SURE-FOOTED, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS

GM India has worked hard to get the Optra’s suspension spot-on, and its efforts have largely been rewarded. However, the ride is a touch on the firm side, and you can feel the stiffness in the suspension at low speeds on bad roads, on which it makes a mildly audible drumming noise. On city roads, the Octavia has an edge and soaks up bumps effortlessly. However, build up speed and there is a remarkable transformation in the Optra’s road behaviour. The faster you go, the better the ride gets. We were amazed at the Optra’s high-speed poise on bad roads and the incredible sense of stability it imparts. Also impressive is the quiet manner in which the suspension works. Road noise is minimal, with only a slight rumbling sound audible on a bad surface.

The steering felt a touch numb and inert about the dead-ahead position and is not the most responsive. Yes, there is certainly some mushiness when the Optra is hurled into a corner; it just doesn’t feel as sporty as, say, the Honda City. The long wheelbase is better suited to relaxed highway driving than quick direction changes on a twisty road, where the weedy 185/65 R14 tyres break traction quite easily under power. However, it is difficult to ruffle the Optra’s overall composure. It is vice-free, and the handling is completely predictable. However, while the well-weighted brakes also provide a fair degree of confidence, they tend to fade when used hard repeatedly. And of course, we missed the ABS.