Citroen C8 Test drive since 2002 Minivan

That's the "eight"!

Who will surprise the world to the most reliable of the minivans? The most stylish, rich, high -speed and safe? And, of course, infinitely comfortable? The favorites are known for Chrysler and Renault, Pioneers of minivan construction. Any applicant will have to deal with them. And the applicants developed a new strategy to act together: this is how local alliances of Ford-Volkswagen and PSA-FIAT arose. At the first stage, they only managed to gain a foothold in the niche of the minivans, but not to move the leaders. Now the turn of the second stage has come. At last year's car dealership in Geneva, the premiere of the magnificent four CITROEN C8, Fiat Ulysse II, Lancia Phedra and Peugeot 807 took place. All cars are produced in the North of France, at the SEVASION ESSIAL (where their predecessors Citroenes, Fiat Ulysse, Lancia Z and Peuige 806) And differ only in details.
 
Clones under the French brands are already sold in Russia, and we are happy to bring to your attention the most pretty, from our point of view, the version of this cosmopolitan machine. Despite the impressive dimensions, Citroeon C8 does not seem to be heavy largely due to the dynamic plastic of the sidewalls. You can also order an anti -wing on the roof, and then the minivan will acquire a blocking look at all. And exquisite mirrors with integrated turn signals are a self-sufficient work of design art! I really liked the hands of the doors, powerful, thorough, under the natural grip. By the way, the lid of the trunk on C8 is the entire back wall of the body: rising, it leaves the lanterns hanging in the air. The sliding side doors are equipped with electric drives and controlled both from the front and middle rows, and remotely, from the key. Impressive! In addition, when hitting an obstacle, these doors, as well as all glasses, stop and begin to move in the opposite direction.
 
Cesam opens, and you see such a kingdom of avant -garde luxury! Logging leather chairs and velor beige inserts, total electrification. The architecture of the front panel is generally worthy of a separate story! XXI Century! The entire structure is crowned with a trumped in the form of a boomerang, under which three separate dials are located right in the center. Their testimony is perfectly read even from the back row of seats, but for a person behind the wheel, standard -oriented devices are preferable, since in search of a speedometer, the eyes first involuntarily cling to the tachometer. Maybe this is a matter of habit? Don't know. In front of the driver, only the steering wheel is already with four steering wheel switches (one of which is constantly confused with the ignition key) and a semicircular shield with an electronic odometer and control indicators.

 
The second tier of the panels is occupied not only by deflectors and there are two huge glove boxes with clamps with a clip of clinics for all kinds of small things and a display of an on-board computer, which are also planted in the center, hidden behind the sliding cover of the CD. A protruding transformer console is even lower: an ashtray and puppy-mudfanniki are advanced from its bowels. In general, there are no questions with the placement of all kinds of objects: under the right front seat there is a container, the backs of all seats are equipped with folding tables. There are boxes even on the third row! The same container with a translucent lid that is visible near the gearbox lever in no case for ash, but for coins. Nearby, a breathtaking climate control unit, as if borrowed from one of the Hollywood starships. The object is aesthetically impeccable, only the indication of the buttons redistributing the air flows is useless.
 
Citroone is not Citroeon without oddities? Exactly! The parking brake lever was to the left of the driver's seat, right there, in the floor, under the next lid, the lever of the hood castle was hidden. And to the right, the levers of the seat adjustments and the wheel of it are heated. Warm! True, most likely, this applies to twin machines of other brands.
 
This C8 is packed in full. Skin, xenon, climate and cruise control, parking sensors. Four pillows, a complex of active safety led by ESP. Three glass hatches with electric drives and transparent curtains, the same curtains on all side windows, with the exception of, of course, the front ones. All chairs are regulated in the longitudinal direction and along the corner of the inclination of the backs, the possibility of layout of the cabin are countless. The only misfire under the hood: the car is equipped with a basic two -liter engine and mechanics. But there is still a 2.2-liter modification and a top version with a 204-horsepower V6 and an automaton. We hope to see these cars in Russia in the near future.

  

In fact, even with such a motor, C8 rides very decently. Yes, the engine does not shine with a generous torque below, but compensates for it with liveliness in the upper speed. After the mark of 4000, it is already unfair to complain about the lack of renewal. Of course, in order to hold the motor in such modes, one more often has to work as a gearbox lever, which in itself is a small pleasure. The moves are too great, and the process of switching is odd.
When driving C8, you experience a feeling of a car that is unknown to drivers of the vast majority of minivans. The steering wheel here is not just a tool that, by mechanical ties, turns the front wheels. This is an extremely friendly interface in relation to the user, displaying all the parameters necessary for compiling an objective picture and responsible for the most reliable execution of commands. As a result, transplanting from an ordinary passenger car in C8, you will have to get used to only with its large physique and learn how to feel the dimensions. And all. And in terms of controllability, and in terms of dynamics zero disappointment. And even pleasant discoveries. For example, ESP does not mark the Cerberries, stopping demolitions, but allowing smooth drifts to small corners. It can be turned off by receiving a little more freedom, but at a critical moment electronics will intervene in the actions of a person who had just proved the inability to control the situation, on his own initiative.
 
What the eight is not like other cars of the French brand is a smooth move. A harsh crest! The specifics of the road profile is reflected in the body in sufficient detail, although the level of vertical accelerations is far from uncomfortable.
 
So, Citroeon C8 (with comrades) The most advanced minivan in the world? We will be ready to answer this question a little later, when we introduce ourselves and you with the last generation Chrysler Voyager and the latest Renault Espace, which should happen very soon. But the Leadership Application has already been submitted.

  
The car is provided by Exis-Kar.
During the test, the car is insured by LLC Nation Center.
 
Text: Leonid Klyuyev
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [July 2003]