Test Drive Citroen C-Elysee 2013 - NV Sedan
Estets on strong legs
In a budget class, the main adviser when buying a car is a calculator. But competing is growing, and the French re-applied special weapons. Added to choose a drop of not only calculation, but also aesthetics is once. And in order not to interfere with the aesthetics, Citroen C-Elysee, and Peugeot 301, a common slaughter argument.
On our, the world will configure the world ...
When a pair of car related manufacturers comes to the market, it is interesting to compare them. So now I was sure that I was lucky: first in Barcelona, \u200b\u200bI get acquainted with Citroen C-Elysee, and soon we fly to Antalya, to meet with Peugeot 301. We will catch a subtle difference in the settings? To deal with the choice of complete sets, look like some (as it usually happens from a French duet) will be included on aesthetics, second on driver qualities?
It was not here! Cold shower turned on from the first minutes. Differences, except for external, between relatives this time is not! Do not put both fat dots: they say, we showed European settings, and what we will have and the same thing! And the European suspension cannot be called: a small sedan from Citroen, nor from Peugeot does not plan in Europe. Do not need such Europe! Russia, China, Africa, Latin and South America, well, a number of third-world countries here who forms the demand for such cars. And it is they who now give the French a considerable share of sales.
Therefore, we hear: cars were preparing for bad roads and a complex climate. And the diligence that the desired set of qualities was selected, and then tested under conditions close to combat, the tall respect! Protection against dust, climate provision in the cabin in the heat and cold. For cars, and not for a car with at least some off-road ambitions, it is also stipulated by the possibility of driving around the roads! Point of air intake, through which water can be bread, raised and protected. The mounting of the suspension is reinforced, and it itself is designed for harsh loads. And all this is checked by more than 4,000,000 kilometers in different parts of the planet. Such introductory impressive! Interest in nuances in manners is replaced by other: what did it all out of all the special preparation?
I guess this word with
In the battle of three-ways in the segment b manufacturers as if they started the game in the field of wonders: I will post four with small meters so much space! I am more! And, like magicians, rushed promised to extract, playing all possible parameters. Even the shape of the panels won, the French couple have a flat-top box, but the knees are more. It seemed to squeeze more space for passengers from behind than in Skoda Rapid, it is impossible. An, no! Slightly losing in the volume of the trunk, Citroen and Peugeot leave a little more space for passenger knees. Here in the space for Skoda's head (well, the Seat Toledo) is still a little ahead, even though Liftback. And trunk? The French lack not in volume, 506 liters in the class is good. The problem is that access is narrow, and it is gently said! The solution to entrust the opening of the trunk only with the buttons on the keychain or in the cabin, while not leaving the mechanical drive, curious, economical, but not unambiguous. Suddenly, what will refuse in this very remote actuator?
Little cars for their class essence did not just stop being flawed, they became really full! The doors of the French, let them open on the bigger angle, are great enough to ensure easy access even to the second row, not to mention the front. Landing the driver, first, comfortable, and secondly, it is possible to fit it for any height. Some endless seat adjustment range! But with the adjustment of the steering wheel, the bluff! She is most likely indicated! Nepnoty movement up-down called the vertical adjustment is difficult. And in departure and not provided at all.
Do not go face
What is saved on everything is visible immediately. How a class is missing any knobs over passengers heads. The circle of solid plastic, only in a more expensive configuration, he was decorated with inserts under a piano varnish. Power window buttons, in order not to mount on the door, carried under the front console, along the corners of the gearbox lever. Unusually, but get used to. It's all better than the console beard, and you can write off on the faders of French design. The upholstery of the ceiling is simple, in a cheaper configuration there are no pens on the front doors (you close for the plastic pocket), and there are no pockets on the rear handles. In a cheap version, the climate is regulated by twilts, push-button blocks and a display, which does not show the temperature, and only refers to the warmer / colder.
But the creators of this duet were saved on the finest, without making a step towards poverty. So what kind of plastic? It looks better than felt on the touch. Did not cried on the electrically regulating mirrors, on seals. In the trunk let the upholstery over the entire lid and no, but the plastic handles from the inside are not forgotten. Yes, these cars are unpretentious, but in no way flawless! Moreover, such a complex designer of savings, balancedness give the opposite effect! The amount is created a more expensive image than all these elements would be left separately. You are not picked up your nose: I wanted to save an insurrection! You give an absolutely normal car. And it is actually very nice.
About adequacy and omnivities
But it becomes more pleasant when Citroen C-Elysee or Peugeot 301 is starting to move! To be honest, it is to look for, what is the principal difference of these machines with different motors, better on the tables. In reality, that 1.6-liter gasoline, that the same volume of diesel behave absolutely adequately. They accelerate the way from them and wait, begin to retrieve on high speeds (by the way, both cars turned out to be like a quiet salon, but actively pass the sound outside). And after entering the moment turns, you can go very quickly. Even the youngest motor with its 1200 cubes and tries, drags! Only shouts slightly more basically. And the machine does not spoil the picture. Although sometimes helpfully freezes on high speed, waiting for your reaction or further pull-cheese, or switch. The idea is good, only the roar is a lot! In any case, negativity is your manners that Citroen is that Peugeot leaves.
But the suspension is generally a solid positive! As if the duet from PSA has not selected the title of the unevenness of irregularities in a recognized leader on this part of Logan. The highway, a broken local road, mountain asphalt, places passing into the gravel, C-Elysee and the 301th take all the playing! Work suspension energy intensive and elastic. Slightly more flints are felt diesel versions (they are tuned under a heavier motor in their own way), but there is no discomfort. Honestly, I have not received such pleasure from, in essence, utilitarian cars!
In general, to whom the developed grille Peugeot, whom the shevrons from the Chevrons Citroen. Decide due to their aesthetic addictions! And I feel more interesting: in the hottest segment from 445,000 (asked by the current leader Hyundai Solaris) comes out in 2013 a whole group of new rivals! And that Citroen C-Elysee is that Peugeot 301 exhibit its very serious general arguments in it. Among which, first of all, it is the suspension. I personally reserve popcorn! I will follow this battle for the hearts and wallets of the buyer. It seems that the battle will be exciting!
Source: Cars
