Test Drive Chrysler Voyager 2000 - 2003

Caravan-srates

These machines were initially addressed primarily to people leading an active lifestyle, traveling throughout the family, country picnics, trips to the country, but you never know what else ...

The layer of such consumers is just beginning to be formed, and minivans are often purchased for official use. But interest in these cars from chapters of families and households (wives, children, grandparents, etc.) is already waking up, and therefore it is time to get acquainted with minivans closer. And in order to draw up a more accurate idea of \u200b\u200bwhat such cars are capable of, we picked up three completely unlike, relating to different weight categories of the model.
Question may arise: how did Renault Megane Scenic come to this company? And by how general criteria do the car be attributed to the category of minservants? In our opinion, the machines of this type are combined with three common features of one-vocabulary or half-door layout, more vertical, compared with cars, landing the driver and passengers, as well as the rich possibility of transformation of the cabin.
The Trinity selected by us just meets all these qualities.
Renault Megane Scenic
Aesthetics
The elegance and extravagant of these, perhaps, the two main distinguishing features, characteristic of French design, is just fully inherent in Renault Megane Scenic. The stylists of the corporate center managed to give the car a completely original and unusual appearance. And at the same time Scenic leaves no doubt as to their belonging to a large and close-knit family Renault Megane. This is achieved through the use of a single style of solutions and some common elements, such as taillights.
In general, the car was a success, especially considering that its creators had to go stride by the time the analogue in Scenica was not.
Deserved 10 points!
Overall rating structure
Megane Scenic Mechanical Stuffing is performed at a good modern level, although without special technical delights. An inline four-cylinder engine with a working volume of 2 liters is transversely installed in the front and tilted back. To comply with EURO 96 emissions, the motor is equipped with a distributed fuel injection and a catalytic neutralizer, and the gas distribution system applied on it with one camshaft and two valves on the cylinder is still often found on French cars.
On Scenic install either a mechanical five-speed box or a four-step automatic. Front suspension Traditional MacPherson, but the back is done on the torsion, with which they are not often encountered. Due to this, it was possible to increase the already considerable volume of the luggage compartment. The ABS system is included in the list of options (on a test car it was installed), in front of the ventilated discs, and the rear of the drums. Since the mass of the loaded Scenic can reach 1900 kg, the disc brakes would be more appropriate, especially since they are in the MEGANE family arsenal they are equipped with charged versions of the coupe and cabriolet. Given this, the technical perfection of Megane Scenic can be estimated at 7 points.
Suitability to Russian conditions
Renault Megane Scenic supplied to our market is appropriately adapted to the domestic specificity already at the factory. The so-called Russian package includes body galvanizing, plastic shoes in wheel arches, increased up to 15 cm clearance, adaptation to gasoline with octane number 92, and filters and gaskets used in aggregates are selected taking into account local climate. Unconditional advantages should also be attributed to the protection of the palter pallet, and the full-size spare place placed in the trunk under the floor, and the gas tank troughting system is locked by the central lock system. It turns out that Scenic is ready to meet surprises of Russian operation. For this he gets another 10 points.
Comfort in Salon
The car that has visited our hands was equipped with air conditioning, an electric appliance of outer mirrors and glass of all doors, a trip-computer, a central lock with remote control, built into the ignition key, immobilizer and security alarms. In addition, it has a driver's airbag, a power steering, fog lights and an audio preparation is made.
In addition to the listed equipment, the convenience of passengers is also well-thought out to the smallest internal salon atmosphere. Here you can find a truly countless different compartments and offices, where it is easy to fold everything that will be needed. In addition to the traditional glover on the front panel there is a nominating box under the driver's seat, three capacities in the floor, and two in the side troughs of the trunk, as well as almost with a dozen pockets of different sizes scattered throughout the cabin. In the backrest of the front seats, folding tables are built, and the shelf covers luggage, there are two positions in height ...
All this could be listed for a very long time, so we decided to simply give Megane Scenic 9 points. (One score stayed in stock. Just because it happens even better.)
Ergonomics
The driver's seat has manual settings, with which you can change the position of the pillow in length and height, the tilt of the backrest and the sub-line in the lower back area. The angle of inclination of the steering column is also changing, and the head restraints move in two directions. All adjustments have a sufficient range, so for the driver of any physique will not be difficult to choose the optimal landing.
