Test Drive Citroen C3 since 2002 Hatchback

Child of the Sun

Citroen C3 is a very light car. And very practical.
I want to catch the random beam with all the body, and you are in the car where there is no corner, to which this ray would not reach. Or here's another picture: around slightly, chill, frowning, and you warmly, light and ride pleasant. This will not like it except that the vampire, but Citroen SZ is made for living people with hot blood. And in particular, perhaps, he is good with panoramic hatch offered as an option. With it, it is at all solarium on wheels, easily turning in almost a convertible. Now it is clear why he is so rounded and high? That's right, the lights and places inside were more ...
The entrance of the presentation and test drive of the novelty, which the French company arranged in the near Moscow, the road, the automotive public did not get tired of arguing about the merits and disadvantages of the exterior. And I, admit, could not be in a sense, how can there be too rounded body lines by itself bad or, on the contrary, are good? In general, the machine looks very organic and, dare to say, elegant. It is not similar to similar products of competitors, and one deserves praise. The fact that Citroen SZ is the Sun Child, I already said. What else? Well, if you like, - the massive grille with the branded emblem harmoniously fits into the overall stylistics; The headlights of the original shape flaming on the wings give an eye into something touching and at the same time dynamic appearance. The rear part: triangular lanterns are inscribed in the side racks of the body and do not violate the total harmony. As for the interior, it is generally a work of art, as close as possible to the urgent needs of a person.
Start with the fact that the doors swipe wide, so it's convenient to sit in the car. It will be cramped, - by the colleague, who was to stay in the back seat. And it was not right: both to him, and another passenger from behind, and we two were quite comfortable for us. The front chairs have all the necessary adjustments that, given the ability to move the steering wheel up and down and horizontally, allows you to take the most convenient position. At the same time, I ask you to see the dear reader that only one of the four was a little less than 180 cm, the rest - above. I also please take into account that we are talking about a car that is less than Golf. So it's a breaking phrase - the car is more from the inside than outside, in this case it is quite relevant.
However, the interior pleases not only with light and space, but also the originality of design solutions. What are the alone air supply deflectors in the salon, strongly resembling small globes with stripes - meridians, or latitudes, because they rotate in all planes. At the top of the front panel, a small screen is located on which the audio readings are displayed as well as many other useful information - from the air temperature overboard to the average fuel consumption. The electrical window control buttons of the front doors are between the driver and the passenger at the bottom of the central console, next to the lever of the 5-speed mechanical gearbox. Use them very convenient. Baranca is withstanding in corporate identity. It can contain buttons for controlling the cruise control system (this is the option). Yes, even such a small car, which is positioned between Saxo and XSara models, has many electronic attributes that are familiar to see the highest class machines.
Original and instrument shield. There are no usual ovals of the speedometer and tachometer. The speed is highlighted by large numbers on a special liquid crystal screen. Around him a small rim, which, strictly speaking, is a tachometer marked up to 7 thousand rpm. Of course, reading his testimony is unusual, but it is not so important for a car of this class. The fuel level sensors and temperature of the power unit are located on the sides of the screen, and also do not have the shooter - the readings are displayed using special strokes tanning when the motor starts. On the right submitter switch there are additional buttons that control the audio system - originally and quite convenient. On request, the Citroen SZ Customer can also be equipped with a climate control system.
The rear armchairs can be folded both both and in parts, significantly increasing the volume of the luggage compartment. And this compartment is unique in its own way. When you open the trunk lid, you immediately pay attention to special plastic shelves attached to the backs of the back chairs. The possibilities of their transformation are great. For example, they can be decomposed, thereby creating the second floor. Or folded in the form of boxes, which will easily fit, say, shoes. Moreover, special attachments, no matter how experimenting with shelves, always, even with the most active ride, will retain the form you specified. In general, various compartments and boxes in the cabin and the trunk of the SZ great set. This can be considered a kind of compensation for small dimensions.
Fight character
The Russian buyer proposes a choice of two gasoline force aggregates with a volume of 1.4 and 1.6 liters and power, respectively, 75 and 110 hp. I happened to test the most powerful version of the SZ and, I must say that she left her the most pleasant impressions.
In the suburbs on this day it was wet. Therefore, the experienced colleague on the right shouted: What are you?! After all, it will bring !! I did not bring until I wanted myself ... but in general, the car turns out. Motor cheerful, clutch pedal Although soft, but possesses feedback, transmission switches like a well-lubricated gun shutter. The numbers on the speedometer flashes, it seems with a unthinkable speed, sometimes repeating immediately almost 10 km / h. And then the country road, on the occasion of the test drive closed for counter transport. How not to drive?
Therefore, in turn, I will not even think up to slow down. I take the limit to the excolator pedal, spinning the motor to the limit 6500 rpm. Acute and moderately, a heavy ram forms a clear idea of \u200b\u200bwhat is happening under the wheels. And the SZ arc goes like on rails. In the next priese, I already frankly put the car sideways and pass the turn with a preliminary drift. The eyes of a policeman on the contrary - as the round sun, which looks out due to clouds of large, radiating explicit indignation. In all likelihood, because it is not necessary to finally finant.
But if, let's say, slowly go along the same country, you immediately give tribute to comfortable suspension. In the turns, the casual rolls are not so great.
Although the road was closed for private transport, the collective farmer on the tractor was probably unknown. Right with a pashnya, wide splashing dirt, he decided to cross the road. What is the strength of behaving on the brake pedal. It is good that everyone is fastened, and only the seat belt left a small trace on a powerful passenger's chest to the left of me. Citroen SZ got up like inserted. ABS only a little adjusted the course on a slippery road, without giving the car to drive. At the same time, the vibrations on the pedals were within the normal range - not very strong, but distinct. I must say brakes are configured at sports. Even a small touch on the pedal leads to a clutch nose. You must get used to, but you can't call this disadvantage. And this is perhaps the only thing that in the new Citroen should be adversely used. Otherwise, the behavior of the car on the road above all silence is confident both on the line and turns. Moreover, it should like both men and women.
Question not only in price
Sales Citroen SZ has already begun. The cost of the basic version with a 1.4 liter engine - 11,990 dollars. At the same time, even in the standard configuration, the owner receives front windows, electric drive and heated mirrors, 2 airbags and head restraints from behind. The list of options is quite large and, among other things, includes, for example, air conditioning (+ $ 700), Parktronic system (+ $ 270). A version with automatic gearbox is also available, which will lead to an increase in the cost of a car by $ 1700.
Citroen SZ with a more powerful 1.6 liter motor protested by us, in the database costs 13,290 dollars. Its equipment and the list of options is almost the same. Although there is one thing: this motor is aggregated only with a 5-speed manual transmission.
The Citroen SZ market prospects to evaluate is perhaps difficult. Now in this segment is dominated by Peugeot 206, VW Polo, Fiat Punto and Opel Corsa. Each of these cars is peculiar and costs approximately the same. In addition, you should not forget that almost the same money you can afford a golf class car, however, either not prestigious, or, let's say, - not stylish or in a very poor configuration. However, since competitive models are in stable demand, there are good chances of Citroen SZ. In particular, among those people who appreciate the sun.
Andrei Osipov
 

A source: Newspaper "Car Izvestia" [№8 (11), 2002]