Chevrolet Optra Magnum TCDi

The Optra Diesel’s long wheelbase and purpose-tuned progressive suspension give it ride quality that impresses immediately. Except for sharp ridges which filter through the cabin, the car rides well over bad roads. In fact, it gets better the faster you go, the Optra maintaining a flat and consistent poise through dips and large bumps. Straight-line stability is impressive and, despite the slightly softer suspension, the Optra tracks true at high speeds and there is no suggestion of nervousness either. Rough ride is brilliant and the Optra doesn’t hop all over the place and toss you around. The steering feel isn’t as impressive. Besides lacking the crispness we would have liked, it isn’t sufficiently isolated from the road. There is considerable torque steer in first and second gears
and the steering tends to follow road irregularities.

The Optra’s brakes are impressive and the all-disc ABS combo certainly impresses.