There are no significant complaints about instrument information and the location of the controls. Well, except that the sound signal button is located on the French manner in the end of the left steering wheel switch. According to the habit, the first thing you click on the core of the steering wheel and only then you remember about a stupid button ...
A good oversight of the driver's seat suffers only because of massive windshield racks left sometimes interferes quite strongly, especially in turns. But with this, alas, you have to put up on most such machines.
The comfort of the rear passengers was at the height. All the seats here can be moved independently from each other back and forth, and the extremes also have two positions of the back of the back can be thrown into it a bit. To sit in the threesome, do not push the shoulders, just dilute the seat in length, for example, to promote the average. By the way, it is noticeably smaller in width and is designed, apparently, on the child. If it is dismantled, then the extreme chairs can be moved closer to the middle, and then the level of comfort will be no worse than in some limousine. For all other options for transformation of the cabin, you need to either fold, or completely dismantle any back seat. Or all at once. In the latter case, the trunk almost doubles its useful area, which is so impressive, especially if you remember that the length of the car is only slightly exceeding 4 meters.
Taking into account the size of the car, the ergonomic indicators deserve estimates 9 points.
Safety
As already mentioned, our Scenic is equipped with a safety cushion for the driver. In addition, help passengers in a difficult minute are ready security belts with sampling and effort limiters. By the way, on all five seats there are adjustable headrests, and the belts have a three-point mount and inertial coils. And although the front passenger cushion enters the list of options, the security level can be estimated as very high. Total 8 points.
Dynamics
The power of the two-liter engine is enough to confidently feel behind the wheel of Renault Megane Scenic. One hundred fifteen horses accelerate the car until hundreds of slightly more than 11 seconds. The gearbox in French is stretched, but moderate is not so so that it is already annoyed. In addition, the decent thrust of the engine on the bottom allows when overclocking it is pretty early to move to the next transmission, which will still mask the character of the box.
With a more active ride, the engine becomes pretty olistry somewhere after 4000 rpm. True, by this time it is already possible to switch to increased transmission the rate of a set of speed from this is not too injured. Manipulate the lever gears with a grapted handle, short moves and excellent clarity of inclusion turned out to be very convenient. The brake pedal is also good, the effort on which is chosen ideally and provide excellent feedback. The efficiency of the brakes is quite sufficient, but the imagination does not affect. 8 points.
Challenges
The behavior of the car in motion and its handling simply conquered. The suspension setting is close to optimal. (Perhaps here just an adaptation to the Russian conditions has been affected.) Energote intensive, but not a tough suspension without excess noise swallows the flaws of the road surface. It was possible to avoid and unnecessary swing, and excessive shame. It seems that the car just clung to the road. The turns pass, as on the rails, so you might think that you are in the usual passenger car. And only increased rolls resemble a high center of gravity.
Steering also leaves nothing inacked. Excellent feedback and practically complete lack of delay on the steering action turn riding in pleasure .9 points.
RENAULT MEGANE SCENIC RXE
Number of places and doors 5/5
Engine operating volume, cm3 1998
Power, hp 115.
at rpm 5400
Torque, nm 168
at rpm 4250
Octane number of gasoline 92
Number of gear 5.
Tire size 185/70R14
Wheel base, mm 2580
Wheel Pig, mm: Front 1450
rear 1485.
Road clearance, mm 150
Length, mm 4134
Width, mm 1719
Height, mm 1600
Trunk volume, l 410/1800
Fuel tank volume, l 60
Curb weight, kg 1345
Maximum speed, km / h 185
Overclocking time up to 100 km / h, from 11.1
Fuel consumption, l / 100 km:
in the city of 10.7
at a speed of 90 km / h 6.7
at a speed of 120 km / h 8.9
Retail price, $ 24,500
 
Peugeot 806.
Aesthetics
It looks 806, somehow very utilitarian, beautiful, but still a bus. The reason for this lies on the surface, because PEUGEOT 806 is collected at a joint venture, from the conveyor of which similar to it like two drops of water Citroen Evasion, Fiat Ulysse and Lancia Zeta. The differences between all machines are reduced mainly to the details of the design. So the fantasy of designers was not to raise to preserve the recognition. The last they succeeded, so for the appearance of 7 points.
