Test Drive Honda Accord Sedan USA 2002 - 2005 Sedan
Middle class pumped muscles
Both of these cars combine representative appearance and excellent dynamics. But they achieve this in a completely different ways. Fitness after office
Life has improved, business is successful, the career staircase has fun rapidly recall the health, about the student years of sports discharges, about strong muscles and trained body. So the gym a couple of times a week and, of course, more powerful, dynamic and at the same time respectable car.
In the charged versions of the machines of medium or, as it is also called, the D-class is perhaps the best of others combines these qualities. We chose the two hottest news: the fastest serial Opel Vectra GTS with a 3.2-liter motor, with a capacity of 211 liters. s., and Honda-Accord-type-S seventh generation 2.4 l and 190 l. with. And they decided to compare them, which is called, in the native elements on the autobahns of Germany, where the speed is not limited, in French highways and local narrow tracks. Agree, it is better to figure out the differences in athletic characters better there, and not on the Moscow Ring.
True, this approach also found a small minus. We failed to take the richest equipment of the Accord Executive and Vectra GTS with a manual transmission. But, it seems, both things are corrected. Moreover, running ahead, say: it is that the machine is better fits the character of Opel and, on the contrary, the mechanics are good just with Honda.
Complete set of cars is almost maximum, although it is not deprived of the originality, from here and a fairly high price of $ 34 350 per Vektor and $ 30,300 per chord. However, buyers of such cars can already afford not to chase behind the amount of iron on one dennaution.
Shadow of glorious ancestors What associations give rise to Opel name? The experts will remember that for more than a century stamp history, she had interesting models, and sports victories, and now in the German auto racing, let's say, the championship is not from the latter. But in the consciousness of most of our compatriots, Opel is something more functional, pragmatic, not too expensive, quite reliable. In general, a good mass product, such a European consumer industry, in a good sense of the word.
So on the question: what is your car? The owner of the German most likely will answer: Vectra GTS. Moreover, you will have to lean on the prestigious Grand Tourism Sport.
Honda's automotive history was barely passed forty years, but the gleam of motorcycle victories, successes in Formula 1, bold technical solutions created her fame of the manufacturer of complex and perfect cars for the driver.
The owner of such a car is known for entering the world of high Honda technologies! And it is not necessary to specify which one. In any case, his car is more than just a means of moving from point A to point B.
Dolphin and Akula
If you try to remember the brightest features of the extermination of the Vectra, the plumbing black sides, shining moldings, massive spoilers around the perimeter come to mind, massive spoilers around the perimeter, healthy pancakes of alloy wheels, heavy, vertically chopped feed with two exhaust pipes respectableness and power! In front, if you take individually, too, everything is okay: Rounded, like a dolphin forehead, hood, a little naive headlights, a radiator cladding with an abundance of chromium and a large emblem, a massive bumper. However, the recognizable persons from these elements does not work, turned away and forgot.
By the way, the Vektru-GTS is released only with the body of the hatchback with the validity of such a division can argue, but it does not harm the machine. On the contrary, the streamlined roof and reminiscent of the anti-car small step of the trunk hints at high speed potential and are quite harmonized with an imparalial appearance penetrated by the inner force.
In the appearance of Honda, on the contrary, the front part is remembered. The sharp elongated nose, the predatory slots of narrow headlights under heavy centuries of the hood, turned down the angle of the radiator cladding and the mouth of the air intake, the aerodynamic body kit around the perimeter (the attribute of the Tip-S configuration), it is unpacable resembling a rapid and dangerous shark. The similarity enhances the gray body body, it is impossible to say that very winning. Yes, there are also dim-graphite wheels, as if the sipped dust from the broken brake pads so I want to wash them. However, such a modest color range is an individual feature of the test machine, in nature there are sharks, you mean, chords are much brighter.
Plus climate, minus drive
From my personal point of view, it is a pity that the creators of the interior of the vottra did not turn under hand. It seems that they used only rules, why the salon resembles an ultramodern office in the style of techno flat panels, straight lines, smooth corners. Even the steering wheel switches are similar to rectangular bars! However, the taste and color, as you know, no comrades. Many probably will find such a salon not only fashionable and stylish, but also attractive. Especially since high-quality materials, careful manufacturing and verbal clearances are not allowed to doubt the status of the host of this cabinet.
