Test Drive Citroen C-Crosser since 2007 SUV
Good translation from Japanese
Finally, the Citroen appeared all-wheel drive car. About how the double chevron rushed from the asphalt track and that from this came out, tells Vladimir Solovyov. Photo by author.French Citroen never tried to argue immense. More recently, the previous chief of the company Claude Satin explained to me that the company, creating high-end roads, is not torn to the segment of the soughs. And indeed, Citroen did not produce cars designed to wheel off road. (I do not take some special cars on the tracked go, in which the famous hiking in Sakhara and Asia were held in the twentieth and thirty years). The new director of the brand Gilles Michel may adhere to another opinion, but it is quite clear that the decision on the C-Crosser was adopted before its purpose. Probably, Mr. Satin did not want to be ahead of the events, and maybe I did not consider the future all-wheel drive truly French.
One way or another, in the model range of the firstborn of high passability. Step timely, but at the same time indecisive. Firstly, because the Citroen all-wheel drive is not a full sortier, and the so-called SUV or, as we are called it, a parcoatnik, secondly, because Crosser The overflow version of the Japanese Mitsubishi-Outlander. That is, the XL Outlander was already when the PSA concern was connected to the project of Mitsubishi. The main thing is that the result is all satisfied: the Japanese company has the opportunity to download fully production facilities of the Mitsushim plant, and its European partners have gained stylish cars from the experienced producer of oscidences. Under the stamp Citroen in Japan, 15 thousand cars will be produced annually. Engines, in particular, diesel 2.2 liters with the particulate filters will remain French. It was on such a car that I had a chance to shake in the vicinity of Pyreneev.
Outfit fit and to face
Literature knows a lot of examples when the book is surpassed by the original. I do not first say that in relation to Mitsubishi, it turned out this way, but the translation of the Outlander XL to French was successful.
What was required that the double chevron could allow her natural glitter by car from the distant country of the rising sun? As it turned out, not so much. First of all, cosmetics for the front of the body. Another hood, headlights, radiator grille, more chromium on the thresholds, other food design, in which the main changes affected light instruments, and, of course, branded Citroen logos in front, rear, on wheels. Japanese feld fits perfectly into the French family.
In the cabin there was an additional folding seat of the third row, which is not on the XL outlanders supplied to Russia. Citroen engineers configured the suspension in their own way. What is the Frenchman with Japanese roots capable?
Cross Country
Everyone who buys a utilitarian sports car or SUV is counting on what will ride not only on asphalt. But permanent four-wheel drive is an additional fuel consumption. Therefore, sitting behind the wheel and fitting the seat, I first delivered the transmission mode switch to the front drive position, the route started on ordinary roads.
The wheel of the regulator is between the front seats and allows you to select two more modes: the full automatic and full forced, when two thirds of the torque are fed to the rear wheels and a third to the front.
The steering wheel is adjusted by departure and height. Three handles of the climatic installation on the front console are a clear rudiment, moving from the outlander of the first generation.
The car is vigorously accelerated. Diesel speeds are easily rising to 5,000 per minute, but the gear ratios of the boxes are close, and it is necessary to switch quite often, pleasantly squeezing in the fingers of the skin of the knob in the knob.
On the course of the tse-crossroom is no different from the passenger car. Is that sitting just above. The front suspension of the Mac-Fersson and the rear multi-dimensional provide enviable stability and comfort. Spin on mountain serpentines pleasure and highway car confidently behaves even at speeds for 150 km / h.
But at rough terrain requires attention. On excessively steep lines, it is necessary to heat them hard with not fully inclusive clutch. Full automatic and full with forced locking modes will be removed in the mud, stretched out of the deep rut, will ensure the best car control on a slippery road, but will be helpless if suddenly the machine will be with possession wheels diagonally. There is no interstole blocking. But the tasks to achieve this level of passability seem to have not set themselves Japanese nor French engineers.
And although the car on the passability significantly exceeds its highways, the first Citroenovsky 4x4 is more suitable for general use.
However, the C-Crosser is a very successful all-wheel drive. Perhaps Citroen will have others, and not only translated from Japanese.
Citroen C-Crosser is more suitable for public roads. Outside the highway, its permeability is limited to the road clearance of 174 mm and a transmission feature.
Jean-Batist Toma, Citroen Representative Office in Russia
The first C-Crosser will appear in Russia at the beginning of next year. Let's start with the supply of machines with 2.4 liter gasoline engines, in combinations with mechanical and automatic boxes. Then we plan to and diesel 2.2 liters, on which we went with you. Official prices will declare the end of this year. We assume to sell cars in rich equipment, prices will be at the level of competitors. The car has an interesting appearance, especially the design of the front, it looks rich, but even more impressive driving qualities, how she keeps the road, as controlled. Tse-crosser all-wheel drive car is very stable in turns. This will be appreciated both the driver and passengers. I think that, despite the similarity with the outlander and that in the first year the number of cars will be limited, we will find our customers. Customers who are important to the style that trust the brand who would like to ride on all-wheel drive Citroen.
A source: Journal "Behind the wheel"