Test Drive Ford Grand C-MAX since 2010 Minivan

Who is on new?

To say that in Russia, after Europe, a boom of mini-shops happened, it would be an exaggeration. Nevertheless, compatriots definitely typked these spacious and practical cars.
The pioneer was Renault Scenic of the first generation (SM, 2000, No. 7), but now I gave way to the palm of the championship more fresh models: Ford Focus C-Max (SP, 2004, No. 2) became a hit of sales in this class. New Scenic II (SP, 2004, No. 6) successfully started in Europe, but for a year and a half he was delayed with the Russian debut of sales began only by last fall. Does the Frenchman be able to return leadership? How serious is his arguments? We brought this pair in full-time duel: the current Ford Focus C-Max Champion and Renault Scenic II contenders. Cars were in different configurations, the more grounds to estimate other possible options. From that and begin.
Round first, weapon Calculator
Price lists and Ford, and Renaults 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 the car from those in the cabin, you can save є1200. So much is the Ford in the Ambiente configuration with a 1.6 liter motor and a manual transmission; ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, electric machines and front windows, four pillows, central locking, immobilizer is attached. The initial Renault Plank is slightly higher: Buy Scenic II can be from є16 600, and considering the discount on the same conditions from є15 400. For this money, a similar power unit and equipment Authentique: A pair of security curtains, flightcomputer and minor elements of comfort are added in comparison with Ford .
Test C-MAX for є17 530 In the intermediate configuration Trend is equipped with a 1.8 liter unit. From equipment Air conditioning, on-board computer, leather steering, folding tables and something in trivia. Renault response like today they say, asymmetric less motor and a little different understanding of comfort: Scenic price є17 600 In an EXPRESSION version with a unit of 1.6 liters, an electric parking brake offers an automatic switching on wiper and headlights (plus washer), fog lights, an electrochromic mirror. You still have air conditioning? Please pay extra є550. Need a motor powerful? Then it's time to move to top-settings.
For Ford, it is traditionally referred to as GHIA, equipped with a 2.0-liter engine and at the price of є19 450 almost repeats the French Expression, adding electrically the alloy 16-inch wheels. The scenic is much more expensive in the PRIVILEGE configuration with a two-liter engine. It costs considerable є22 500, but, by and large, richer only on smart climatic installation and athermal windshield. The test machine also installed an automatic transmission (є1000), an audio system (є300), seats heating (є190), opening rear window (є120), Parktronic (є210) Order will cost є24 340.
The judicial verdict: starting about equal, by the end of the Round Ford C-Max managed to achieve a noticeable advantage, demonstrating more attractive prices.
Round the second, eye weapon and ruler
Why choose mini-Ven? First of all, for a spacious comfortable salon with many options for arrangement. But what about appearance?
Renault Scenic looks like a plump playful puppy with a pretty face. And what is the front panel with an extensive display in the center? Trying to characterize the design by one word, most likely, say bright with unusual lines, bold solutions, may not always be optimal from the point of view of accurate sciences, but for surely memorable. And 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 be delayed an unusual element, and after half an hour and not remember. Inside, everything is adjudiced to a millimeter, it is accurately adjusted, pleases the high quality of manufacturing and materials by 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 the case of taste; It's time for us to take a ruler. Here the advantage of Renault is indisputable on all internal sizes, he slightly surpasses Ford. No, and in the last major man will not be closely, it is only about the reserve of free space around the head of the front passengers, for example, about 15 cm remains. In addition, the French has more cozy seats with longitudinal adjustments. In both cars, you can equip ultra-formable quadruple salons, shifting the extreme sections to the center and back to C-MAX for this enough to add central. In the scenic, it is more difficult to dismantle all three chairs of the second row, to hide it average in the trunk or in the garage, and the side rearrangement on other attachment points. In front of the knees in both birds, about a quarter of a meter of free space is formed, and in Reno, you can still throw back the back than not limousine?
It is necessary to pay for such a grace for trunkings both blown up to three hundred and small liters. They are very convenient and almost correct rectangular shapes, and in the usual five-seater configuration of salons very accommodating Ford we measured 416 liters, in Renault 364 liters. However, if necessary, the French armor can be shifted forward by 220 mm.