The chord with the strains of the patterns, but the materials are slightly less sound, and the elements are so slightly different from the shades of general gray, which causes doubt maybe, is it not artistic design, and the non-coil technologist? However, surcharges two thousand dollars, you will get a light beige leather interior with inserts under a tree, distinguishing more representative execution Executive from Sport Type-S.
Salon of a new chord has become 75 mm wider than the previous model
Vectra-GTS has huge rear doors, but due to the drop-down roof, the smaller height of the cabin
Combine both cars pattern rudders with metal spokes, which are controlled by the cruise control and audio system.
The interior of the Honda is restrained and functional, the backlight of the instruments turns on when the door is opened
Strict Opel Salon Solid, respectable and painted as if on the line of flat panels, straight lines. It revives only an aluminum strip around the perimeter
Solid image and sports orientation of cars caused not quite ordinary complete set.
In both cases, it is only a little bit pronounced to maximum and includes, for example, elements such as two-zone climate control, a navigation system (and Honda and with an active screen, which, however, can immediately forget to Russia neither Opel or Honda with navigators are not supplied), natural skin, insertion under aluminum or carbon fiber in the interior decoration, high-class audio system, wipers with rain sensor, xenon headlights, electronic stabilization system and much more. However, while adjusting the steering wheel and seats are mechanical. Say, the setting of the sports car is a thin and no servo drives can be trusted. Just manually!
In the rear doors of Opel-Vetra hide the curtains
Honda, the opening of the 550 l trunk is noticeably limited to a high bumper and glass edge
The chord is dense, with a good fixation of the chair, the steering wheel adjustment range is noticeably shifted downwards, which is convenient to the driver of small growth, although a large distance to the ceiling will hardly suit the basketball player. Vectra offers a slightly softer and comfortable seats, and even with general adjustment over the corner of the tilt. Ranges are wider here, and the ceiling is even higher. The last justly for the front places, behind the situation the opposite falling roof of the German car almost concerns the passenger's head. However, a large distance from his knees to the backs of the front seats (about 70 mm) significantly compensates for this flaw.
About the facts and their perception The trends indicated by the exterior of cars were continued under their hoods. Solid Vectra GTS makes a bet on the driver of a motor: it has a V-shaped aluminum six, a volume of 3.2 liters and a capacity of 211 liters. with. Accord-Tip-S shows another approach: moderate 2.4 liters, thanks to the system for regulating the duration and discovery of VTEC valves and the VTC gas distribution phases, allow more turns and light-row fours to develop only a little less than 190 liters. with. Of course, both engines have four valves on a cylinder and adjustable inlet, but the specific power of the second is almost a quarter higher, respectively, 66 and 81 liters. with. from liter volume.
If you do not look into the technical characteristics, then you can not gues about the sports charge of the GTS voids. Stylish, comfortable and quiet salon, a large-volume engine with a solid torque give birth to a feeling of a large heavy limousine, a distant driver and from the surrounding reality, and from the motor control process itself is barely heard, on the steering wheel and pedals are quiet and smooth. The feeling is not excluded, deceptive, because you can direct an accelerator to the floor and even play a rider, driving an adaptive 5-speed automaton with a consistent switching and under the uterine roar GTS measure a hundred eight seconds or makes it hang on the belts, clinging to the asphalt 17-inch wheels. But will do it without losing self-esteem, as if hinting: Do you need it?.
A completely different impression produces chord, on the contrary, involves the driver in the management process, infects with his excitement and provokes a ride on a sports style. I want to unscrew the motor to the ring, to slow down to lock and any turn to pass on the verge of a breakdown, reaping the chaininess of the suspension, with compatible reactions of the machine and the accuracy of the control. By the way, the Motor Honda confidently exports from any revolutions and on the VI transmission, allowing you to even skip them after one.
Infectious figures confirm the minority of such strong emotions acceleration to hundreds takes 7.9 seconds. That's just! Just one tenth is better than that of the GTS spectra with the machine, which we have just called a heavy limousine. Overclocking in both machines is almost the same, and the sensations are almost opposite. The German mechanical box will even faster for the whole 0.4 s! At the maximum speed, the chord is completely inferior to almost 20 km / h. Quoted Karaul, deceived!. But let me, didn't you participate in races on these machines? We are honest buy them, the only thing to enjoy driving and losing your nose to others. Well, it is easily, albeit different ways, allow you to make both cars.
