Test Drive Daewoo Nubira 2000 - 2003 Sedan

Korean Chevrolet.

Universal Nubira is one of the four fresh GM-Daewoo models that will enter the Russian market in this autumn.
 
Let the reader do not deceive the full name of the car - Chevrolet Nubira Station Wagon. The legendary brand in the title is only a marketing move until all cars are going to the Korean city of Gunsang, at the new GM-Daewoo plant. But if in Korea, they are Daewoo, then in Europe already - Chevrolet, in Japan - Suzuki, and, for example, in China - Buick. Agree - a new word in multi-brand policy. Moreover, in the Russian market, as it became known, the car will be called and not at all Nubira, but Lacetti (which, however, is quite natural: we have already known a sedan on the same platform, Ai published a report on test drive in № 1- 2 (48) 2004). But since Nubira has been written on the machines proposed by journalists during the presentation in the vicinity of Hamburg, so far we will make this model. We'll talk about marketing at the end of these notes, and first we will take a look at the car that the largest corporation was not afraid to present in different parts of the world and under different names. Undoubtedly, counting on success.
 
More car for smaller money
 
Semi-in-lawy Opolevian motto, which sounded at a press conference from the mouth of Erhard Spranger, executive director GM-Daewoo - Europe, are now taking up for the US-Korean company. All correctly: Adam Opel AG now produces cars with a level higher and in another price segment, lifting the role of the manufacturer of the most accessible machines within the global concern of its new Korean sister. And a good slogan should not disappear. In addition, Nubira Station Wagon The motto fits perfectly: it is hardly the most spacious C-class car at a cost of 14,650 euros to 17 thousand per top version. Such amounts are in price lists of European dealers who have already begun to sell a wagon. For Russia, prices are finally not defined, but they must be assumed, will be in dollars and almost noticeably exceed European, despite the import duties.
 
For the money, the owner receives, first of all, a feeling of space: above the head of the driver's driver is more than enough, and on the rear seats, passengers have for the legs of 932 mm. Well, of course, a solid luggage dose: its volume varies within 400 - 1410 liters, depending on whether the backs are raised, omitted in parts or entirely. On the thorough time of the stern part of the stern part, such details are said as wide - 952 mm - opening with an open rear door, a plastic pad on the edge of the trunk, cutting from the ground by 640 mm, the presence of a curtain, covering, mesh, the second outlet on 12V (first - ahead , on the console) and the two-level compartment under the rug. In total, by the way, there are 25 different containers in the cabin.
 
In other words, a practical person, especially - family and burdened economy, such a wagon can very much to interest. Utility, meanwhile, did not deprive its attractiveness. Start with the fact that the Italian masters put on the model. In the exterior, motives are clearly traced, well-known for the Nubira sedan (the body from the PinInfarina Atelier). And the interior obviously reminds the decoration of the Lacetti work of Giugiaro. All this is not without grace, united in a single designer created not so long ago GM-Daewoo studio in Bupiyong, South Korea. We can say, they planted the former Nubira to a new platform by adding their own stern. It turned out well, the car looks harmoniously and at the same time does not impress the impressions of a small, but heavy - on the contrary, its appearance is not deprived of sportiness.
 
The silver strip along the central panel, the same edging of four deflectors and appliances, the finishing of the lower spokes of the ram and the central console bring the same sports spirit into the interior. The quality of the finish materials, let it be fabric and plastic, does not cause doubt, the gaps are recovered, on the go - no extraneous noises. As for the equipment, it depends on the modification, although the base involves the presence of tinted glasses, antennas in the windshield, the electric drive of the front windows and side mirrors, the audio system with the CD player adjustable by the tilt of the steering column. There are versions with air conditioning, climate control system and other options that you should learn from the dealer.
 
Of course, the journalists for the test were offered not the poorest versions. For example, I gave tribute to the convenience of the seat with an adjustable lumbar backup. All adjustments, as it should be expected - mechanical, but their set and ranges are quite enough so that you can get good at the wheel. Since I'm picky, I would like to be able to change the position of the Baranki also by departure. But with the lack of such an option I had to come to terms, but the upper rim of the steering wheel, to my surprise, in the end did not overlap the scale of the instruments, which is usually in my case. In general, the salon leaves a pleasant impression not only in terms of finishing, but also ergonomics. It is incomparably better than, to the worst example, the salon of the Nexia old woman.
 
