Test Drive Chevrolet Epica since 2006 Sedan

Not our pride

A business class sedan can also be ... unassuming, albeit good.
Probably such a Volga could be, with notes regretted someone from colleagues. Agreeing, we sighed together, digesting the first impressions of the American car. But indeed, this Chevrolet is a good option for officials, representatives of medium-sized businesses that have not saved on Audi or Mercedes. Yes, and in Taxi, the epic would look no worse than the trade winds and a vector appearing on the Moscow streets.

Six in row
In fact, Chevrolet-Epic Class D sedan. Its creators do not hide: they sought to create a big and comfortable car for those who are forty. This means, at the head of the corner of comfort, high level of equipment, solid appearance, stable behavior on the road and the maximum practicality of the interior. No problems in the form of joysticks, interfaces and other manifestations of so fashionable electronics.

Row six-cylinder engines 2.0 and 2.5 liters are mounted transversely, because the epic front-wheel drive machine. Such engines are perfectly balanced, which means a decrease in vibrations and improve comfort. In short, there is something to see and what to try, especially since the two transmissions are offered to two engines and two automatic gearboxes.

Economy Express
So-so! Something all this is very reminded! Neat, but uncomplicated interior, unreasonably large, massive ram. It seems to be intelligible, live devices. But nearby, in the very center of the front panel, a stupid screen, clogged with numbers, and in the load to them also and the compass cryptogram. I want to fall asleep more, bring the rock and roller, to add mandatory jackets on the panel and go somewhere, say, in the northeast of the states ...

Of course, the epics is almost a classic, inexpensive American. Almost because the box pumped up: I consciously chose a complete set of 2 l and mechanics for large sedans. It is so easier to feel the nature of the motor. He loves turnover, while there is no pronounced aggression in it, the box lever is longer, and the gear ratios are too stretched. However, the epic allows you to choose a calm and at the same time quite dynamic driving style. This is especially noticeable on the highway, where Chevrolet, smoothly swaying, is ready to easily absorb any distances. From communication with the car you are not tired. Although, if you really make it very picky, you can prepare to be too transparent for this class of the humor, good, but uninteresting handling.

Chevrolet-Epic with the same engine 2.0 l, but explicitly budget automaton brought the first splash of emotions. The car seemed to be added in weight, turning into a heavy, boring creation, extremely lazily responding to the driver team. A sharp press on the accelerator, and the hydromechanical transmission is thinking for a long time. Then there is a sharp, rattle roar of the motor, but the car is still not going, as if thinking about the deed. And only then, come back, jerk rushing forward. Yes, this option is suitable only for a very calm ride.

With a regular change of cars, it worries me not so much a powerful 156-strong 2.5 liter engine.

More interesting, whether the epics will return a cheerful character, to acquire other, at first glance, more perfect (with the possibility of manual switching) with a machine gun. Yes, everything fell into place: the car is again dynamic and convenient. With such a power unit, the epic has become lightweight, even emotional. Not a sports projectile, of course, but not a low barge. I note that the most powerful version of the noisy at high speed.

For your money
The predecessors of Chevrolet Epic in Europe were DEU-Leganza and Evanda (first under the Korean brand, then under the name Chevrolet). The main competitors of the epics in Russia are the same business middling, purebred Koreans: Höndai-NF and Kia-Madzhentis. What a car is more comfortable, more comfortable, more convenient, it will be possible to assert only after a full-time comparison. Among the trumps of Epiki, in addition to novelty, Kaliningrad assembly and, accordingly, quite attractive for cars of this class price: $ 22 99030 040.

Prior to their own security
Like most modern cars, Chevrolet-Epic will seriously take care of the health of the driver and passengers. Front and side pillows, inflatable curtains, belts pretensioners, special attachment points for children's seats

There is one interesting element designed for countries where there is no strict rules for the use of seat belts, protecting the driver's knees. Under the steering wheel is a special platform filled with power absorbing foam. Tests with unusual mannequins showed a decrease in the risk of hips injuries by 30% and the chest 10% in a collision with an obstacle at a speed of 40 km / h.

Great, of course, but fasten everything is more reliable

Be such a Volga, we could be proud of the domestic car industry. Good, spacious, well-equipped, but without bright features, the epics perceive calmly. Although these qualities have a lot for respect ...
 
 

Sergey Voskresensky
 

A source: Journal "Behind the wheel"