The main thing is not to forget that they are addressed to different drivers. GTS to someone who wants to enjoy comfort at high speed, who prefers to stand up in the left row and, having caught a dear cigar, sweep past passing cars, like a fast train. Type-S is intended to those who give pleasure to the process of managing a four-wheeled shell, who behind the wheel loves to work the gear lever, squeezing a maximum of a high-breeding motor.
Nobless Lamg
Belonging to the D-class obliges a car to be comfortable independently of the potential of the engine. And the Vectra with this task copes better: it is softer, quieter, slightly spacious and richer and richer: there is, for example, a CD changer, an automatic darkening of the inner mirror, heated four seats, extending the curtains on the windows behind. But with sensory steering switches, it was very difficult to quickly find a neutral position. Unusual and managing power windows: on the driver's door there are only two keys, and a separate toggle switch connects to them mechanisms in the front or rear doors.
3,2-liter six, with a capacity of 211 liters. p., Almost not heard on the go not least, thanks to the resonators of the intake system located in front of the radiator
The rear seat is clearly a double, the third passenger will sit on the roller, not flexing the head
Multicolored scales in shiny edging look beautiful and read perfectly
Chord is slightly louder and tougher, although not so much so that it could be considered a disadvantage. Just he is another and this is his sports charm. But rustled steerly switches, a frequency wand of a cheap plastic handler, and even with an inappropriate chrome-plated button in the end, the central armrest falling on the seat is difficult to explain in the back of the central armrest.
On the spokes of the steering wheel of the Honda-Chord Control Buttons Cruise Control and Audio System
The central Console of Honda resembles a pentagon of the beads of the radiator. In the center there is a large 7.5-inch display of the navigation system sorry that it is useless in Russia
Between seats Two-storey boxing with an armrest extended lid
Do not think about pillows down
Someone, just not I just as many asses their chances to get into an accident. But probably, those who have already pleased them also thought. Therefore, we will not be over the pillows. They have a full gentleman's couple from our pair: two frontal, two side and two large inflatable curtains, fully overlapping the front and rear window openings. By the way, in Russia for New Honda, six pillows are mandatory in any configuration. Opel to this list can add active head restraints, reducing the risk of traumatting the neck at the bottom of the back, and breaking the bracket of pedals with a frontal impact. Five three-point belts, front with height adjustment and pretensioner is also the norm for the machines of this class. Just like the fastening of ISOFIX children's seats.
However, it can be hoped that before the operation of these devices, the case will not reach, the key to the rich set of actively safety. Here and ABS, and the EBD brake efforts distribution systems, emergency braking and stabilization. The latter is called IDS Opel and VSA at Honda, but they are close to the functions and help keep control over the machine in a critical situation. With some reservations to the means of passive safety, the control of the audio system can also be attributed to the steering wheel, which allows you to less distracted from control.
The pleasure is not for the poor
Prices for the base sedan Opel-Vectra-1.8 begins with $ 19.7 thousand. . A chord motors line is still much shorter, and therefore the price range for this model has already been noticeable from $ 25.9 thousand. For a 2-liter in a good basic configuration Comfort to $ 30.3 thousand for test Tip-S with a motor 2.4 l and Finishing $ 32.9 thousand per top executive with a machine gun.
Directly, the pleasure is not for the poor or suffering in a complex of inferiority. But for us in this case, the other is more important. The one who agrees to pay such money for the sports character of the serial sedan, without any deprivables pay extra 4 thousand for those not the ephemeral advantages, which ensures the top version of the voicra.
We decided:
With the similarity of concepts, Opel and Honda engineers built completely different cars. Vectra-GTS Comfortable high-speed liner for flights in the left rows of motorway. He looks like a businessman who scored an excellent fitness, but not lost solidity and self-esteem.
Accord-Tip-S Azart, dynamic car provoking riding risky and assertive. It's rather a professional athlete, the will of Fate became a businessman, but at any time ready to return to the treadmill.
And despite the fact that cars are so different, in a totality of qualities Average estimate of both 4.5.
However, Opel is ahead of Honda in our test on objective comfort and safety, losing more to subjective imagine, appearance and manageability. Individual pre-respects can be different, respectively, will change and evaluate.
Yuri Niley, Photo by
A source: Limousine magazine [07/03]