Balanced nature
 
Together with the colleague, we drove on Nubira Station Wagon on various roads - a wide and narrow, high-speed and urban, straight and winding. Come to the conclusion that this, in general, a very balanced car with a balanced character. If it is artificially and stubbornly not to create extreme situations, it is possible to rely on it: the front-wheel drive department is not able to frighten the unpredictability of behavior, it is not scary and at high speeds, if the wheels are suitable for rapid movement of the canvas. However, sports notes do not mean the ability to race. Yes, and ridiculously demand from family, by definition, the car is ready to instantly respond to the slightest motion of the beam or pass the turns. He is not adapted to this just like Ferrari - to the transport of refrigerators.
 
In the car, everything is aimed at ensuring practicality and comfort. Although engineers specially for Europe made the suspension more rigid, the feeling of softness remains - and it is not bad, considering, again, the purpose of the car. Soft and pedal of clutch, and a steering wheel with a wide rim - no effort, drive, without rebuilding. The mechanical 5-speed KP with its stretched transmissions and not at all short moves of the lever to inspire, of course, can not, but also be mistaken in the choice of speed. And brakes?
 
My colleague, sowing behind the steering wheel, decided, apparently, remember his racing past, on each transmission to the limit of an unwinding engine. Yes, we rushed through a narrow path very quickly. Even too: 150 km / h, and a mini-tractor appeared ahead. The driver instantly hit the brake pedal - shifted the ABS, we gave tribute to the EBD brake effort distribution system, but the car did not reach the obstacle to some meter. In no case doubt the effectiveness of the braking system, I just want to emphasize: Ambitions with the constructive features of the machine should be consolidated. For Nubira available calipers more than enough, for the same Ferrari, others need others.
 
Of course, none of us retained from the temptation to go through a couple of turns with the highest possible speed. But if the future owner has a tendency to aggressive ride, you should at least change the tires: Kumho generally rubber is quite bad, so also beeps ahead of time. And the car itself behaved at the same time quite adequately.
 
A few words about power plants. If you use Nubira for a direct purpose, that is, as a family vehicle, then, in my opinion, quite enough and a 1.6-liter motor. Its power is enough to not feel the outsider in the stream. The 1.8-liter engine, of course, is cut and, that is amazing, even more economical. But only if combined with a mechanical KP. The 4-step automaton of ZF with the possibility of manually shifting gear, essentially reduces all its advantages to zero. Such a car accelerates even slower than Nubira 1.6, and Sport mode or independent choice of ranges is practically not changed. Although, definitely, the ACP in urban conditions looks preferable.
 
It is noteworthy that the unit is 1.8 liters. Manufactured by the Australian GM-Holden company. A lot of components for Nubira and other GM-Daewoo models are manufactured in Europe, including Siemens Automotive and Bosch.
 
Under the wing GM.
 
Apparently, Daewoo feels in a large family General Motors getting better and better. However, one and a half billion dollars would not damage any company. This GM money has invested in several new plants immediately, including the release of diesel engines developed by the Italians and, of course, in new models. The return is already there: over the past year, the total sales increased more than one and a half times, and in Europe for the first half of 2004, almost 55%. In total, GM-Daewoo intends to sell 200 thousand cars in the old world. Including, by the way, and Chevrolet Niva is a GM-AvtoVaz product, which will begin to conquer the continent in 2005. On the approach - Matiz of the second generation and the new SUV from Korea. However, a real breakthrough in the model range must be thought, still ahead.
 
As for production in Uzbekistan, which is known, is not included in GM-Daewoo, then, according to Erhard Spranger, machine collectors will be supplied there for another three years. The Ukrainian project with the Avtozaz is reanimated and gaining momentum.
 
Finally, it should be said about what cars from GM-Daewoo, in addition to Lacetti with the body of a wagon, should be waiting for the current autumn to Russian consumers. It is a compact Chevrolet Aveo, known to the rest of the world under the inactive name Kalos, in four- and five-door versions. Evanda Business Class Machine and Rezzo Companies (in some countries - Tacuma). All these models AI informed readers in reports from international car dealerships. More about each newspaper will tell in the nearest rooms.
 
Oleg Osipov
 
Brief specifications Chevrolet Nubira Station Wagon
Engine volume, cube. See: 1598/1799
Number of valves on the cylinder: 4/4
Power, l. with. For v / min: 109/5800 / 122/5800
Max. Torque, nm / at about about. Min.: 150/4000: 165/4000
Acceleration up to 100 km / h, p .: 11.4 / 10.4 (11.9)
Maximum speed, km / h: 187/194 (184)
Middle fuel consumption l. / 100 km.: 7.8 / 7.5 (9,1)
Volume of fuel tank, l.: 55
Dimensions, mm: 4580x1725x1460
 
In brackets are given data for the version with ACP
 

Source: "Car Izvestia"