GM joins the war of the estates with its Opel Swing.
If the Corsa sedan is here, then its estate version, in this age of shared components, can't be far behind. General Motors India is all set to launch the Opel Swing to take on the other estates in the fray, the Maruti Baleno Altura and the Siena Weekend.
The Swing, slightly smaller the other two estates, nonetheless comes with all the Opel attributes of a reliable engine, plush interiors, and impeccable ride. This estate version comes with two Eco-tech engine options 1598 CC and 1389 CC 8 valve SOHC MPFI with a four cylinder in-line configuration.
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The Swing 1.6 delivers 92 bhp at 5600 rpm and a generous 12.6 kgm of torque that is available at 3200 rpm. The 1.4, on the other hand, develops four bhp less than its more powerful sibling, generating a turning force of 11 kgm at 3200 rpm.
Both the engines are proven performers and going by our experience with the Corsa sedan, should provide for a linear power delivery and chunky mid-range grunt. The interiors are typically Opel, with extra attention paid to the details for that rich feel. The Swing's boot, as in all estates, is a commodious one, with 378 litres of it, and this increases once the rear seats are folded.
The suspension set-up, which comprises of McPherson struts and anti-roll bar at the front and a crank compound with double conical springs and stabiliser bar at the rear, should provide for a comfortable ride and handling. The Swing rides on 13-inch wheels, but Opel provides 14-inch alloys as an option.
The Opel Swing is expected to be priced slightly lower than the Weekend and the Altura, given its smaller dimensions. While the Altura, at Rs 8, 36,000 (ex-Mumbai) is positioned higher, Opel