Honda Fr-V test drive since 2007 Minivan
Contrary to logic
The original layout of the Honda-Fr-V salon opens the compactwaine to fans of the unknown possibilities. Yes, I have long heard about the wonderful salon of this machine, about the trifle first row of seats and a funny joystick of the gearbox. Nevertheless, I cannot start a real, and not in absentia acquaintance with a real new Honda with boring discussions about transformation options. Rather behind the wheel and go!
In his repertoire
I turn the ignition key, and dials flare up in the dark niche of the dashboard. The sweet voice of the starter passes into the rustle of the engine, and I touch the place. A pair of switching and to the reference clarity of the box can be added by another compliment: the same joystick of the KP is located not on the floor, but on the front panel, literally in the semi -secrets of summer from the steering wheel, and this is not only ergonomically, but also for the benefit of security.
As the engine thrust grows, synchronized with its muffled and clearly sports howl, accurately indicates the Honda breed, as always, in his repertoire. With measured driving, the 2.0-liter I-VTEC and 2000 rpm does not give a reason to switch down, but some magical force makes me twist the motor: and the higher the speed, the nicer this activity. Although there are no special sections in the upper part of the speed spectrum, it is possible to ride, filling the tachometer arrow for 4000, I want to already because the responsiveness of the slightest increase or discharge of gas becomes almost instantaneous there. Sensations on the steering wheel, and the steering wheel itself is thin, small diameter, also in the traditions of the company. A pleasant, but not reaching threshold of common sense of sharpness. That is just right. The reactive effort on the steering wheel when leaving the turn is not often encountered not often the dignity of modern cars. Perfectly dosing, powerful brakes.
But the suspension deceived my expectations. In the good sense of the word. Even in the parking lot, I skeptically looked under the front bumper, clearly conceived not for our roads and look, you will strok on the bump. Which suggested the appropriate suspension, with oak, exactly under the German landstrasses springs. In fact, it turned out that the car silently licks with wheels rather deep potholes, few of the representatives of the golf class would be just as comfortable. And the secret is simple with such a wide as FR-V, the track turned out to be possible, without sacrificing the tenacious of the machine in the turns, make the suspension springs softer.
So it turned out that the most interesting thing in this machine is still not quite expected to control, namely, a layout non-standard for the beginning of the 21st century.
For all occasions
Admiring the elegant cutting of her pretty face, the brilliance of clear headlights against the backdrop of the radiance of azure metallic, slightly elevated, with the features of the BMW-X5 with a stern, I try to understand: are the correct proportions of this machine conceal its width? After all, two passengers were placed here next to the driver. No, vision of the vision was excluded by a gazelle with a diane of two meters, not leaving questions about a triple cab, and a little Japanese intrigued even more. Well, we open the door and measure the distance.
Firstly, it is not so narrow. Outside is like a Volga, that is, wider most of the middle class sedans. Secondly, the middle seat of the first row is almost childish and takes only 42 cm width of the salon. Having displaced the volume that on most cars is used extremely inefficiently: a tunnel with a handbrake, and air on top. Here, the levers of the parking brake and the KP are transferred to the instrument panel, and the entire space from the floor to the ceiling is given to the middle passenger. In addition, in FR-V and extreme front seats already than usual, and the doors are thinner than that of classmates (therefore, even the windows control keyboard had to be placed on a dashboard), and the desired 420 mm set up.
A six-seater car is amazingly compact: in terms of length and base, it is identical to a 5-door sivik
The console lever of the KP does not interfere with the legs of the average passenger will appreciate this will be appreciated by those who drove next to the driver in the minibus
Above the windshield is three sunscreen visors, according to the number of seats
I sit in the middle. I will not say that I really advocate the seats, and, given that the children are sometimes larger than the parents (and those who are under 12 years old, according to traffic rules, will sit behind), this chair can be considered quite adults. Although, of course, there are citizens who can place only the left buttock here, but they will also be comfortable, because there is a separate seat for the right ...
And in general, the three chairs installed on the sleds with a flat row are a continuous sofa, on which everyone can take a place corresponding to their complexion. Anyone who in the middle will not be infringed on with him and a personal cup holder, and a visor from the sun, and a seat belt, all three fastenings of which are mounted in the chair itself. And if it happened, the right Air Bag will take two passengers into his arms at once.
The driver’s place meets the minivan standards (highly, visible) and, with the exception of the windows, which hid behind the steering column, did not cause claims to ergonomics. And I actively took up the passenger salon, having sorted out more than a dozen options for its transformation.
Repeaters of the turn signals built into the side mirrors are not only an attribute of design, but also a tribute to security
The panel is made with elegant simplicity, and the devices themselves are perfectly read
The curtain-regiment behind the back of the rear seat consists of three parts to plunge any high object (for example, a plant in a pot), cover the rest of the trunk from prying eyes
Of these, most often will be in demand, apparently, 6-seater, even if you usually have to carry 34 riders. The fact is that constantly holding the front middle seat folded in the form of a table is not too conveniently lied to the wonderful opportunity to go out of the steering wheel through the right door. And for the placement of goods in various relationships with the number of passengers, you can fold all the seats except the right front.
