Test Drive Citroen C-Elysee 2013 - NV Sedan
Economy Limousine
What is special in the new sedan Citroen C-Elysee.
This is some kind of patient fashion to do on the basis of hatchbacks of sedans with an enlarged wheeled base, where all the additional space relies with the rear passengers. Economy class limousine? If so, then a little more, and fua-gras will begin in the pyaterochka. However, in the mill partitioners, replenishment: Citroen C-Elysee, Hyundai Solaris sedans and Volkswagen Polo Sedan.
The C-Elysee argument, with which heavily argue is stretched on 11 centimeters, compared with the donor, hatchback Citroen C3, wheelbase. That is, places for the feet of the rear passengers as in Volkswagen Passat or Ford Mondeo! Citroenovers are proud: compared to Volkswagen Polo Sedan, Hyundai Solaris and Chevrolet Aveo, the stock of the space from behind their model is 5-7 centimeters more.
Sounds sweet, but there are problems. Let the places on the feet behind the back really a lot, high people in the elses will be drunk their heads into the ceiling. And threesome here is closely the salon is the same narrow as Citroen C3. In the doorway there are no pockets. The power windows keys are located on the back of the central armrest uncomfortable. Actually, there is no rear armrest too. Not in tightness, but in the offense.
The front C-ELYSEE is rather similar to the senior hatchback C4 than on the C3, which he borrowed a platform
But in general, the concept of a sedan for sluggish developing countries is approximately this and implies. The client from these markets (in the case of C-Elysee, this is China, Russia, Turkey, Spain and Brazil) is supposed to be lured by ticks, placed opposite the advantages of the new product regarding its competitors. Places behind the most tick! Air conditioning with a beautiful display one more! Automatic as well with sports mode! The trunk is huge! Parktronic is available!
And it doesn't matter that the ancient-ancient machine, and the inner trim of the trunk is bare metal.
1. Calon visually similar to the decoration C3 but in the details of the C-Elysee is much easier
2.Someter, unlike most French cars, with even digitization
3. Air conditioning and audio system requires some addictive French ergonomics, as in no way
4.ChemesPacade machine is outdated, but the modern control electronics breathed a new life into the box
5. Clamp windows on the central tunnel saving manufacturer on wiring and production
6. Certificate of the audio system is very convenient for the French
7. The presence of linear and USB inputs is great. But the cigarette lighter and the ashtray are located so inconvenient, as far as it is possible
By the way, since the trunk has entered the compartment at least a spacious, but with a very narrow opening. The loop of the trunk lid occupy a part of the space, and no springs or even more hydraulic mevelopments are not provided if you open it until it stops, then you can get on the head.
Outside, the cover can be opened only from the key or by pressing the button in the cabin. Well, even though there are two plastic handles on the inside.
And such savings everywhere. The abundance of hard plastic is understandable: who from competitors finish is better, asked? But in the legs of the driver and the front passenger, the pile of no covered wires, and the extruded material of the ceiling finish is not better than Renault Logan. Actually, in terms of the level of savings on trifles Citroen C-Elysee is in the middle between Renault Logan and such machines as Hyundai Solaris or Volkswagen Polo Sedan.
Harsh adaptation
Everything else, however, is quite worthy. Finishing materials inexpensive, but edible, the steering wheel is covered with skin, the audio system is equipped with a USB input and is able to play music via Bluetooth protocol. The seats are good without any tensiones they, by the way, are specifically designed for C-ELYSEE and compared to Citroen C3 they have a thinner back and otherwise located side airbags: all sake of the rear passengers. Landing behind the wheel, even despite the lack of adjustment by departure, not bad, but ergonomics
Oh, this ergonomics!
Cotors Citroen, Renault and Peugeot Favorite criticism object among non-fans of the French car industry. The hit parade of uncomfortable solutions is easy to remember, even if you wake up in the middle of the night. An illogical interface of the audio system, wheel adjustment wheel heating in the blind zone, incomprehensible onboard computer. All this Citroen C-Elysee, of course, is. And even more!
