Test Drive Chevrolet Lacetti Sedan since 2004 Sedan

Middle at half

Nissan Almera.
The last generation of Almera debuted in February 2000. Produced with 3- and 5-door hatchbacks and sedan.
Engines: gasoline 1.51.8 l (98116 l. P.).
Transmission: Mechanical 5-speed,
4-speed automaton (1.8 l).
Required: Comfort, Luxury.
Price in Russia: $ 15 650 21 610.

Chevrolet Lacetti.
GM Dat (GM Daewoo Auto and Technology) is available. In Russia, Latzetti with hatchback bodies, sedan and station wagon are sold under the Chevrolet brand name.
Engines: gasoline 1.41.8 l (94122 l.).
Transmission: Mechanical 5-speed, 4-speed automaton (1.6 1.8 L).
Feedback: SE, SX, CDX.
Price in Russia: $ 13,800 19,050.

Japanese or Korean? The consumer asks itself more and more. A few years ago, such doubts would seem to be blasphemous. Is it possible to compare! Today, the Japanese are biting elbows: they armed the neighbors technologically for their heads technologically, they taught building commotary cars and at the same time inexpensive.
We will select a couple of such middling. And let them not take offense at this title, because behind him is not only social status, but also orientation on the mass consumer. A reasons for the market came out a whole pack of DEU masking under the Chevrolet brand name. Among them there are fairly interesting novelties of quite European outdoor at an attractive price. And the middle class of customers is exactly the first and takes into account.
The American-Italian conservation Chevrolet Latzetti sounds intriguing. And the hatchback itself looks vigorously and attractive: a stylish profile, a spectacular back. He would have adding aggressiveness a little bit and hold on, competitors.
The partner tested by time and warmed by the consumer sympathies of the Nissan-Almer. It seems that the energetic and fashionable newcomer can easily put it on both blades. Let's not hurry with conclusions.
As often happens, the perfect pair did not work. Hatchback Nissan-Almera decided to seriously demonstrate the force, watched supporting not only the most expensive configuration, but also the motor is 1.8 liters in a pair with a machine gun. Chevrolet Latzetti is significantly cheaper, more modest in energy-relatedness. But, it seems that the modern unit (1.6 liters, 109 l. With the mechanics) will still be a 116-strong competition with automatic transmission. And then, the almer is more modest, and Latzetti is more expensive.
According to love and by calculation
Who said that Nissan-almer is outdated? Of course, it took a little over a few years, but in the option of the hatchback it is still nothing. Light, movable, dynamic silhouette, verified proportions. Maybe he loses in the sizes of the recent generation, but not in design.
Inside the classic Japanese. At first, in this combination of gray and black look, nothing to cling to. For those moments while I try to remember when I was last traveled to Almere, the car turns into an old friend. On the rights of the owner, it allows me to pressent more comfortable, boasts an expensive complete set: relief, skin-skinned by leather, climate attitude and a huge information display. By car, we would be satisfied with the air conditioner, an ordinary radio tape recorder and three microclimate controls.
So-so: although the landing is convenient, it is felt that the range of longitudinal adjustment of the seat is selected. The rising here will be closed. A little archaic selector boxes: as if in contrast to the latest reference, it offers a traditional scheme with an overdrive button. A combination of devices looks somewhat stretched. No, it, of course, is read by canceled, but the speedometer and the tachometer are separated. Otherwise, the maximum of rationality and convenience.
In the back seat, alas, closely. It would seem that the places here are quite enough for two, also with a margin. But the knees rest in the back of the sitting front, and the thought of a long journey does not inspire.
Chevrolet Latzetti seems to be listened to our dialogue with almer. Say, my appearance is attractive, but it is still half. Even in this, medium in terms of the equipment of the SX configuration, I am ready to argue with the Japanese. Skin-skinned steering wheel and lever gearbox, air conditioning, power windows and mirrors and seats! Well, try to pressent back. Spent difference? It is unlikely that you will object that the places, especially for the legs, here are more, and the passengers are more convenient.
But I have thinly chosen at the driver's seat: the seat is moved to the stop, but something is wrong. The back will not find the right position in any way, and by accepting it, suddenly falls into the invisible fossa and everyone has to start first. A grapple steering wheel is clearly elegant in diameter, from this compact and pretty combination of devices seems disproportionately small. The powerful windshield stand (passive safety tribute) clearly interferes with visibility. Some light shade of incompleteness is present in this car. The gearbox lever will move further than you need, its movement and clarity leaves much to be desired. Clutch pedal for some reason makes the leg get out. I remember such inconvenience I once experienced at Nexia
In a word, appreciating all the internal advantages of Latzetti, in his sympathies I tend to a more thoughtful (albeit dear) Japanese (by the way, designed and manufactured in Europe!).
Rides, does not go
Interestingly, but even having drove a few hundred kilometers on Almere, you think for a long time: what would I find fault? It hurts, kindly on the go. This solid good one. Yes, noisy and stiff with the passage of small irregularities, the brake pedal requires the jewelry handling. But in general, everything is not bad, and most importantly honestly. Engine and machine interact perfectly. Only with the Trokhan need to be more inactive with the accelerator, avoiding the jerk and slip the leading wheels. With the rest of the relaxation of responses, fast and soft switching, good balance of the car in terms of noise and vibrations.
The suspension does not demonstrate anything supernatural, in managing no sharpness. But the fact that Nissan can, he performs easily and easily. Even if you overestimated his capabilities somewhere, he will warn on time. The car does not promise more and requires that it adapt to it.
Chevrolet Latzetti turned out to be a badist. His rather brisk motor and mechanic easily oppose Almere. The engine here is a clockwork, with a noticeable pickup after 3000 rpm. However, there is a bowl of tar stretched transmission. If you get the motor from the heart everything is great. But it is worth dropping the tachometer arrow below the three thousandth mark, Latzetti begins to miss, losing his bright temper. The fact that he is easier to Nissan, noticeably primarily on acoustic comfort. Already a starter sound, you are already alened. And the engine noise is well distinguished in the cabin already with 25003000 rpm.
The adjusted suspension settings are peculiar here. As if in opponent's opponent, Latzetti canceled small irregularities, not afraid of deep holes. But at speed suddenly becomes hard and jumping, as if the rubber ball. It would seem that I just drove here on Almere, without thinking about what was under the wheels. And this one constantly shifts on gentle waves, diligently repeating their profile. At 110120 km / h endless shocks begin to tire. But it is worth it to appear to be real Colds, as pendants remember their appointment, again shutting up on a flat road.
Their nature was reflected in manageability. Against the background of the opponent of Latzetti cut, even sports. But in rapid devias suddenly there are solid rolls and even a small routine of the body. And although the car is managed reliably, all this affects the accuracy of its reactions.
Time to think about what preferred? Perhaps the verdict is not in favor of Korean with the American-Italian name. With all the brightness of its individual driving properties, a competitor Nissan-almery looks smooth and therefore preferable.

SUMMARY
Nissan Almera is a comfortable, practical rationalist. Solid good is almost in all.
+ Functional interior, balanced driving abilities, a comfortable trunk.
- Tesne for rear passengers, necrophoresten on small irregularities.

SUMMARY
Chevrolet Lacetti is interesting in separate nominations. But in general, from the novice is waiting for more.
+ Modern European appearance, good basic facilities, convenient for rear passengers.
- shortcomings in the workplace ergonomics, mediocre acoustic comfort.
 
 

 

 

Sergey Voskresensky
Photo: George Sadkov

A source: Journal "Behind the wheel"