CHEVROLET SPARK test drive since 2010 hatchback
Klonyashki
The sidewalks had little space. You can even say, very little. One car could park easily, but we were on two! And otherwise, one of us would have to go around the quarter-other in search of parking. However, this time it was possible to avoid difficulties: we easily squeezed into a narrow space together and could even shelter the third. If he, of course, drove by car similar dimensions.
PEUGEOT 107.
One more three years ago, the lion's share of cars sold from us (that domestic, that foreign) belonged to the golf class. But then two trends began to emerge simultaneously. First, the golf class began to grow in size, and as a result, almost all products of the Volga auto plant moved to class B, significantly increasing its sales statistics.
And secondly, compacts began to enjoy popular.
However, a compact compact retrieve. For example, those cars that we decided to compare are not just modest, but very modest dimensions. And interest in such cars is still not so great as the giants of four meters in length, although in the road stream the first noticeable no less than even character-shaped monsters are notable.
Nothing amazing, of course, in such a neglect. Here as with apartments: great because it is better small, although the latter can be their advantages: cleaning less and rent more modest.
In the case of machines, advantages also lie on the surface. A small car is usually more economical, cheaper (by price and maintenance), maneuverin in a limited space, more convenient when parking and and and
Something nothing comes to mind. We must ride: maybe then other advantages will be delayed?
Outside Any compact looks somewhat unusual if only because the usual eye car proportions are broken here and the analogues are easier to find among the toys that made our car park in childhood. Maybe therefore, even serious men, do these cars cause a smile?
One hundred seventh peugeot struggles to keep family traits. The only one of the three twins (Peugeot 107, Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1), supplied to Russia, he meets us a wide smile of a radiator lattice, diagonal elongated headlights and no less than that of other Peugeot, chrome lion.
We also note high windshield, large rear lights, almost completely absent among colleagues-classmates Swees and gas tank hatch, whose cover has a common face with the rear door. Here is a small size illustration.
Prices
Empty 107th costs 299,000 rubles. For a three-door version and 307,000 for five-door. However, the emptiness of it is relative: ABS, EBD, two airbags, immobilizer, audio preparation and information display is already in the database. Versions with a central lock, front windows, folding rear seat, electric power steering and adjusting it in height, respectively, 324,000 and 332,000 rubles. Finally, cars with automatic 2-TRONIC are estimated at 347,000 and 355,000 rubles.
Inside Is it possible to squeeze into a strongly singled car all those devices and buttons with which the ordinary city sedan is shot? No harmful for ergonomics, there is still no, rightfully decided in Peugeot, having deprived a car any familiar combination of the main elements on the dashboard and the center console.
Running speedometer with an information display (with odometer and fuel level), busy control keys to control the oven-air conditioning and a hole under the radio with a shelf and everything!
True, a tachometer, for example, can be ordered additionally, and it will be installed on a special leg above the speedometer, but it will not make the situation in the cabin more familiar. Toy appearance perfectly complements the same incredible interior.
The seats are relatively tough, but comfortable. The same can be said about the steering wheel, which, besides, in the version of the electric detector given to us on the test.
The quality of the assembly did not cause complaints: plastic here is frankly cheap, but all panels are fitted for conscience, the gaps are small, and we did not hear foreign squeaks on the road. And the doors are closed straight with the representative smart.
In move
To be in the car without an electric amplifier and without air conditioning, yes on a 30-degree heat ... then even pleasure! Therefore, we open through the windows and try to accelerate, to blow on at least warm air.
The first meters of the 107th drives unexpectedly Boyko: thanks to the long first gear. It is in these seconds that we tear away from the competitor. Yes, and in the future, Peugeot is enough, especially since I don't want to demand a lot.
The main thing is to promote the engine and do not move ahead of time on the increased: 4 000-4 500 rpm is quite normal.
Justs the engine noise, penetrating the cabin even at idle. Noise isolation here is also compact.
