Test drive Opel Meriva 2003 - 2005 Minivan

Love and business plan

A single -volume or one and a half -compound body layout has always been attractive to designers and developers. Over the past decade, almost every manufacturer included at least one similar model in his model range, and the volume of minivans is growing from year to year. If you extrapolate this trend for the future, it will turn out that soon all cars will turn into non -combatants. Now the process has already reached the second phase, systematization and wagons are time to divide into their own classes. Let's look at the smallest sizes perfectly well known to Mitsubishi Space Star and only appeared on the Opel Meriva market. Naturally, taking into account the difference in age.
General information
As a rule, single -combatants are not designed specifically, but are built on the platform of the sedan already existing in the production range or, at least, are laid together with the whole family of bodies. At first it was understood that the minivans will have or three rows of seats or a giant luggage compartment (if without seats). The main idea was in building on the same area as the base machine, a high bus, with a more vertical planting of riders and a stack of a forward layout. But gradually, the views of the subject expanded, and not only the model of segments C and D became the basis for building up, but also the very tiny dimensions of V. Truth, in relation to our experimental, this is not entirely Space Star made of shortened Carisma, and Meriva essence of Corsa from Adds of elements from Astra! Here is such a cocktail. Mitsubishi has the following engines: 1.3 l 82 l. p., 1.6 l 98 l. With. and 1.8 l 112 l. s., And Opel has these: 1.6 l 87 and 100 liters. With. and 1.8 125 liters. With. It is logical to compare modifications with average power. Otherwise, the external dimensions, the weight category and dynamic characteristics of cars are also almost identical, which allows them to be considered direct competitors.
Dynamics
Is it possible to demand close or at least comparable parameters and characteristics from two cars, one of which is a measure with mechanics, and the other Space Star with a machine gun? It’s not too much living cars that have been taking it so much and you have to take what they give. But I suggest not too worried about this, because for a single -raised these differences go into the background, pushed by the criteria of practicality. How to find out which car is more frustrated? Dry numbers in the table will not replace the sensations obtained empirically. You can come to the dealer at least where it is, and in a leopard voice to demand acquaintance with the car not in the cabin, but on the road. You will probably be offered to ride in the company with the manager, who must monitor that you do not leave for good and do not care, albeit insured, but state property. So it will not be possible to drive obviously. Our capabilities are somewhat wider, although still I would not want to abuse freedom too much, and, likening to some colleagues, to drive absolutely peaceful, civil versions in prohibitive regimes, erasing the rubber to the sliks and woefully due to the insufficient speed of the standard rearrangement. Of course, a car with a handle starts sharper, although very soon it becomes clear that a competitor with a machine gun ceases to lag behind and even begins to partly catch up. But in the range of high revolutions at each transmission and, of course, with quick mechanical switching, Opel plays a meter by a meter, although to a lesser extent than could be assumed based on the difference between the two types of transmission. It should be added that switching the Japanese automatic transmission is soft and short, but somewhat lubricated, with a slight slipping effect. The illusion of the speed of acceleration of the measure also creates a sonorous accompaniment that occurs after 3500 revolutions and after 130 km/h, regardless of the transmission. But the noise of the motor and the resonance of wheeled arches are not always a sign of active acceleration! Against this background, the silence in the space star is simply impressive, apparently, they had not yet sought to save in weight, and did not regret the extra kilograms of ten in sound insulation. The brake dynamics of both machines frankly pleases, both in terms of slowdown and the information content of the pedal. But if a German car freezes almost in a position at the rack, then Mitsubishi at the end of the braking significantly pecks with his nose. Moreover, this happens even with partial slowdown.
Controllability
With controllability, the picture is as follows. Meriva steams almost like a passenger car. Compared to the coins of rolls and swings, it was not increased. And this is even strange, because an increase in the center of gravity due to general growth and a highly located long and heavy steel roof inevitably leads to an increase in the moments of inertia relative to the longitudinal and transverse axes. Space Star still somehow falls under this pattern, although I would not dare to call it rogue. Unless in a duel with Opel you begin to notice that in a sharp turn, Mitsubishi is slightly crossed through the outer front wheel, as if slightly breaking the knee. From the point of view of the passage of irregularities, it is not so easy to identify the best. The Japanese, of course, has a more energy -intensive suspension, but it works somewhat specifically. If you remember the tests of carisms, then everyone who is not lazy noted sharp blows during the operation of elastic elements on the hift. Space Star inherited the same style: you are going through the average pits, everything is nothing, but you will begin to jump from the curbs or cheerfully skip through large irregularities you will hear the characteristic voiced blows of straightening springs. It’s just that their length is not enough to stretch much more than with static load.
Cracability is by no means an evaluative category for purely city cars, but who prevents at least taking it into account? Do not forget that, in addition to normal streets, there are a sufficient number of directions where each of us is at least occasionally forced to call. And given the increased trunk volume in comparison with the base model with a folded second series of seats, it is not difficult to assume that periodic trips to a phase with a refrigerator-televisor-couture are almost guaranteed to you. And here is the unconditional favorite of Space Star. Its tall road clearance and flat bottom helps to completely storm both borders and moderate lane. And here it is not clearance that is important, but the real height of the thresholds, because it is with them, and not the lowest point in the gem of the crankcase or the beam of the leading bridge, most likely, you risk clinging to the relief step. True, Mitsubishi has low overhangs so that it’s better to go to go obliquely. But Opel, on the contrary, has almost dragged the body along the asphalt, but there are almost no overhangs at all!
Ergonomics
Here, competitors are little comparable, they come from different eras and even from different centuries. Mitsubishi was created at that time when the company did not think about the total update of the model range, which began last season. Inside the not too obsolete body, a very archaic filling is hidden. The interior here is overloaded with an abundance of curved, chubby fragments. In addition, everything is done in a gloomy, but in a black in black color that the space is visually stealing. However, the evidence of all functions and ease of management is redeemed by a lot. Of the shortcomings, one family location of the middle rear headrest in the viewing area is corrected in two seconds by dismantling of interference. Another minus is also insignificant. We are talking about the steering wheel switch, he sticks out at a significant angle up and at times disorients the driver: it suddenly seems that the right turn is not turned off, and then, without really canceling the command to the left, you believe that the switch is in a neutral position. And the turning signal is ticking on this car very quietly. Against this background, Meriva looks almost impeccably laconicism, turning into austerity, is very suitable for a modern, compact and utilitarian car. Gray plastic with implanted in it and well-read CD Magical and Climate Management do not require much time to adjust. And the information is perfectly perceived from the screen located on the original cylinder, raised above the instrument panel. From Opelian inconvenience, I will note the lack of a handrail under the natural grip on the sheathing of the doors. To pull the door to yourself when you slam it, it is not a problem for a horizontal handle, but there is nothing to hold on to the passenger during movement, except for the handrail on the ceiling. But for a long time it is inconvenient to go inconveniently. The ergonomics of the driver’s place does not cause any complaints in any of the microvoans, although it surprises the armrest on the Space Star. It is insufficient to take a hand there, but would interfere with me when switching (we have a machine gun!). Compact machines with a large glazing area, by definition, should not have blind zones. This is especially helped by a stand pushed forward, which does not overlap the machine moving in the transverse direction. But on Mitsubishi, the front side glass is whole, and on the Opel, due to the design of the doorway, there is an additional stand and a triangle of the window.
Practicality
Obviously, practicality as a category should dominate cars with a similar type of layout. Therefore, it is worth noting that both manufacturers tried to glory the second row of seats easily removed down, forming a whole volume. In the Meriva, in addition, the back of the driver's seat is folded forward for transporting longs. It is also more even gender, and the trim of the luggage compartment is more practical. But if you do not fold the sofa, then it is more spacious to go in the second row in Mitsubishi. But you can go around the cars in front. The single -collapses have short hoods, and Opel opens a narrow gap through which only the valve cover is visible. But Space Star offers to digest, if necessary, in the motor with the same success as on the sedan, the hood of normal length.
 
