C and, for a second, you could be forgiven for thinking you've stepped into an E-class. The instrument cluster has simple, round dials done in traditional black-and-white with chrome rings. The function buttons are neatly arranged on the top row, the customised music system is almost identical to that on the E and the HVAC controls have been refashioned to look like those on the SL. The solidly-built interiors now finally have that Merc touch of class and plush feel too. And you even get a CD changer as standard. The rear seat, however, remains the same —comfortable if empty, but cramped if the front seats are pushed back. The other big news is that Merc has fine tuned its baby to be an even better driver's car with a group of changes collectively known as 'Direct Control'. The new C-class has a new location for the steering rack, different tie rods as well as a faster steering ratio. The steering rack has been moved forward below the sump of the car to optimise the angle at which the tie rod functions, and the steering ratio is also quicker. Along with the larger 16-inch rims, the new C is even more willing to turn into a corner and change direction. The steering still isn't as direct as the BMW 3-Series but the slightly dead-on center feel is now eradicated. Couple that with the C’s phenomenal body control, grip and on-limit handling and you have nothing less than one of the finest driving saloons. And with the new car being only around Rs 9,000 dearer, it’s much better value. Shapur Kotwal
FACTFILE
How much? PRICE Rs 23.74-27.40 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai) How big? Length 4528mm Width 1728mm Height 1426mm Wheelbase 2715mm Fuel tank capacity 62 litres Kerb weight 1505/1545kg (auto)	Engine Layout 4-cyl, 1796cc (Kompressor)/ 2148cc (CDI) Max power 158/141bhp Max torque 22.53/34.67kgm what to expect Better-looking, better-driving, more plush version of the baby Merc
Captions: >> Mirrors get turn indicators. >> Freshened tail-lights, bumper.

SIGNATURE CHEVY Optra 1.8 Design Edition
GM India’s strategy to introduce different variants of the Optra to widen the car's appeal seems to be working. Optra sales are steady and the car is now well established. After the Optra 1.8 Max, which came with a cheaper price tag and 1.6 interiors, GMI has moved to the other end of the spectrum with the classy Optra Design Edition. This model is a celebration of the Optra's successful completion of one year in India. Priced at Rs 10,98,746, this special-edition Optra is expensive but you get a lot for your money. Firstly, it gets a new Chevy grille, much nicer looking than the rebadged Daewoo nose the current Optra is sold with. A thick chrome strip runs horizontally through the chrome-rimmed grille with the traditional bow tie sitting on it. If this grille, which is used on Chevy’s North American models, proves popular, it could be offered on other Optra variants as well. The standard 185/65 R14 tyres shod on metal rims on the regular Optra have been replaced with 15-inch alloys and 195/55 R15 rubber. The wider and lower profile tyres will sharpen handling and improve steering response but the trade-off will be a slight deterioration in the ride. The rich interior justifies the car's price tag. You get leather upholstery, LCD screens, a DVD player, a six-CD changer, wood-paneled dashboard, leather steering with wood inserts — the works! Wire-free headphones are offered for those who wish to fade music out while watching a movie on the seven-inch LCD screens. The CD changer from the top-of-the-line 1.8 LT manual is retained in the Design Edition. The celebratory Optra is Rs 63,944 more expensive than the 1.8 LT manual which costs Rs 10,34,802 (ex-showroom, Mumbai) but is Rs 234 cheaper than the most expensive variant — the 1.8 LT automatic priced at Rs 10,98,983. Even in regular form, the Optra is a practical and spacious car. Its refined 1.8-litre motor performs well although the gearshift could be better. But the 1.8-litre variant doesn't match Optra 1.6 sales as the latter is cheaper and buyers don't mind settling down for the same car with a slightly smaller engine and a few features less. Having the same car in two segments with different powertrains gives GMI the flexibility to mix and match features to make them attractive options for car buyers. The Design Edition is one such option. Compare it to the pricier Corolla and clearly this Optra is the one to go for. Sushant Balsekar
FACTFILE
How much? PRICE Rs 10.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai) How big? Length 4500mm Width 1725mm Height 1445mm Wheelbase 2600mm Fuel tank capacity 60 litres Kerb weight 1220kg	Engine Layout 4-cylinder, 1799cc Max power 115bhp at 5800rpm Max torque 15.9kgm at 4000rpm what to expect Fresh styling and innovative features offer fantastic value.
Captions: >> Exterior styling is retained except for grille and wheels; headlights give out xenon-like beam. >> Wood-effect inserts in dashboard and steering lend classy touch. >> New 15-inch alloys shod with wider, low-profile 195/55 R15 tyres >> Delphi DVD system; traditional Chevy grille enlivens front end.