Peugeot suspension is quite comfortable: energy-intensive and not too tough. Thanks to this, asphalt irregularities are not tightened. But in the turn of the 107th, forced to recover: despite the presence in the basic configuration of the braking control system in turning the CSC, the car, slimming, suddenly began to move from the trajectory. As a result, we lost Chevrolet on the curves.
TOTAL
Even such a small peugeot may well be the desired car, especially for the representatives of the fine floor. The main thing is not to save on the air conditioner and the electric power, although with them the price of the car will bite much more significant.
Chevrolet Spark. Outside
The rat asks the guinea pig, why the life of that is better.
She, like, the same rat: It looks the same, eats the same food, as sleeps, the same smells ... The guinea pig answers: I have a better PR!. The same can answer Spark to his conifer Daewoo Matiz: American-Korean brand is much more prestigious Korean-Uzbek tandem. But the prototype is not embarrassing its own image: sales of Matiza go a few times better and appearance here.
Modern? Fashionable? Unlikely. Miracle did not happen: Matiz Repair did not reveal the Mira masterpiece. Elegant headlights and orange strips of turn signals did not make a look spark expressive, but together with a big plus allow you to easily understand who is who and not to be confused with clones (Matiz also served as a sample for Chinese Chery QQ).
High and narrow, it seems to be simply created for the urban torn stream, and the road clearance and competent layout of the bottom allow Matiz easily to ride a fairly deep holes and codbins of broken country roads. Verified in kolomyagakh
Inside Unlike a competitor, here the instrument panel is still located in the center. And through the knives of the steering wheel, looks a much less important information scoreboard with indicators of unclosed belts, low fuel and parking brake ... It looks strange: in a normal situation it is just a dark spot.
The center console fuel gauge, a speedometer and a tachometer, odometer and clock. The test version has an optional radio: the sound of a not terribly, but where there is to know about traffic jams Another pleasant surprise air conditioning (especially in the 30-degree heat). Look at this fellow devoid of options in the 107th was sad.
The seats are soft, cheerful in the bright blue pattern. Profile can not be called anatomical, but also back pain not complain. Did not like the PPC: the inclusion of transmission is not clear, and the rear speed sometimes stuck with only the use of force.
A steering wheel is very, very good. The simple, slim, with a big heart, it is equipped with an amplifier, making it an order of magnitude more comfortable steering in Peugeot. However, some cotton in the zero position, but, nevertheless, it is understandable and predictable effort.
But in general: plastic hard, build good: not only undisguised delight bolts and screws in the door.
Prices Spark versions very much. Prices for the car start at 242,460 rubles. For the money you can buy a car with tachometer and 0.8-liter 51-horsepower engine. Version of the airbag is from 251 910 rub., With ABS from 264 870 to 287 010 rubles conditioned. A car with a more modest engine and automatically evaluated at least 321,435 rubles., The minimum price of liter Spark c mechanics is 319 815 rubles.
In move
Pedal to the floor, and alas! colleagues point the finger at me a couple of races in the comparative acceleration showed that Peugeot accelerates faster.
Spark engine is enough: especially after 3800 rev / min, when the reception is particularly strong. However, in a sports car does not pull. In many respects it is a merit transmission during the transition to a higher motor shuts up, and turns to go effective in a lower range.
Transmission could be switched on and pochetche and back just to be more often. Motor running noisier than Peugeot.
Machine strongly heels, but turns. Long-travel suspension has good energy intensity. Small and medium-sized bumps are swallowed almost without noise and vibration. Even the build quality is noteworthy: no crickets!
The brakes are powerful and but 800-pound Spark enough for ambition.
TOTAL
If it were not for the twins, he could become the undisputed leader in its segment. Decent equipment and build quality at a reasonable price to successfully compensate for the absence of even the rocks, which boasts a European supermini.
Cars are provided by Atlant-M Lakhta, the official GM dealer and auto-formum, the official Skoda dealer
Text: Alexander Korobchenko, Philip Berezen
Photo: Roman Stunnin
A source: Magazine "Wheels" [№119 / 2007]