Places behind the car, but there is no niches in the door, no central armrest.
Let's start with the keys of the electric windows, they are in front, which is behind, are located along the central tunnel, so only the yoga of the 80 level will be able to reach them. The French explain that in such a deployment of the buttons there is its own plus front passenger, they say, it can close all windows. Although they do not deny that the case is primarily in saving on wiring.
The front armrest is, as the B-class machines relies, it is absolutely impossible to use the transferences with the mechanics normally, only if it is removed. The audio unit has a large rotating handle, but it, contrary to any logic, will lead to a rarely used menu, and not adjusting the volume level for this there are a pair of keys with a mosquito. And the air conditioner does not have an indication of a given temperature instead of it. It is proposed to use a not very informative scale.
Citroen C-Elysee surprises a very pleasant chassis: the suspension is comfortable and easily digested even serious irregularities. In this case, the car is managed very nice
And hit ashtray. It is located right at the bottom of the armrest. How without looking to extinguish in her cigarette, I'm afraid, even the same yogi knows. When I told about this C-Elysee project manager, he laughed in response and offered to quit smoking.
In general, even a person who did not reveal both parachutes in the air, and then more optimism than I had before I got behind the steering wheel of the French sedan. And it turned out that it is going through all this good by no means as an economy class!
Chassis charming. At first, I wanted to quarrel on the electrical power of the steering wheel, it works strangely. But you get on serpentines, and everything becomes in place. There are almost no rolls, the demolition of the front axle is felt perfectly, and from driving you get a real pleasure. On the track, too, zero problems: Citroen C-Elysee allows you to move with quite adult speeds, not straining or vertical star, no sailboat, nor lying.
The smoothness of the stroke is another good news. It was possible to expect that on asphalt joints, the C-ELYSEE will fight in convulsions, but no, the suspension is tolerant to the irregularities of almost any caliber. At the same time there are no valves and in risen.
A serious complaint, in essence, one Citroen C-Elysee is noisy at high speed. First, howls the motor (at a speed of 120 kilometers per hour, he is on the mechanics that on the machine, works for almost 4000 revs per minute). Secondly, noise insulation of the wheeled arches leaves much to be desired even by defining the quiet green tires Michelin Energy at speeds vote too intrusive.
1.6 VTI engine, which develops 115 horsepower and 150 nm of torque (other motors 72-strong gasoline 1.2 VTI and 92-strong diesel 1.6 HDI did not give us), created on the basis of the old 110-strong atmospheric 1.6, boasts good responsiveness to Pressing the gas pedal, and pulls well. At least, on the highway up to 140 kilometers per hour, Citroen C-Elysee accelerates confidently. The five-speed manual gearbox has long strokes, but it works fine. The clutch drive is also without complaints.
And the automatic transmission is not hopeless. Yes, it was made up from the old (and not reliable in his unreliability) Al4 unit, but pretty worked on the control electronics. Four gears, box, of course, is still not enough, but under the driving style it adapts quickly, and the manual mode is real.
A live car looks behind much better than in the photos. Poienko, but clean
When creating Citroen C-Elysee, the French saved on everything that can only be on the moves. And it pleases. You can accept the hanging wires (and maybe they will hide them to launch into the series?), Bulk insulation and an inconvenient ashtray, but the main thing is that the c-elysee goes as it should! Now it is still necessary that this vigorous economy class car and cost it.
But with this there may be problems. The fact is that it will not be gathered at all in Kaluga, but in Spain. So imports means duties. The French assure that they will offer us a competitive price, but immediately recognize that the Russian C-Elysee market will not explode it should make his older brother Citroen C4 L, which will be produced in Russia. And by whom, by the way, the wheelbase will also be long with the Great Wall.
Basic markets for Citroen C-Elysee:
● China ● Brazil ● Turkey ● Spain ● Central Europe ● Russia
Source: Magazine Motor [December 2012]
