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The new Optra Magnum comes with updated frontal features such as a re-styled bumper, almond-shaped headlights, as well as integrated signal lights on the side mirrors.
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Interior
The interior is rather uninspiring, but not dreary. Step in and you will find yourself greeted by an instrument cluster which looks like it was designed by some random man using Microsoft Word with some default font, and a centre console from Excel.
Build quality is at an acceptable level. At least there it did not cause a sense of fear that some bits and pieces would start rattling while driving on the road. And importantly, too, it didn't. Even though they do look like a collection of snap-together plastics, it will hardly lose out to the standards you would find on most other regular Japanese cars.
While the funky design of its audio head unit with its odd volume knob shows some effort in improvements, it strays far away from the overall look of the inside and sticks out like a sore thumb.
The interior is rather uninspiring, but not dreary. Step in and you will find yourself greeted by an instrument cluster which looks like it was designed by some random man using Microsoft Word with some default font, and a centre console from Excel.
Build quality is at an acceptable level. At least there it did not cause a sense of fear that some bits and pieces would start rattling while driving on the road. And importantly, too, it didn't. Even though they do look like a collection of snap-together plastics, it will hardly lose out to the standards you would find on most other regular Japanese cars.
While the funky design of its audio head unit with its odd volume knob shows some effort in improvements, it strays far away from the overall look of the inside and sticks out like a sore thumb.
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Driving Impressions/Mechanics
Ride comfort in the Optra Magnum is VERY commendable, even by Japanese and European 1.6 litre sedan standards.
Supported by MacPherson struts, plus a stabilizer bar, at the front and a MacPherson strut dual link suspension and another stabilizer bar in the rear, you do get a fairly refined ride for the budget.
Cruising on the expressway, it does have adequate power for the local roads. Although its 107 horsepower 1.6-litre engine doesn't have a particularly enticing ring to it, it will provide you with the necessary requirements for any other regular commute.
Travelling daily in this should not do much further harm, even if you were sitting in its pretty spacious rear.
If you have a very heavy right foot and enjoy revving up even the most standard saloons, then you would have a problem in your hands (and feet), literally. The steering wheel begins quivering as if it were afraid that the GM Eco-tec engine might blow up, and so does the accelerator pedal.
It does not put up any resistance when cutting through the bends. Despite the rear feeling a little lethargic and disconnected, the nose points in decently and the car barely has any qualms about corners.
Through tighter turns at higher-than-average speeds, though, you would get a little reminder once in a while that it is, after all, a regular sedan and is no hot hatch or sporty coupe, when the front starts wandering out slightly.
BEEP!
Our biggest gripe when driving this car? Parking. It does have a good level of visibility, and seeing out through the rear is a breeze.
Ride comfort in the Optra Magnum is VERY commendable, even by Japanese and European 1.6 litre sedan standards.
Supported by MacPherson struts, plus a stabilizer bar, at the front and a MacPherson strut dual link suspension and another stabilizer bar in the rear, you do get a fairly refined ride for the budget.
Cruising on the expressway, it does have adequate power for the local roads. Although its 107 horsepower 1.6-litre engine doesn't have a particularly enticing ring to it, it will provide you with the necessary requirements for any other regular commute.
Travelling daily in this should not do much further harm, even if you were sitting in its pretty spacious rear.
If you have a very heavy right foot and enjoy revving up even the most standard saloons, then you would have a problem in your hands (and feet), literally. The steering wheel begins quivering as if it were afraid that the GM Eco-tec engine might blow up, and so does the accelerator pedal.
It does not put up any resistance when cutting through the bends. Despite the rear feeling a little lethargic and disconnected, the nose points in decently and the car barely has any qualms about corners.
Through tighter turns at higher-than-average speeds, though, you would get a little reminder once in a while that it is, after all, a regular sedan and is no hot hatch or sporty coupe, when the front starts wandering out slightly.
BEEP!
Our biggest gripe when driving this car? Parking. It does have a good level of visibility, and seeing out through the rear is a breeze.
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But if you thought having a nagging, backseat-driving mother-in-law was bad, then you should introduce her to the parking sensor system in this Optra Magnum.
It beeps louder and more ear-piercingly than even the most vile and profane of angry ex-girlfriends or their fuming mad moms. It is also as temperamental as some of those could be, shrieking continuously when there is not even a single obstacle in your proximity for a good ten metres, and keeping quiet when there really was a wall or another car. Almost as if the parking sensors could not wait to sabotage your day.
Even though most of you might argue that it is easily changeable, it still brings to me an important thought: Is there still a good level of care and consideration for the customers? I mean, if you had to lose your sense of hearing just so you could park the car properly?
It beeps louder and more ear-piercingly than even the most vile and profane of angry ex-girlfriends or their fuming mad moms. It is also as temperamental as some of those could be, shrieking continuously when there is not even a single obstacle in your proximity for a good ten metres, and keeping quiet when there really was a wall or another car. Almost as if the parking sensors could not wait to sabotage your day.
Even though most of you might argue that it is easily changeable, it still brings to me an important thought: Is there still a good level of care and consideration for the customers? I mean, if you had to lose your sense of hearing just so you could park the car properly?
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Why buy?
So on the whole, with a commendable level of practicality, styling and good value for money. Just remember not to check the parking sensor option. Do make sure that your friendly Chevrolet dealer corrects any potential "loudness" should you buy this car, failing which the mother-in-law will do just fine.
So on the whole, with a commendable level of practicality, styling and good value for money. Just remember not to check the parking sensor option. Do make sure that your friendly Chevrolet dealer corrects any potential "loudness" should you buy this car, failing which the mother-in-law will do just fine.
Specifications -
Price: $57,800
Engine: 4 Cylinders, 16-valves
Power: 109Bhp @ 5800rpm ( 68.2bhp/litre)
Torque: 150Nm @ 4000rpm
Transmission: 4 -speed Auto
Length/width/height: 4508 / 1725 / 1445 mm
Wheelbase: 2600 mm
Kerb weight: 1235 kg
0-100km/h: 14.3 sec
Price: $57,800
Engine: 4 Cylinders, 16-valves
Power: 109Bhp @ 5800rpm ( 68.2bhp/litre)
Torque: 150Nm @ 4000rpm
Transmission: 4 -speed Auto
Length/width/height: 4508 / 1725 / 1445 mm
Wheelbase: 2600 mm
Kerb weight: 1235 kg
0-100km/h: 14.3 sec
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