Bangkok--30 Nov--General Motors (Thailand)
World’s Most Powerful Optra Features 280hp, 16-valve DOHC Engine
Chevrolet Sales Thailand will be showcasing one of the world’s most extraordinary versions of the Chevrolet Optra sedan during the 23rd Bangkok Motor Expo, from November 30-December 11 at Impact Challenger 1-3, Muang Thong Thani.
The custom-built “Lacetti WTC” race car, which has been competing in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) since 2004, is one of the fastest and most high-performance race vehicles in its class. The Lacetti WTC features a 2.0L in-line 4-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine that produces 280 hp output at 8,500 rpm.
William Botwick, President of GM Southeast Asia Operations & President of General Motors Thailand, said: “Showcasing the Lacetti WTC is a slight departure from the vehicle’s we typically showcase during Motor Expos, but because we produce and sell the Optra here in Thailand, we’d like to show the Thai market some of the extra-ordinary things Chevrolet is doing with our vehicles in other environments.”
The Chevrolet Lacetti WTC is part of the racing car history for GM and Chevrolet. Throughout 2004, the design team was dedicated to developing an Optra sedan into a high performance race car that would later compete on the World Touring Car Championship circuit in Monza, Italy that same year. This was the first time that Chevrolet had participated in a worldwide tournament.
The Chevrolet Lacetti WTC was designed by RML (Ray Mallock Limited), a renowned British technical and competition team. Alain Menu, a 41-year-old veteran Swiss racer, has led the Chevrolet Lacetti racing team with Alain Menu, who started racing in 1984, is well-known from the 24-hour Le Mans, and has also won the German Touring Car Championship.
The Chevrolet Lacetti WTC will be at the Chevrolet Booth during the 23rd Bangkok Motor Expo, from November 30-December 11 at Impact Challenger 1-3, Muang Thong Thani.
Chevrolet ‘Lacetti WTC’ full specifications
Dimensions
Wheel base 2,620 mm
Length 4,500 mm
Width 1,809 mm
Height 1,360 mm
Front track 1,560 mm
Rear track 1,560 mm
Curb weight 1,140 kg
Fuel capacity 50 liters
Chassis/suspension/tires/wheels
Structure frame Steel unitary structure with FEA optimized roll-cage
Body Steel/composite with Motorsport aerodynamic front splitter and adjustable rear wingFender and rear quarter panels widened to 1,809mm
Front suspension MacPherson Strut, coil springs, gas-filled dampers and anti-roll bar
Rear suspension Dual link, coil springs, gas-filled dampers and anti-roll bar
Wheels and tires 9” x 17” aluminium racing rimsAdvan Competition tires
Front brakes 4-piston aluminium calipers, 332 x 32mm ventilated steel disc, air cooled
Rear brakes 2-piston aluminium calipers,280 x 7 steel disc
Engine
Type GM 2.0-l, 4-cylinder transversally installed, Motec engine management
Displacement 1,998 cc (88 mm bore X 82 mm stroke)
Intake system 64 mm throttle, individual injection, plenum with internal trumpets
Valve train 2 overhead camshafts; 16-valve, direct-mech tappet, 35 mm inlet & exhaust valve diameter, coil spring
Compression ratio 12 to 1
Horsepower 280 hp at 8,500 rpm
Torque 267 nm at 5,800 rpm
Top Speed (est) 254 km/h depending on gear & final ratio
Transmission
Type Hewland 6-speed sequential shiftMechanical linkageSingle clutch discMechanical limited slip differential
For further information, please contact:
Chartchai Suwanasevok,
Director — Public Relations for GM Thailand/ASEAN
General Motors (Thailand) Ltd. and Chevrolet Sales (Thailand) Ltd.
Tel: 0-2791-3400 Fax: 0-2937-0171
Email: [email protected]
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