Test drive Ford Focus C-Max 2003-2007 Minivan

Who is new?

To say that in Russia, after Europe, there was a boom of mini-wenes would be an exaggeration. Nevertheless, compatriots definitely tried these spacious and practical cars.
The pioneer was Renault Statzik of the first generation (ZR, 2000, No. 7), but now the palm lost to more fresh models: Ford Focus C-Max (ZR, 2004, No. 2) became a sales hit in this class. The new scenes II (ZR, 2004, No. 6) successfully started in Europe, but for a year and a half delayed with the Russian debut, the sales began only last fall. Will the Frenchman be able to regain leadership? How serious is his arguments? We brought this pair in a full-time match: the current champion Ford Focus S-Max and the applicant Renault stage II. Cars were in different trim levels the more grounds to evaluate other possible options. We’ll start with this.
Round round, weapon calculator
The price lists of both Ford and Renault are tied to the euro, which equalizes them in attractiveness. More precisely, unattractiveness ..
The minimum price of Ford-Focus C-Max 15 900 euros. If you do not pick up the order, but choose a car from those in the cabin, you can save є1200. It costs a Ford in the Ambiente configuration with a 1.6 liter engine and a mechanical gearbox; ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Electric Mirrors and Front windows, four pillows, central castle, immobilizer are attached. The initial bar of RNO is slightly higher: you can buy a scenes II from є16 600, and given the discount on the same conditions from є15 400. For this money, a similar power unit and the Authentique equipment: in comparison with the Ford, a couple of safety curtains, side compounds and small comfort elements are added here .
Test C-Max for є17 530 in the intermediate configuration of Trend is equipped with an unit of 1.8 liters. The air conditioner, on-board computer, leather steering wheel, folding tables and something on trifles. Renault's answer is like today they say, asymmetric less than the motor and a slightly different understanding of comfort: the scenes of є17 600 in the Expression version with a 1.6 -liter unit offers an electric parking brake, automatic inclusion of wipers and headlights (plus a washer), fog lights, an electric mirror. Do you still have air conditioning? Please pay extra є550. Do you need a more powerful motor? Then it's time to move on to top-comprehensive.
In Ford, it is traditionally called GHIA, equipped with a 2.0 liter engine and at a price of є19 450 practically repeats the French Expression, adding an electric package and alloy 16-inch wheels. The scenes are much more expensive in the Privilege configuration with a two -liter engine it costs considerable є22 500, but, by and large, the richer only for a smart climatic installation and athermal windshield. An automatic gearbox (є1000), an audio system (є300), heating seats (є190), opening rear window (є120), parking sensors (є210) will also be installed on the test machine will also be installed. The order will cost є24 340.
Judicial verdict: starting approximately equal, by the end of the round, Ford C-Max managed to achieve a noticeable advantage, demonstrating more attractive prices.
Second round, eye weapons and ruler
What is the mini-van for what are they choosing? First of all, for a spacious convenient salon with many arrangement options. But what about appearance?
Renault stage is similar to a thick playful puppy with a pretty muzzle. And what is the front panel with an extensive display in the center? Trying to characterize the design in one word, most likely you can say bright with unusual lines, bold solutions, maybe not always optimal from the point of view of exact sciences, but probably memorable. Both the appearance and the interior most likely will cause positive emotions from a potential buyer.
Otherwise, the c-max focus is perceived, whose average appearance looks like a business suit will not hold the eye with an unusual element, and after half an hour it will not be remembered. Inside, everything is verified to a millimeter, as if adjusted, it pleases with the high quality of manufacture and materials with the main features of the designer, it seems that there were accuracy and hard work. In general, the suit sewed a good tailor. Experienced professional but not inspired maestro
However, I like you like the fact of taste; It’s time for us to take up the ruler. Here the advantage of Renault is undeniable in all internal sizes, it slightly exceeds Ford. No, and in the last large man it will not be crowded, it is only a question of the supply of free space around the head of the front passengers, for example, about 15 cm remains. In addition, the Frenchman has more cozy seats with longitudinal adjustments. In both cars, you can equip supercomfort four-seater salons, shifting the extreme sections to the center and back to the C-Max for this, it is enough to fold the central one. In the stage, it is more difficult to dismantle all three chairs of the second row, hide the middle in the trunk or garage, and rearrange the side to other fastening points. About a quarter of a meter of free space forms in front of the knees in both Venans, and in Renault you can still throw back the back than not the limousine?
Triots have to pay for a sort of grace, both are blown up to three hundred with a small liter. They are very convenient and almost correct rectangular shape, and in the usual five -seater configuration of salons, we measured 416 liters very spacious at Ford, in Renault 364 liters. However, if necessary, the Frenchman’s chair can be moved forward by 220 mm.