Overall rating structure
Used in the development of design solutions are largely echoing with those on Renault Megane Scenic. In machines, the same layout with a transverse arrangement of a row four-cylinder engine, which also has two valves on a cylinder and distributed injection. True, with the exactly the same working volume of returns from the engine Peugeot more than 10 hp
And the principal difference is that on the 806th, they establish exclusively mechanical five-speed gearboxes, and there are springs in the rear suspension. In all the rest, the complete analogy of the front suspension MacPherson, the brakes in front of the disc, rear of the drum, but ABS already basic configuration. Accordingly, the assessment of the same 7 points.
Suitability to Russian conditions
Adaptation to the conditions of Eastern Europe, which is calculated by Peugeot 806, is not exactly the same as the Russian package. From what makes it easier for a car. Life on our roads there are only fenders in the front wheels niches. And all! The reserve hangs from behind under the bottom, and the fastening of it is such that only the magician can be repaid when the wheel is replaced. Out of points 7, no more.
Comfort in Salon
The SR version that has fallen to us is the simplest of the possible, and therefore does not have to Sibertism. There is an immobilizer, a driver's airbag, a power steering, front windows and a central lock with remote control, which is mounted in a very kind of folding ignition key.
Interestingly, there are only five individual seats in the basic performance, and the three-seater sofa standing with us is behind us, it turns out that additional equipment for which you need to pay extra.
The next level of configuration includes also electrical drives of exterior mirrors, rear windows and glasses in medium doors (the fact that they are also lowered in the sliding doors). Fog lights and velor's upholstery are added here. Air conditioning, audio system, headlight washer, heated seats and even trunk shelf All this is already custom equipment. From other options, it is worth mentioning two hatches with an electric drive, rotating front seats and the ability to order instead of a three-bed rear sofa separate chairs.
What else? The location under the missing radio is covered with a cap, which should mask the presence of equipment in the cabin. A pair of gloves is mounted in the front panel one standard, and the other at the site of the passenger airbag. The two closing compartments are in the sidewalls of the luggage compartment, and in all doors there are pockets. Moreover, in the sliding, they are very voluminous and supplemented with compartments in which it is convenient to put large plastic bottles with water.
Given the wide possibilities of choosing various equipment, in accordance with the needs of the customer, comfort deserves solid 8 points.
Ergonomics
A very high driver landing again causes bus associations. Nevertheless, it is very convenient and advances in visibility. By the way, the windshield racks are prevented here not very much. The front seats themselves have a pair of traditional adjustments and are distinguished by noticeable lateral support.
To free the passage between them, the designers went to certain tricks. The first gear lever placed on the front panel. It turned out, by the way, he turns out to be all the time at hand, and it is very convenient to use it. The second handman also moved to a new place, now it stands to the left of the driver's seat. With him, by the way, I got the story ...
Remember registered rotating seats? So, in case of their installation, the handbrake is made with one small nuance so that the chair is easily rotated, the lever can be lowered from the protracted position, leaving the parking brake involved. We were not aware of such subtleties, and when the lever had accidentally dropped, and the car remained inhibited, they decided that the handbrake was just jammed.
The case was outside the city. Car can not move by its move. What to do? Call evacuator? In short, the situation ... hence the conclusion so as not to get to write, read the instructions.
But back to our peugeot 806. Regarding the placement of the rear passengers, it is possible to notice only that with such sizes of the machine there will be no one else. But how the best enemy is good. If there is no third number, then the second seats can be added away back. Yes, it is also possible to remove the middle seat. The remaining slightly shift and we get just a royal comfort, sitting in front will only envy.
All overpayment options are difficult to list who is familiar with the combinatorics well. After all, each chair of the middle row can be folded or dismantled regardless of others. The same with the rear sofa or installed in the twin seats instead. Well, about the size of the cargo platform, freed, if you remove all the furniture from behind, it is probably even unnecessary to mention.
Summing everything, we get 9 points.
Safety
With any embodiment of the cabin and the number of passengers, all places are equipped with head restraints and seat belts. The front sedimons are adjustable in height, and in the two rear rows there is easily discrimination sitting from the edge using three-point belts, in the center there are only belt. An inflatable front passenger pillow needs to be highlighted when ordering. In general, security can be considered appropriate for today the norms and evaluate in 7 points.
