Test drive Chevrolet Viva 2004 - 2008 sedan

The name obliges

This is similar to harvesting: in the fall, both domestic and foreign automobile companies show the fruits of their work. Perhaps the richest bins this year with a joint venture by Ji-Em-Autsovaz: In one issue of the magazine, we talk about two premieres at once!
On September 23, the production of the Viva Chevrolet model started in Togliatti. The car, in all likelihood, will play a very noticeable role in the market by the way, the editors acquire one of the first commodity machines, so readers will be in detail about how Viva behaves. She will visit the training ground, recount kilometers in long run, the program will visit the service stations very rich.
We will begin to fulfill it very soon, and in the first material we traditionally give the word to the designer: the Russian Chevrolet is represented by the manager for the current production of the JEM-Avovaz joint venture.
Why Astra?
As a foreign company, specifically giant General Motors to choose a car for production in Russia? It is clear that it is necessary, firstly, from local conditions, read the preferences of customers. Secondly, rely on an existing lineup, so as not to create a car from scratch. Finally, take into account the existing production capacities (Togliatti joint venture, where Chevrolet Niva is already making).
With the first, the domestic market is more or less clear to absorb a considerable number of cars, if only they are accessible and reliable: most dreams of an inexpensive foreign car. Marketing studies show that the most demand awaits C-class sedans. Of all the models that are produced by numerous companies included in the ji-um, perhaps the best candidate Opel Astra. A modern, not too expensive European car; However, why only European? Astra production has been established, for example, in South America, Australia, not to mention Poland. Again, in Germany, a new generation of Astra has been launched by some equipment from under the old machine.
To finish with production issues, let's look at Togliatti, at the workshops of the Ji-Em-Autsovaz enterprise. There they are going to release Chevrolet Niva with a 1.8-liter Opel engine here is the technological community of two models. So, it was decided in Russia will be assembled a car based on Opel-Astra of the generation of 19982003 (the so-called T-3000 platform). Such German assemblies were sold well in Russia, experience has been accumulated on them, there are data from marketers in general, the path is open.
What is Viva?
However, it would be wrong to transfer the aster in its pure form. It is necessary to adapt the car to Russian roads very welcome to the local experience of operating Opel. And of course, to endow the distinctive features of the brand, after all, the joint venture releases Chevrolet, and not! In addition, to choose a motor, transmission, complete set ... This work was carried out together with the Opel engineering center in Rüsselsheim, unlike the field, by which we cooperate with the vase. Actually, in the case of Viva, the copyright holder is a German company, therefore, any changes in the design are agreed with our foreign partner.
Of the visible changes in appearance, compared to the asters, a new grille of the radiator, nameplate and the rear reflector. The issue of the original hood and the front bumper is being worked out (at the time of preparation of the article it has not yet been finalized by the ed.). These small strokes managed to refresh the appearance of the machine, make the stylistics of the Chevrolet and, which is especially important for us, are fields: both cars of the production of the joint venture are endowed with family features.
Under the hood of Viva, a gasoline engine with a volume of 1.8 liters of the Ecootex family is installed. However, we adhere to a different designation FAM1. The fact is that the proprietary specification motor is attributed to the first Family 1 family.
The 125-horsepower engine was chosen both for unification of unification with the Niva, and according to the recommendations of marketers. A rather powerful unit, we believe, will strengthen the market interest in our Viva. By the way, it fulfills the norms of Euro IV and is able to work on gasoline with an octane number from 91.
Here, in the engine compartment, the distinctive features of the Russian package used on the Astrakh sold in our country are noticeable. This is, for example, a battery of a capacity increased to 62 A. F.
The transmission has not undergone changes, and therefore we will immediately move on to the suspension. The Russian package from Astra is also used here, the characteristics of the nodes are changed to Russian conditions. By the way, at one time, the VAZ helped to test the German car in Russia to adapt it to our conditions. Fundamentally, the suspensions of Astra, German and Russian, and Viva do not differ. Machines for us outwardly stand out only with a large road clearance.
If Astra had versions on 14-inch wheels, then they put Viva only on 15-inch. The same applies to ABS all chevrolets are equipped with an anti -lock system. In the list of standard equipment, the steering wheel amplifier, the central castle, immobilizer; The manufacturer also takes on radio training.
Some changes have undergone the interior. To emphasize the continuity with the Niva, we changed the material and coloring of the seats by choosing the same gamut as for all -wheel drive machines. Again, it was a little refreshing the rather stiff interior of Astra. It is curious that Russian materials were carefully checked by Olesham, and the choice of color completely entrusted us.
For Viva, two levels of configuration L and GLS are provided (see table).
MADE IN RUSSIA
The first 24 cars in Togliatti will be collected in bodies that will cooked Opel at the Polish factory. Already this year, the joint venture launches its own welding workshop, in further plans, stamping. From the very beginning, Viva will be painted with us by the way, the color scheme is the same as for Niva. We conduct the assembly on the same conveyor, that is, some separate production (and staff!) The new model will not require. This year, the joint venture will produce several hundred cars, and by 2006 we are ready to reach the full power planned at 17 thousand chevrolet-viva annually. It is possible that later options for Viva will appear with other motors, in other bodies ...
There is a production localization program, but our goal is not to introduce Russian products at all costs: it is important to produce a high -quality car. All domestic components, before getting to the conveyor of the joint venture, will undergo a rigid test, not only with us, but also in the technical center in Germany. In the first cars, only fabric upholstery of seats and door inserts will be Russian. We hope that very soon we will be able to use seats collected in Nizhny Novgorod according to the Opel documentation. Next, obviously, the turn of the wheels, tires, batteries will come.
GOOD LUCK!
I understand that the main question that the consumer is asked, how much will it cost? The article is being prepared in early September, and today, observing the strict business rules, we have no right to call the price. We can only say that we set ourselves the task of presenting a car that would go on sale at a price less than the Vsevolozhsk Ford Focus. And this problem is solved.
How was the name born? Chevrolet-Viva was conceived and named at the Ji-Em-Autsovaz joint venture: firstly, this is consonant with the already produced model and emphasizes the unity of our model range. Secondly, Viva sounds like Vivat!, That is, cheers! Or Long live!, And this is a very good wish for the new model. We hope she will justify her name.
 

 



Sergey Zakharchenko, Ji-Em-Autsovaz. Photo: George Sadkov

Source: The magazine "Driving"