Jeep Compass test drive since 2006 crossover
Magnetic declination
The compass arrow always shows north. But if you go in the direction indicated by it, you will not find yourself at the North Pole, but somewhere in the Arctic Ocean off the coast of Canada, several thousand kilometers from this pole. That the geographical and magnetic poles of the Earth does not coincide, every student knows who did not skip geography lessons. The angle on the map between geographical and magnetic meridians is called magnetic declension. However, we’ll ride a jeep-compass for a rather geography!
FOR THE FIRST TIME
Throughout the 65-year history of the brand, the jeep became famous for the creation of reliable cars that could seriously expand the freedom of movement. But today's Europe no longer needs extraordinary off -road abilities to show them almost nowhere. In price, comfort, efficiency, ease of operation. As a result, the new jeep was the first built on a passenger platform (the same as that of Dodge Caliber). At home, in the United States, customers will also be offered a front -wheel drive option, and compasses with four leading wheels and gasoline engines will arrive in Russia in the fall. The debut of the diesel version is postponed until next year, and the front-wheel drive machines will not at all be a relative dodge-caliber.
It is impossible to confuse a jeep compass with another car. In round headlights and seven vertical cracks at the front end, you unmistakably recognize the breed. It is emphasized from the side of the characteristic trapezoid cuts of wheeled arches, a huge compass inscription over the entire bumper. From other representatives of their family, the jeep compass externally distinguishes massive triangular body racks, which pretty interfere with reversing maneuvering. The appearance of the younger, the most affordable jeep (in America its price is from $ 15,985), let's say, it is ambiguous. Terrible forms go to large cars, and the compact all -around is made heavy. However, this is a matter of taste: someone will seem quite pretty, a round-eyed cheek hamster with a massive and rather low planted body.
Acquaintance with the car began with the trunk, because our ultimate goal is the Stockholm airport, and it is better to keep bags with things with you. The luggage is small, however, the sizes of the compartment are not impressive in depth from it from leaving an impressive reserve, a short rear overhang, a bulky box of the subwoofer on the right side. There is nothing to do nothing to sacrifice victims. The back of the front passenger chair folds, turning into a comfortable table.
Of course, lovers of mini-wenes are unlikely to impress such little things, and for the jeep such a luxury is new. In the back seat of the place and in the width and in height, even large persons will be enough. I would like a pillow higher, but then I will have to sacrifice a comfortable landing in the car or high to the ceiling. So, in a circle reached the driver's seat here, with the exception of trifles, full order. You can only lay down on a limited steering wheel and unusually hard seats. However, they are quite successful along the contour, at least you don’t slip off the leather pillow in the bend.
When you look at the interior, the impression changes. The coarse chopped jeep has always had its fans. But the quality of plastic confidently points to an inexpensive machine a stylish and angular design is not able to ennoble the echoing and hard to the touch panel. Although she does not make any sounds on the go, I don’t want to touch her once again.
The compass is not just the name of the model, this is a style. Even the rims of devices resemble compass scale. Tiny corners-shootings divide them into four parts according to the number of the parties to the world. The design of the instrument panel is complemented by branded matrix displays, which are now characteristic of many models of the Daimler-Coisler concern.
And diesel Volkswagen
Time does not wait, there is still a considerable way around the Stockholm Bay and two ferry crossings. Under the measured rumble of an unheated diesel, we leave the parking lot. You have to get used to the high position of a long gear lever, but, having adapted, you understand that enlarged moves help not to get confused in six gears. Diesel is ready to take to any of them, provided that the turns will not fall below 1500. In addition, the compass is the only jeep that fits in a combined cycle of 7 l/100 km. To explore the dynamics and handling of local highways, it is hardly possible to limit the speed of 90 km/h. It is not surprising that the declared fuel consumption quickly finds confirmation on the screen of the on -board computer. If at the wheel of an octavia or golf a two -liter turbodiesel is a motor with unlimited capabilities, then a slightly heavier, less streamlined and shod -shored jeep compass somewhat cools its ardor. However, for confident overtaking and cruising 130 km/h it is enough with the head. Yes, and the car itself is distinguished by quite passenger habits. From the point of view of the driver, the compass resembles a jeep only a characteristic profile of the front panel and hood for the rest, this is a modern front -wheel drive car without sports ambitions with a good energy -intensive suspension. Just for our roads.
Having six gears, it is easy to choose the optimal engine mode that will not bother with high speeds and noise, noticeable only because the rest of the sources of extraneous sounds are carefully suppressed. Compact size and well -visible hood allow you to feel confident in the city crowding, but not all maneuvers are easily given to the compass. Small wheeled niches limit the angles of rotation of 17-inch wheels to turn into one reception behind a car does not always succeed. It was possible to get acquainted with the gasoline machine and the variator only on an off -road highway. Offassive for the SUV? Yes, with such a massive and low front bumper? However, the angle of entry of the compass 21 degrees is not so bad for the car on the passenger chassis.
The track laid in the Swedish pine forest only a little reminiscent of the Russian primer. Although prolonged rains pretty wet the soil, the sandy soil under it remained hard. Under these conditions, the compass did not confidently confidently rowing with all the wheels, although occasionally struck a belly on the ruts. And the variator withstand all the bullying. In this, he was helped by the hydromoft, playing the role of adhesion on the off -road, she saves a drive belt from slipping and overheating. In the most difficult conditions, the blocking of another coupling replaces the center differential helps out. It can be locked with a small lever on the central console.
Where does the shooter look?
Jeep Compass did not escape magnetic declination towards good roads. Most owners of all -wheel drive cars also try not to leave them. The market for compact alternate in Europe promises to grow by 56 thousand cars by 2010 and approach 400 thousand per year. In Russia, a jeep compass will appear this fall from 24,900 euros ($ 31,625) for modification with a mechanical gearbox and a gasoline engine and from 25,800 euros ($ 32,770) with a variator. In standard configuration, all cars will be equipped with air conditioning, frontal airbags, alarm, ABS, ESP and, of course, a compass. The drive is complete!
Regardless of whether the jeep compass is equipped with a diesel or gasoline engine, the basis of its full -wheel drive is the two -stage ECC friction clutch. The electromagnet that receives commands from the control unit affects the fisting coupling, which compresses friction discs that transmit torque to the rear wheels. In addition to an automatic connection, such a system can also work in a rigid lock mode (like blocking the center differential), improving cross -country ability in difficult conditions. Unlike other all -wheel drive systems, the Freedom Drive I transmission does not require information about the speed of rotation of the wheels, it should be laid for the distribution of torque and does not prevent the operation of ABS and stabilization systems.
Compass is a real jeep
Only for city streets.
Anatoly Fomin
A source: The magazine "Driving"