Dynamics
By the speed of the speed of 100 km / h Peugeot 806, we compare with domestic front-wheel drive cars, which apparently should be considered an acceptable for the machine with such dimensions and weight. To whom it seems insufficient, it is worth thinking over the Peugeot 806 with a turbocharged engine, which develops 150 hp In this case, one hundred kilometers per hour is recruited in 11 seconds.
But the numbers are numbers, and on the subjective sensations of the 806th seems even more hilarious. In any case, in the urban stream, he behaves very confident, and you almost always feel the supply under the gas pedal. Therefore, probably, the dynamic ride on Peugeot 806 does not require excessive voltage. Well, and brakes that provide a good slowdown and allow it convenient to dose, only add confidence.
Honest 7 points.
Challenges
Good handling has always been a strong PEUGEOT car. Our ward, too, did not fight the honor of the family, showing everything that is capable of. And although the minivan is difficult to enroll in the category of Drivers Car, you feel that the car is ready to reliably perform all your teams. If you try to express your feelings in one word, most likely we would call Peugeot 806 obedient. This is probably its main feature. Everything else is secondary.
The suspension was slightly softer than I would like. Some irregularities appear a minor longitudinal squabble. Without the rest of what. Especially since the soft character of the suspension has a positive effect on the general comfort.
Another 8 points in the PEUGEOT 806 piggy bank.
Pegeot 806 Sr.
Number of places and doors 8/5
Engine operating volume, cm3 1998
Power, hp 125.
at rpm 5750
Torque, nm 170
at rpm 2650
Compression ratio 9.5
Octane number of gasoline 95
Number of gear 5.
Tire size 195/65R15
Wheel base, mm 2824
Ploot wheels, mm: front 1534
rear 1540.
Length, mm 4454
Width, mm 1834
Height, mm 1714
Fuel tank volume, l 80
Curb weight, kg 1510
Maximum speed, km / h 172
Overclocking time up to 100 km / h, from 13.8
Fuel consumption, l / 100 km: in the city of 12.5
at a speed of 90 km / h 7.7
at a speed of 120 km / h 9.5
Retail price, $ 31048
 
Chrysler Voyager awd.
Aesthetics
If the Italians are recognized in Europe in Europe, the Chrysler concern is performed in the American Big Troika. His designers are constantly surprised by the world with some unusual concepts-karas. As a last resort, we develop very stylish serial products. So when changing the generations of VOYAGERs, they again created a memorable image that caused a lot of imitations.
10 points.
Overall rating structure
Chrysler Voyager The largest of our Trinity is allocated in technical terms. First of all, this refers to the engine volume. Under the hood, Chryslera has a V-shaped six-liter six-liter. It is located transversely and has two valves on the cylinder, the lower arrangement of the camshaft and the multipoint fuel injection.
The transmission in this embodiment is installed only automatic four-stage, and the drive to all wheels in Chrysler Voyager AWD is permanent. He has an independent front suspension, and behind the restriction bridge suspended on the springs.
In the Voyagers offered by Chrysler, there are also versions with drive only on the front wheels, with mechanical gearboxes and various bodies with a two or one side sliding door. There are even two options for the wheelbase elongated by 15 cm at the Grand Voyager model. And four more different engines to choose from.
So, despite the individual anachronism, such as the spring, the construction of the structure deserves estimates of 8 points.
Suitability to Russian conditions
Plastic shoes are provided on Chrysler Voyager, but compared to a full drive, which is simply invaluable in the conditions of our winter it already seems trifle. The pluses include the operation of the engine at the 91st gasoline.
And also paid attention to the fact that an electrical heating was installed on the windshield in the parking lot of janitors. Envious thoroughness in trifles! Spoins the irresistible impression of the spare track, hanging under the bottom. Nevertheless, Chrysler Voyager is quite worthy of 8 points.
Comfort in Salon
That's where true American scope and the tendency to luxury! It is easier, probably list what is not here, because in the Chrysler Voyager salon there is everything! This is an air conditioner with separate temperature adjustment for the driver and the front passenger, and the audio system with infinity acoustics, and very much leather seat upholstery. In the first two rows there are folding armrests on them.
