Test drive Kia Spectra 2004 - 2009 sedan
Ino-brand
Russia is one of the few countries in which the word foreign car still sounds charming. Alas, our auto industry over the years of its absolute monopoly on the market has annoyed too many, and as a result we are ready to purchase any car, if only it was foreign. True, despite the winning foreign label, today many foreign cars can be called such a conditionally.
Reincarnated in Izhevsk and Zaporozhye Kia Spectra and Daewoo Lanos just such, non -percent foreign cars occupy worthy places in sales ratings. Comparable in price with Russian cars, both models rapidly lure those who have traveled in classics or 10th Lada family all their lives.
However, their prices are not the limit: the Ukrainian ZAZ went even further. Having made several changes to the Chevrolet Lanos configuration, he turned it into ZAZ Sens, and the cost of a new foreign car lowered below 230,000 rubles.
But are miracles possible? Is it realistic to squeeze the cost, preserving in the car everything that foreign cars value in Russia? Comparing three cars, we tried to find out where that line passes, behind which the savings on the car ends to the detriment of itself.
Sens and Chevrolet Lanos These are different machines, but they are still wrong to compare them in all respects and they have a lot in common. And their differences are such that Sens and Lanos can be considered two trims of the same car.
Outside
The popularity of Zazovsky Chevrolet was the reason for the emergence of a new most affordable Ukrainian with Korean roots. Outside, Sens reminds us of how Lanos looked in the original performance. The Korean Daewoo also looked at first, and later Doninvest Assol. In Sens, the rear lights have a different shape, and a peculiar edge of the co-car is hanging over the trunk.
In general, outwardly, Lanos, that Sens are simple cars, without a single expressive element. Which lights are more beautiful and which less decide, but, by and large, it is inappropriate to talk about beauty here
And the external difference is manifested in the nameplates: on Sens, instead of gilded crosses, the emblem of Zaza is stuck. Therefore, if, choosing a car, the buyer is worried about his reputation, it is worth taking the Zaporizhzhya emblems with a stylized image of a local hydroelectric power station, and hardly anyone finds out that the car owner saved when buying. Of course (if you do not let anyone behind the wheel), Sens differs from Lanos with an engine and gearbox. The first sets in motion a familiar still in Tavria, albeit a globally modernized unit while the motor and checkpoint (and another part of the components) come from the Polish Daewoo-FSO plant.
Prices*
In the basic and only configuration: from 227,000 rubles.
Version with automatic transmission: does not exist.
The only compilation of Sens is not rich: audio training, cup holders, opening keys of a gas tank and trunk from a salon, electronic clock ... all ... all ...
*At the rate of the Central Bank on the day of preparation of the material. Check the details with dealers.
Inside The knob of the checkpoint of the checkpoint will give out an unconventional scheme for switching the ZAZ: the back gear is in place of the fifth, and the fifth under it (right-hazard) itself. In Chevrolet, switching scheme is traditional; This is the first and, perhaps, the most noticeable difference between two cars.
The salons are very similar: both there and there, the plastic is not burdened with modern designer thought is hard and thin, inexpensive tissue upholstery of soft unwittedly, unimplified seats.
Only the rudders differ: in Sens it is a two -spoke, slippery, unusual design. However, with a certain grip, low -located knitting needles help with rotation. Although not like the Lanosovsky hydraulic wrap
The differences in the interior are due to the richest set of lanos. The steering wheel hides a pillow of safety, the wiper control panels replaced archaic twins on the front doors. Well, His Majesty air conditioning gives its presence with the corresponding button.
The differences become more obvious with established engines. Relative silence reigns in Chevrolet.
The 1.5-liter 86-horsepower Lanos engine is not heard (especially if the SENS unit works nearby: the Polish motor is more powerful and quieter). Probably knowing about the voteness of the Melitopol unit, the creators of Sens considered it possible to abandon the tachometer. Otherwise, in terms of devices, parity: indications are easily read thanks to modest design and neutral backlight.
In the rear seat, geometrically the same machines can be accommodated with comfort especially if a person sits at the wheel at the wheel (or slightly higher) growth.
There is enough space in front of the knees so as not to rest on them. However, the rear sofa for three is frankly crowded.
In move
The vibrations and noises in the Sens, which appear after turning the key in the ignition lock and significantly intensifying on the go, not think about a foreign car, but about an old lawn mower. It is the old new who work quieter.
Prices*
In the basic configuration (metallic color): from 256 230 rubles.
Maximum configuration: 289 170 rub.
The wheels recommend: in the maximum configuration there is a GUR, and air conditioning, and a driver’s airbag. Without them, Lanos is a little superior to Sens.
*At the rate of the Central Bank on the day of preparation of the material. Check the details with dealers.
The Melitopol unit of the cut on the bottoms, so it will like extremes: if you turn the wheels and stomp on the gas pedal, you will get an imitation of Rodeo. Holding an angry Melitopol motor under it is not so easy! If you arrange a pair of Lanos and Sens, then in the second gear the latter will even go forward for a short while, but on the third more powerful Chevrolet will begin to break away. As already mentioned, acoustic comfort in Lanos is much higher, vibrations and extraneous noises of the 86-horsepower engine are minimized. The engine itself provides even acceleration, slowly accelerating the sedan to the maximum 170 km/h. All the way, the arrows on the speedometer scale of the wheel are strongly held straight and do not scour in search of the best trajectory.
