GM motors introduced its Chevrolet OPTRA 1.8 LT in India. The Optra is a Korean car but it has been tailored to India condition. A stylish exterior, designed by Pininfarina, elegantly detailed headlights; three-part grille and an attractive rear make the Optra the best looker in its class.

 

The Optra has two engine options: a 1.8-litre sourced from Holden with a four-speed auto option and a Daewoo-developed 1.6 that has a Variable Geometry Intake System which modulates the air inlet tract to improve throttle response at both low and high rpms. The revised gear ratio on the Optra 1.6 boosts performance and efficiency with adequate levels of refinement. The new VGIS engine on the 1.6 stretches a litre for 9 and 14.4kpl in city and highway conditions respectively.

 

The 1.8 feels best once at highway cruising speeds. The manual gearbox isn’t very impressive, and feels quite clunky. The automatic is better, seamless and quite responsive. However performance is blunted considerably and it doesn’t kick down quick enough to facilitate easy overtaking. Fuel economy, at 8.4 and 13kpl, is not too bad, but with the auto, it goes down to a poor 6.9 and 8.2kpl.

 

The Optra has MacPherson struts in front and multi-link suspension at the rear. The drum brakes at the rear are a bit of a let down. The NY has a new grille, and more goodies, including ABS. The Optra’s biggest asset is its spacious, rich-feeling cabin, one of the best in the class. The chrome-ringed dials, rubberised air-vent controls, stereo and plenty of cubby-holes show that the interiors have been designed with great care. At the rear, legroom is good, but the seating is somewhat low. It has electronic push-button adjustment for the air-con would be preferable instead of the three dials. The high-end Optras gets an in-dash CD-changer, but there are only cassette players on the base model.

 

The Optra has excellent high-speed manners, and feels superb while cruising at steady speeds. With a chassis fine-tuned by Lotus Engineering in the UK, the Optra’s high-speed poise and composure sets it apart from the others.

 

The steering however is not the most direct and at times feels frozen. Low speed ride too is on the stiffer side and can be jarring on certain rough surfaces.

 

GM’s Optra has precisely filled the slot vacated by the Opel Astra in the entry-luxury segment. A handsome car crammed with showroom appeal, the Optra also has a competitive price tag and plenty of standard equipment to help it along. The new 1.6 Royale may be a better bet with goodies to match the best, especially as an urban runabout as it is more efficient than its larger sibling and only marginally less powerful.

 

 

The top-of-the-line Optra LT gets a steering-mounted remote control as well, and now there’s more wood garnish, on the steering wheel and centre console in particular. It offers various features like

Driver Seat Height Adjuster, Tilt Steering, Driver and Co-Driver Seat Lumbar Support, Remote Keyless Entry with Chirp and Trunk Opening, Front Fog lamps, Leather upholstery, Chrome Outside Door Handles and Tailgate Handle, 14″ Alloy wheels, Electrically operated sun roof, Double DIN Audio system with 5 CD Changer, Dual airbag, Automatic Climate Control System, Rear Disc Brakes, All-around wood finish including Centre Panel, Tilt Adjustable Front Headrests ,15″ ALLOY WHEELS WITH ABS and EBD as option at extra cost.

Filed under: Chevrolet Cars in India