Another trump card stage the abundance of boxes, pockets and shelves: the total volume is 91 liters! Suffice it to say that each passenger under the floor has a niche, for example, for interchangeable shoes, and under the chair of a retractable box for personal belongings. Ford positions in this nomination are weaker, in comparison with an ordinary passenger car, he offers only a couple of niches from behind under the floor and a large pencil case for atlases on the instrument panel.
Judicial verdict: Ford is good, but Renault is even better. Spacious and functional, it is more responsible for the concept of mini-van.
Round round, arms, legs and head
The c-max focus is more like a station wagon than a mini-van: a low landing behind a habitually tilted steering wheel, a standard layout of devices and front panel, sharp control (2.8 steering wheel turns from the stop to the stop!). Even the torpedo does not look as unboy spacious as that of other classmates. Actually, if you do not look back, the driver has only two tips for the front racks bifurcated downwards and the lever of the gearbox on the ledge of the console, by the way, pleasing with perfect clarity and confused short moves.
A dense suspension, the absence of noticeable rolls in corners, a baking engine, and effective brakes are conquered in the motion. Unlike a simple elastic cross member of the Frenchman, a multi -link suspension works here. Fast, accurate reactions on the road and the pleasure of energetic driving their merit. Perhaps here is one of the guesses of the popularity of Ford in the Russian market by paying for a prestigious D-class sedan, not everyone is glad to feel wagong. Only upset the clearance of 115 mm under plastic protection is at an empty car! Tiny external mirrors are a common lack.
Renault stage is completely different: there is more air in the cabin, glazing begins somewhere at the belt, landing, rather, bus. By the way, the ranges of adjustments of the driver's seat are such that with a height of 180 cm, I lowered it to the stop down, and the steering wheel pulled it completely. I had to get used to the dashboard both to the unusual location and to the intricate scales. When starting the engine, the driver initiates, but not a participant: by inserting a key card, touch the start button and after a second pause the engine comes to life. This creates a distance in communication with the machine.
The brakes appeared rather nervous: literally laid up the pedal laid out and already tear off ABS. The suspension is energy-intensive and comfortable, coupled with a lumen of 150 mm and 16-inch wheels, it allows you not to slow down too much in front of the potholes. A two-liter motor with a machine gun is a good tandem, quite sufficient for a moderate-dynamic driving. I don’t want to swell on this car, it’s not for that that the rolls are noticeable, the information of the steering wheel in the near -Zone is small. It’s great to rushed to Renault somewhere far away, you are not heard on vacation, as if on a veranda. It is convenient to maneuver on the scored streets, the sighting over the roofs of the cars is excellent, you twist the steering wheel with one finger.
Judicial verdict: according to passenger rules, the focus of C-Max could win this round, but remembering that the mini-wenes have their own priorities, we will declare a draw.
Analysis of the fight
The general score is no. The current champion Ford Focus C-Max did not lose its status by the applicant Renault stage II did not demonstrate a decisive advantage. However, along with the main drawback of a high price, he has a secret weapon genealogy and French charm. They may turn out to be serious arguments in the eyes of the originals of adherents of the stronger class of mini-wenes.
Renault Scenic II/›Renault Scenic II
The first-generation Renault Renault Mini-Ven on the Megana platform appeared in 1996. The stage-II debuted in 2003, and in the next one extended seven-seater version of the Grand scenes appeared.
Engines: gasoline 1.42.0 l (98165 l.) Or turbodiesel 1.51.9 l (82120 l.).
Gearboxes: 5- and 6-speed mechanical or
4-speed automatic. Front drive.
Complete: Authentique, Expression, Privilege.
The price of standard configurations in Russia: 16 600 22 500 euros.

Ford Focus C-Max/›Ford Focus C-Max
The C-Max mini-van on the second-generation Ford-Focus platform is presented in the spring of 2003. The five-door five-seater body is presented.
Engines: gasoline 1.62.0 l (101145 l. P.) And turbodiesel 1.62.0 l (109 136 h.).
Gearboxes: mechanical 5- or 6-speed. Front drive.
Complete: Ambiente, Trend, Ghia.
Price in Russia: 15 90019 450 euros.
SUMMARY
Renault Scenic II/›Renault Scenic II Mini-ven in the maximum meaning of this concept. With all the advantages, but also disadvantages.
+ A spacious salon with rich transformation capabilities, excellent visibility, an abundance of comfort elements and additional containers, an energy -intensive suspension.
- High price, non -optimal control ranges, small information management.

SUMMARY
Ford Focus C-Max/›Ford Focus C-Max is one of the most profitable offers. A successful combination of the abilities of mini-wen and passenger habits.
+ Attractive price, passenger carpeting, accurate reactions, clear work of the gearbox, roomy trunk.
- Small road clearance, modest containers in the cabin.
 
 

 

 


 



Yuri Nechetov
 

A source: The magazine "Driving"