Transigns in Sens are included fuzzy and not always. The gearbox lever requires a rude and non -immortal attitude: in this case, the percentage of successful switching attempts will be higher. In addition, he is tilted back, closer to the driver; The second gear barely diverges with a driver's seat and a raised parking brake. Another thing is that the handbrake and the second are rarely used at the same time.
The Lanos gearbox is also not a sample of clarity, but there are no constructive disadvantages: compared with the less expensive rival, the neutral position of the lever is without problems, and the transmission is turned on upon request.
Another difference between Sens: it is difficult to rotate the steering wheel without hydraulic power steering even a strong and muscular person. And at speed to do this is even more difficult. The hydraulic wrap in many respects determined different impressions of both Ukrainians, distributing a plus and minus between them. In Sens, after a car with a gur, it is better not to sit down!
These are different machines, but they are still wrong to compare them in all respects and they have a lot in common. And their differences are such that Sens and Lanos can be considered two trims of the same car.
We did not find differences in the brakes and suspension all the more so since they are identical. The brakes are medium. Compared to Kia Spectra, it may seem that they are ineffective, this is rather associated with the characteristics of the Izhevsk model, the story of which ahead.
The fact that the SENS suspension is taken from Lanos correctly: in terms of balance and stability, the chassis of both Ukrainians deserves good assessments. There are rolls, but they do not particularly affect controllability; Small and small pits are absorbed quietly, but hard. Both cars easily go in a skid, but also easily come out of it.
Kia Spectra (W) Outside
Like the new Ukrainian Kia, it does not flaunt the witty exterior. Calm lines of small, by American standards, sedan hint at the era of conquering the Japanese auto industry of the New World. It is not surprising: it was this task that the Korean company has set itself a decade ago!
However, this is the modest appearance of the spectra for many years to us that will not stand out from the stream either by beauty or ugliness.
Inside
And again, Japanese America: the smooth lines of the torpedo, additional digitization of the speedometer in miles, the bandine compartment of the radio. There is no radio itself, but an audio training is made and there is even an antenna with an electric drive (!) On the rear wing.
The scattering of the buttons is quite reasonably and ergonomically interspersed into the beard and the near -corral space, but the joystick of electric drives of mirrors is located in the very place where the Germans have the control of external light inconvenient and illogical. However, this place would still be empty.
Prices* In the basic configuration: from 333,000 rubles.
Complex with automatic transmission: from 409,000 rubles.
Maximum configuration: from 423,000 rubles.
Wheels recommend: the most sophisticated version with manual transmission: GUR, ABS, air conditioning, fog, electric package and other pleasant surprises.
*At the rate of the Central Bank on the day of preparation of the material. Check the details with dealers.
External lighting is turned on by turning the knob of the left steering wheel switch and, according to the tradition that has prevailed in the Korean company, works on the principle of turned on and forgot. In the literal sense: after the driver drowned the engine and opened the door, smart electronics independently extinguishes headlights and dimensions. And such a solution fit into the SPectra concept as well as possible.
Soft enough chairs hint at the possibility of rest at the wheel. The overall impression of the spaciousness in the cabin is confirmed by other factors: the feeling of the elbow on the front row does not arise, and the passengers of the second do not rest. And light upholstery visually increases the space.
In such an atmosphere, the average quality of plastic does not irritate, especially since the main plastic part in the car the steering wheel lies well in the hands and is pleasant to the touch. The lever of the machine gun selector does not cause complaints and moving along the archaic straight slice.
Taken to the company to Asian-Ukrainians of the Korean-American-Udmurt Spectra, compared to the standard of comfort. On board a complete electric package and air conditioning, and in the depths of the structure an automatic transmission is hidden. ABS, a steering column and two airbags, insured by the driver and front passenger, are increased in passive and active safety.
But the price is matching the configuration and the most dimensions of the machine. Our Spectra is estimated at more than 430,000 rubles. However, this is a top equipment, but even a base with a mechanical checkpoint costs fifty thousand rubles more than the most expensive Chevrolet Lanos.
In move
In the movement, this Kia continued intra -sulfate impressions. The sedan on the handle accelerates to 100 km/h for 12 s, but the car with the automatic transmission spends on this one and a half seconds more.
However, the car does not suffer from the engine. The machine was attacked, suffering with standard hydromechanical gearboxes with jerks during switching, delays during attempts to accelerate and inability of transitions for reduced gear. On the other hand, a change of programs without the participation of the driver luxury, inaccessible to other participants in the test. A sluggish acceleration rhythm is a small fee for calmness and relaxation at the wheel. However, as sellers notice, this machine does not in demand does not are in demand all the more since the car clearly goes beyond the budget scope.
In the exercises for the controllability of Spectra, a typical American is again a typical American: a lazy, steppe car sluggishly reacts to the turns of the steering wheel, but, standing on the arc, holds it well.
And most of all I liked its powerful brakes. Perhaps they are even overly sharp: traveling from behind may not have time to react, and the cloves of the body will probably not please passengers.
Cars are provided by Atlant-M Baltika
Text: Wheels
Photo: Roman Ostanin
Source: Wheel magazine [No. 120/2007]