Another trump card Scenic abundance of boxes, pockets and shelves: total 91 liters! Suffice it to say that each passenger has a niche under the floor, for example, for replaceable shoes, and under the chair, the drawer for personal belongings. Ford's position in this nomination is weaker, in comparison with a conventional car, it offers only a couple of niches from behind under the floor and a large pencil pencils on the instrument panel.
Judicial verdict: Ford is good, but Reno is even better. Spacious and functional, he mostly meets the concept of mini-Ven.
Round Three, Weapons Hands, Legs and Head
The C-MAX focus is rather reminded by a wagon than mini-Ven: a low fit for the familiar with the inclined steering wheel, the standard layout of instruments and the front panel, acute control (2.8 turn of the steering wheel from the stop until the stop!). Even the torpedo does not look so unbarrowed spacious, like other classmates. Actually, if you don't look around, the driver has only two tips on the front racks and lever of the gearbox on the ledge of the console, by the way that pleases the perfect clarity and verified short strokes.
In motion, a dense suspension is conquered, the absence of noticeable rolls in turns, a paddle motor, efficient brakes. Unlike a simple elastic crossroads of the Frenchman, a multi-dimensional suspension is running here. Fast, accurate reactions on the road and pleasure from energetic driving of their merit. Perhaps, here is one of the popularity of Ford's popularity on the Russian market by paying as for the prestigious D-class sedan, not everyone is glad to feel the car. Distributed only lumen at 115 mm under plastic protection it is at an empty car! The tiny outdoor mirrors lack total.
Renault Scenic is completely different: the air in the cabin is greater, the glazing begins somewhere at the belt, landing, rather, bus. By the way, the ranges of adjustments of the driver's chair are such that with a height of 180 cm I lowered it downwards, and the steering wheel pulled out completely. The dashboard had to get used to an unusual location, and to intricate scales. When starting the motor, the driver performs the initiator, but not a member: inserting the key card, touch the start button and after the second pause the engine comes to life. It creates a certain distance in communicating with the machine.
Pretty nervous showed the brakes: literally laces on the pedal put and already shifting ABS. The suspension is energy-intensive and comfortable, coupled with a lumen of 150 mm and 16-inch wheels it permits not too slow down in front of the codbins. A two-liter motor with a good tandem machine, quite sufficient for moderately dynamic driving. You don't want to stick on this car, it is not for that he is noticeable of rolls, the informativeness of the steering wheel in the okolonulous zone. The Reno is great to die somewhere far away, you sit on vacation, as on the veranda, noise is not heard. Convenient and maneuver on clogged streets, visibility over the roofs of the passenger cars are excellent, the steering wheel is twisted with one finger.
The judicial verdict: according to the passenger rules, the victory in this round could win the focus C-MAX, but, remembering that the Mini Wanes had his priorities, declare a draw.
Disaster of the match
The total account is none. The current Ford Focus C-MAX champion did not lose his status, Renault Scenic II decisive advantage did not demonstrate. However, along with the main disadvantage of a high price, he has a secret weapon of a pedigree and French charm. They may be serious arguments in the eyes of the originals of the primary class of mini-WaN.
RENAULT SCENIC II /\u003e RENAULT SCENIC II
Renault scenic of the first generation Mini-Ven on the Megan Platform appeared in 1996. Scenic-II debuted in 2003, and the following appeared the elongated seven version of Grand Scenic.
Engines: gasoline 1.42.0 l (98165 l. P.) Or turbodiesel rails 1,51.9 l (82120 l. P.).
Gearboxes: 5- and 6-speed mechanical or
4-speed automatic. Front drive.
Hardware: Authentique, Expression, Privilege.
The price of standard complete sets in Russia: 16,600 22,500 euros.

Ford Focus C-Max /\u003e Ford Focus C-Max
Mini Venin C-Max on the second-generation Ford Focus Platform is represented in the spring of 2003. The body of a five-door is five-seater.
Engines: gasoline 1.62.0 l (101145 l. (101145 l.) And turbodiesel rails 1,62.0 l (109,136 liters.).
Transmission: Mechanical 5 or 6-speed. Front drive.
Required: Ambiente, Trend, Ghia.
Price in Russia: 15 90019 450 euros.
SUMMARY
Renault Scenic II /\u003e Renault Scenic II Mini Ven in the maximum value of this concept. With all the advantages, but also disadvantages.
+ Spacious salon with rich transformation capabilities, excellent visibility, abundance of comfort elements and additional tanks, energy-intensive suspension.
- High price, non-optimal adjustment ranges, small management information.

SUMMARY
Ford Focus C-Max /\u003e Ford Focus C-MAX One of the most profitable offers. A successful combination of mini-Wen's abilities and a car chassis.
+ Attractive price, easy landing behind the wheel, accurate reactions, clear gearbox operation, a spacious trunk.
- Small ground clearance, modest containers in the cabin.
 
 

 

 


 



Yuri Neduchov
 

Source: Journal "Behind the wheel"