The most crown option, thanks to which FR-V will conquer the hearts of fans, with fully folded seats of the second row. After all, competitors will not be able to take on board three people (that is, an average family), if you load something large-sized behind, for example, three bicycles. The ability to shift the average seat back is interesting, it seems, for the driver and passengers of dense complexion with such a scheme, they will not push each other with their elbows. Although the zigzag -shaped passages between the rows are not too convenient. Other options can be listed for a long time: sleeping, lunch, office
Only four of several dozen options for transforming the FR-V interior. The first for four adults of solid complexion and their teenage children.
The second six places and 439 liters of baggage. The third, perhaps, is optimal for distant voyages in a good company. Fourth as cargoes of 1050 liters
The main thing is rare ...
However, for whom is all this diversity? The question is by no means idle. After all, Honda is still true to the principles and defiantly cuts off the wide masses of working from the chosen circle of their customers with prices. For example, FR-V in a single configuration, with a 2.0-liter engine, a mechanical KP and a fabric salon, costs $ 28,900. which, with all its advantages, practically removes this outstanding car from the compactwaine competition. For the potential buyers of Si-Max and the stage, even heard about Japanese quality, are unlikely to overpay for this as much as $ 8,000. Those who need Honda need, the price will not be scared away. But they, before buying FR-V, will think: do not take, by paying less than 20%, equally roomy CR-V all-fruit, much more suitable for our conditions?
Let us estimate and who, contrary to logic, will choose compactiven? Probably the one who is fundamentally important to drive the three of them with a trunk free for a large cargo. In addition, this 6-seater Honda is suitable for the company as a traveling minibus, because compacts with a three-row salon and even eight-, nine-seater commercial machines with a sliding door are inferior to FR-V in the speed of planting and planting. Not to mention the convenience of parking 4.3 meters in length allowing you to take the place of the golf-class hatchback that had traveled. It is very likely that FR-V will be interested in a person who is fallen on the novelty. Until the dealers bring something even more fresh, he will bask in the rays of attention to his, no doubt beautiful, and most importantly, a rare car. And, finally, this Honda is an ideal car for lovers what else can you go in Russia, sitting in an embrace? Although, as folk wisdom says, driving the left hand with a car, and with the right, pressing the girl to you, you and both do it badly ...
Change of image
In recent years, the design of Honda engineers has more and more gravitates towards multi -seater family cars. What the company was proud of before and on what she did her name gradually goes into the shadow. Where are they now selfish Sports Cup CRX and prelude, where 1.6-liter sivik motors twisted before aspen singing? Roadster S2000 left the Russian market, the NSX purebred racer was generally discontinued. The last of the Mogican Typ-R ...
But the bunches of the minivans blossomed with violent color. Apart from the short cubes with 700 cubic motors for the domestic market and the jazz recently represented in Russia, which in the height of the salon and the possibilities of its transformation is quite drawn to the title of Mikroven, the Japanese company already had a whole gamut of multi-seater universal lumines: Odysseus, he is a shuttle, step -Wagon, stream, mobilio, Elizhn and their twins for different markets. In fact, Honda became the legislator of the mod in this area. However, the triple front row is by no means her know-how. In addition to the fact that half-American still sits driving on a whole sofa, 3 + 3 layout long before FR-V demonstrated extravagant Fiat Multipay and Nissan-Tino in the version for the domestic market.
In Japan itself, FR-V is sold under the name of Edix, and since July 2004, and is equipped only with automatic KP with a 2.0-liter and 1.7-liter engine. In Europe, unlike Russia, there is also a diesel (2.2 liters, 140 hp) modification and version with automatic transmission.
PER
Convenient interpretation of the cabin, attractive appearance, excellent engine, comfortable suspension, high quality manufacturing
AGAINST
High price, low elements of the front bumper, lack of modification with automatic transmission
Honda FR-V 2.0
common data
Body (number of places/doors)
Universal (6/5)
Equipped mass, kg
1455
Length x width x height, mm
4285x1810x1625
Base, mm
2680
Front/back, mm track
1550/1560
Speed, km/h
195
Acceleration time 0100 km/h, with
10.5
Fuel consumption, l/100 km highway/city
6.9/11.0
Engine
Location
Front transversely
Design
gasoline, in-line, 4-cylinder (6-cyl.)
Working volume, SMZ
1998
Power, L.S. at rpm
150/6500
Torque, kgsm at rpm
19/4000
Chassis
Drive unit
On the front wheels
Transmission
Mechanical 6-speed
Suspension:
independent, spring, with stabilizers
spring
on transverse triangular levers
behind
Mollycent
Steering
rhealenic type with hydraulic power steering
Brakes
disk, in front ventilated
Tires
205/55 R16
Anton Utkin, photo of Maxim Goncharov and Honda
Source: Magazine buy a car [10/2005]