Summary
If with the oppose part of the material it is easier to see, then I sing, then drawing conclusions and giving assessments is always risky. The dynamics is important to one, and the other is saving fuel, someone wants to comfortably be located at the wheel, and someone is important that the hired driver transports cargoes, then passengers ... Drive, this time, conclusions on your own, and I will only hint . Mitsubishi Space Star my old love, but time goes. Opel Meriva against his background looks more interesting, especially if you purchase this car in private property. But for business I would still take Mitsubishi. Yes, he is a little cheaper.
HOW DO THEY LOOK
Nikita Rozanov
Outside: five years of age difference for modern automobile design is very significant ... According to the laws of the global market conditions, it is required to conduct, if not a radical change in style, then at least facelifting. Designers and developers of Mitsubishi, one of the pioneers of the expansion of Japanese minivans in Europe did everything correctly: Space Star was represented in the 98th, and in the new century the car was drawn up. Opel Meriva product 2003. The car is young, and it is not yet required for plastic surgery. Take a look at the faces: Meriva is the same Vectra, only small and very large -scale. This is the so -called corporate design, very fashionable today. Space Star, alas, loses in this nomination. The appearance of the machine does not correlate with the style that its current chief designer Olivier Bula offers for Mitsubishi. Opel leadership in profile is even more obvious, and its bold silhouette with four side windows and short, turning into racks A, the hood of the time. At first glance, the leader is the same behind. But take a look at how elegantly the shape of the back -item of the minivan is solved: Space Star True Japanese and Master of Details.
Inside: if you sit behind the wheel, then the effect of the meeting of two centuries is felt even stronger. The High-Tekov style of Opel, who loved all according to the same Vectra, is undoubtedly more modern and acute than what Japanese designers offer. This also applies to the steering wheel, which is only four -spitsevo on duty on the Space Star, and the Meriva is concise and sports, and the general plastic plan of the Opel interior, which is solved more acute and dynamic and this is the main stylistic feature of our time.
Summary: Well, of course, as in most cases (but not always), the youth and plan of Opel designers defeat. Although the details ... Look how they are executed on a Japanese car: more traditionally, but somehow clearer, and although all this is less stylish, but probably more convenient.
Text Vladimir Smirnov photo Alexander Nozdrin
 

 

Source: Cars