Skoda Roomster test drive since 2006 -

All photos of Skoda Roomster since 2006

Improved layout

Look, another Roomster went over, the wife said, pointing to Citroen Berlingo, abundantly covered with mud. Yes, from behind, at three quarters, they really looked like ...

How well it all began! In the fall of 2003, Skoda showed the Roomster concept in Frankfurt, and a compact single -coater received many positive reviews. They promised the front chairs unfolding on 180, hudborn doors, and a huge glass instead of the lid of the trunk. However, in the serial model, only the shape of the body and the interesting glazing of the side and the roof remained from the promising concept.

In general, Roomster is another exercise on the topic of a roomy salon with rather modest external dimensions. Although the length of the car is 4205 mm like an average C-class hatchback. It is not surprising that Roomster (by the way, built on the basis of Fabia) surpasses competitors (for example, Opel Meriva) in terms of indicators such as the legs for the legs of the front and rear passengers. After all, it is 150 mm longer, and takes a position between high hatchbacks of the Ford Fusion type and minivans on C-class platforms.

I must admit that outwardly the car turned out very pretty, disposal. The glass of the driver's door, thanks to the dark racks, is outwardly connected into a single whole with the front line. The philosophy of the living room divided the interior space into two driver and passenger compartments. A high roof and huge side windows in the back of the body clearly indicate a zone for passengers and baggage.

The compartment, of course, is transformable. In the back seat you can stretch your legs thanks to the Varioflex system: chairs (except for a place in the center) move along about 70 mm. The backs of the rear seats are adjusted along the angle of inclination. In addition, the back of the middle (cut) place can be folded by turning it into a functional table for two.

Roomster Purebred German in ergonomics. Once for the first time in the car at dusk, I tried to find everything to the touch, intentionally not including light. Thanks to the five -year experience of communication with German cars, this was easily done.

There is a choice between a high and sports landing. Even with a fully raised pillow of the front chair above the head of a medium -sized driver, a decent supply of space remains (car height 1607 mm). The only claim here is inconveniently located the driver's seat belt. We have to look for him somewhere behind, and then a massive armrest interferes. At first, the review is fascinated at first, but then you understand that the rear racks still interfere, and the optional parking sensors are very useful.

On the course of Roomster with the most powerful (105 hp) gasoline engine 1.6 liters and 5-speed mechanics resembles VW Golf (it has a similar back suspension). The settings of the chassis are quite tough. But the car is controlled confidently, easy. The gearbox lever was struck: the child can switch the child so little effort. Despite the feeling that the lever lives in a downy feather bed, the switching is very clear. Sound insulation is generally worthy. Only the engine roar was surprised after 3000 rpm. On Golf with a similar power unit, nothing of the kind was observed.

Even with the most shifted back seats of the second row, volume

the luggage compartment is about 450 liters, and with the chairs removed, it reaches 1780 liters. However, for capacity I immediately had to pay dirty trousers. For the sake of increasing the volume of the gender, the trunk was lowered by 150 mm relative to the loading height: it is necessary to bend strongly. Therefore, it is not easy to get even a small package of food, not staining on the bumper.

In general, the hostility of a small Roomster inspires respect. So, the width of the opening of the fifth door is about 1000 mm below and 900 mm in the upper part. The maximum height from floor to ceiling is also about a meter and 850 mm from the upper edge of the bumper. The distance from the fifth door to the back of the front seat changes from 1600 to 1800 mm with the chair completely moved forward. The rigid shelf of the trunk can be installed in 350 or 600 mm from the floor.

In addition, there are four metal brackets, six hooks and three elastic harnesses with hooks at the ends, stretching from the backs of the seats of the second row. The only problem for obtaining an even floor will have to be removed from the car, in folded form they will create a decent podium 250 mm high.

The rear row is removed easily each chair separately. The mounting system resembles ISOFIX for children's seats. In front, fasteners are bite to eat a metal pipe, behind the P-shaped brackets. Having removed one seat, on a special rod in the trunk, you can attach a full -size bicycle, without the front wheel. And the removed chair will have to be left at home or in the garage.

Skoda Roomster is offered with three gasoline engines 1.2 l (65 hp), 1.4 l (87 hp), 1.6 l (105 hp) and 1.9 l (105 diesel (105 L.S.). The car is sold by dealers in the trim levels: Base, Comfort and Sport. The price for the most affordable BASE option with a motor (1.2 l) is $ 15,490. A car in the Comfort or Sport configuration with a 1.4 liter engine and manual transmission costs from $ 19,290.