The ceiling is installed six individual lighting plaffers mounted at the same time with folding handles, and the TRIP computer display is located above the rearview mirror. Slightly behind it compartments for remote control of the garage gate and for points. And since the speech went about the tunes, then they can be found more than five pieces. In addition to the traditional glove, there is a nominating box under the front passenger seat, a couple of closing capacities on sides from the rear row and the compartment for the audio cassette at the bottom of the front panel. UV! And in the cabin there is a cupboard for each passenger.
At Chrysler Voyager electrified almost all that can be. The driver's seat is equipped with electric adjustments, there are servo drives on the windows of the front doors and the rear windows, and even the outer mirrors are not only configured, but also add the button by pressing the button in the cabin.
10 points. No comment.
Ergonomics
If you hold parallels with Peugeot 806, then in Chrysler Voyager landing on the front seats and in the second row is much closer to the passenger. This is, of course, more convenient, but slippery leather seats and the lack of side support spoil the impression. The position is somewhat straightening armrests and handles on the ceiling. Now it is clear why they are so much here!
The black matte plastic, which is beloved on top of the American massive front panel, must fight glare, reflected in the windshield in sunny weather. And it is mainly possible. There are also no serious complaints about visibility, but you can select the cruise control control buttons on the steering wheel.
Due to the fact that in the second row there are only two chairs, all over the salon can be moved without leaving the car. Naturally talking about flavored at the same time, it is simply inappropriate. Moreover, the rear sofa, and the chairs of the second row are equipped with Salazki and, moving them, it is easy to achieve space, freedom and comfort at all levels (especially below, in the legs). And, of course, both rear rows are easily dismantled.
9 points.
Safety
Two airbags, head restraints for all passengers, three-point seat belts (waist only at the middle of the last row) adjustable in the first and second rows in height, all these are weighty arguments in the fight for safety.
Accordingly, the score of 8 points.
Dynamics
Decent power in 166 hp And a very big torque makes their business acceleration dynamics for the machine with its own weight in two tons is simply impressive. Especially when the kick-down is triggered. In this case, only a few explosions notice before switching to the next transmission when the sound of the engine running on high engine speeds is breaking into the salon. Nothing more. No jerks. Only powerful smooth acceleration.
Also smoothly and gently triggered brakes. Maybe earlier than I would like, ABS enters, but it works very softly and unobtrusively.
Of course, for everything pleasant you have to pay. In this case, the flow rate of gasoline.
9 points.
Challenges
What can you wait from the American? When it is also sitting in the car is already subconsciously preparing for the fact that the steering wheel will be light and wadded, and the suspension is soft and ragged ... And suddenly everything turns out to be completely different! Chrysler Voyager suspension is rather even harsh. On the move, minivan is perfect on the road and does not swing at all. Well, now the passengers are not afraid of the sea disease. Fortunately, there was no car and shaking through irregularities to notice more by rumor. And this sound is perhaps the only drawback.
Efforts on the steering wheel is also more than usual on American models, which makes the behavior of Chrysler Voyager in turns well predictable. Apparently, this character at Voyager did not appear by chance, because in our hands a car was visited, intended for Europe. Therefore, the settings have relevant to what Europeans prefer.
Chrysler Voyager awd.
Number of seats and doors 7/5
Engine operating volume, cm3 3778
Power, hp 166.
at rpm 4200
Torque, nm 307
at rpm 3100
Octane number of gasoline 91
Number of gears 4.
Tire size 215/65R15
Wheel base, mm 2878
Wheel Pig, mm: Front 1600
rear 1626.
Length, mm 4733
Width, mm 1950
Height, mm 1740
Volume of fuel tank, l 76
Curb weight, kg 2000
Maximum speed, km / h 180
Overclocking time up to 100 km / h, s HD
Fuel consumption, l / 100 km: in the city of 18.0
on the highway 11,1
Retail price, $ 48500
Summary
Little, but excellently thought out Renault Megane Scenic is a car for just beginning your family career, whose households are still fit in a five-seater machine. It is logical to assume that these are young people who value driving pleasure. And here Scenic will meet their expectations.
Pegeot 806 is already designed for a more numerous family, in which it is also able to consider the money 806th car very practical.
Well, for those who are commenities in the first place, and who is ready to pay for them, the luxurious Chrysler Voyager is intended.
 
Alexander Stolyarov
Photo by Alexei Skyrovova
 

A source: Cars