Well, I finally got to drive the Bling machine late Sunday night.
First thing I noticed when i reached for the handbrake was that there was none! Nope, wait a minute, there it was...on the other side of the center console. Great if this was a left hand drive vehicle!
The engine. Its smooth, silent and reasonably swift. However, it had those typical Holden charicteristics i.e. slow revving, not much power low down, but decent amount of torque midway, useful in everyday driving I would imagine.
The gearbox had some wide throws, especially the 2nd to 3rd shift, but was not clunky as I thought it would be. Smooth, but lethargic is how I would classify it. But these are things you automatically acclimatise yourself to after a few minutes in the car.
The new tyres were awesome. To me, the ride was perfect. Not harsh at all at low or high speeds and compliment the very capable suspension well. The Corolla does not have a patch on the Optra in ride quality. I took a few corners at a fairly decent clip(yet restrained as I could sense Rudra flinching
![Big Grin](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.png)
) and not a sound from the tyres. They look terrific on those 15" multispokes too.
Steering feel though was all but missing. Its just too antiseptic, too disconnected. Great for traffic and parking, but not what you want when the speeds rise. This i would have to say was my biggest dissapointment.
Now, for those interiors. They are simply great. The seats are really supportive, much better than the Octavia's. That sunroof adds to the open feeling of the car, however does cut in on headroom. The drivers' seat is height adjustable, but not the passenger's. A bit of cost cutting there.
The materials used are really good too, although that fake wood looks cheap. Rudra's speakers and boom box were terrific. Very pimp indeed...cruising down the strip with the 'box thumping away...I can see him now!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Optra is one heck of a car! No, its not a "driver's" car, but not everyone wants one either.
Rt