Test drive Mazda MPV 1995 - 1998
Funned Mazda
We arrived in Minsk to take part in the presentation of the new Mazda MPV car for the Belarusian market, which happened in the twenties of December. Our long -standing acquaintances of the Holpi company, the official Mazda dealer in Belarus, arranged a trip. Minsk met us with strong frost and large snowdrifts. Mazda MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) is a multi -purpose car. According to the domestic, sufficiently outdated classification, it can be attributed to the universals of increased capacity, which are between conventional station wagons and mini-wenes. But outwardly, Mazda MPV gives the impression of something between a universal with a high roof and an SUV, especially an enlarged road clearance and wheel arches that can accommodate the suspension inherent in off-road vehicles are striking.
Mazda MPV debut took place in 1989 in the North American market, then the car appeared in Europe. The design of the car was successful. In 1995, restyling was carried out, which changed the shape of the front wings, hood, front bumper, headlights and radiator cladding. This gave MPV some resemblance to Mazda 929. The back of the body also underwent changes. They touched the bumper and the block of lighting equipment. The car presented in Minsk is the last modification of Mazda MPV, dating back to 1996 model year.
The car is 7 -seater, with three rows of seats, the first and second are designed for two, the rear - for three passengers. Middle and rear seats can be folded or removed. At the same time, a spacious luggage compartment is formed, which you want to call the room - the height of the cabin is such that it can be freely moved on it, only slightly bending down.
The seats are installed higher than in ordinary cars, between the front and medium there is a passage. It seems that you are in the cabin of a small aircraft. The impression is strengthened by the reclining armrests of the seats. The seats of the second row have longitudinal adjustment, which allows to accommodate on them is quite convenient. On the gallery with this, too, everything is in order.
The presentation of Mazda MPV was held in the technical center of the Holpi company, so it was possible to inspect the car in all details. Under the hood is longitudinally located V-shaped gasoline six with multi-point injection. The working volume of the engine is 2954 cm cubic meter, power154 l. With. (5000 vol./Min.). The maximum torque 228 Nm falls on 4000 rpm. The engine is interesting. Lower to 8.5 degree of compression increases its resource and makes it possible to use gasoline with an octane number 92, which is important in Belarus and in Russia. Each cylinder has 3 valves, all 18 valves are driven by three camshafts. The box is mechanical, 5-speed.
When the car was driven onto the lift, it turned out that it was rear -wheel drive, although there is a full -wheel drive modification in the range. The cardan shaft is equipped with an intermediate support, the rear bridge is unreasonable. The dependent suspension according to the kinematic scheme is close to the well -known Fiat design, which was replicated by the Volga Automobile Plant in millions of copies - longitudinal efforts are transmitted to the body with four rods, and transverse perceives the traction of Panar.
The front suspension is independent - Macpherson, on powerful forged levers consisting of two parts that are rigidly connected by bolts. Both the front and behind there are reptile stability stabilizers, the front looks even more powerful than the rear. In general, everything is made solid and makes the impression of strength and reliability.
The front brake mechanisms for this heavy (equipped mass 1720 kg, full - 2355 kg) circular ventilated cars, with a floating two piston bracket. The rear ones are also disk, but non -prefabricated. The drive of the pressure control regulator of the brake circuit of the rear wheels is interestingly made. The role of the usual torsion is played by a cylindrical compression spring. The fuel tank is installed under the seats of the right side and closed with plastic protection, and the exhaust system is located under the left. Such a layout became possible due to the increased height of the car floor. A full -size reserve hangs under the floor in the back of the body on a rotary bracket, which drops off the handle in the cabin near the rear door. We occupy a driver's place. The seat has adjustments along the length and tilt of the back, the range of which is sufficient for a person of any height. Due to the fact that the seats above the floor are raised higher than in cars, there is something from the bus in landing, but the road in front of the car is visible perfectly.
Review is also improved by the large area of \u200b\u200bglazing. The seat holds the driver well, and the hands occupy a convenient and natural position on the steering wheel. First, the left door interferes, to which the driver's seat is pulled quite close, but you quickly get used to it and begin to use it as an additional support.
Torpedo looks quite modern. The devices are in sight and do not overlap the steering wheel even in corners. The steering column is adjustable. In the hub of the steering wheel - a pillow, the second pillow is hidden in the upper part of the torpedo in front of the front passenger. All governing bodies, as they say, are at hand. Comfort items include electric windows and remote control of external mirrors.
It is time to try the car in motion. We were offered a route from the technical center of the hollpie to one of the holiday houses in the picturesque environs of Minsk. The day turned out to be excellent - frost and sun. We start the motor, it works with a low rumble, softened by good sound insulation of the cabin. The clutch drive pleases with softness and at the same time informativeness, winter shoes do not interfere with feeling the moment of starting grasp. The programs switch quite clearly, the size of the lever is quite acceptable. When we drove around the city, the car was stopped by the traffic police officer, but as soon as the journalistic brotherhood with cameras and video cameras at the ready, the inspector released us in the world poured out of other cars.
Our path lies with the reservoir. The car confidently moves along the rugged rug of the forest road, demonstrating the elasticity of the engine. We go to the open area, and the road disappears - the snow did its job. But we continue the movement, relying more on intuition. After some time, we still flew into a small pipe covered with snow. The front suspension worked perfectly, and the back of the car shook so that not only luggage, but also passengers flew off the seat.
We spun for a long time on the snowfield, getting used to the car. MPV habits are typically rear -wheel drive, the machine willingly put in a skid and quite predictably responds to the actions of the steering wheel and gas pedal. A mild and insensitive steering wheel spoils the picture somewhat - a powerful hydraulic wrap is too easily twisting the wheels in the snow. But you can adapt to this - turns of the steering wheel must be made with some lead, that's the whole secret. I must say that the patency of the car was beyond praise - we never got stuck in a rather deep loose snow.
We get out on the highway. The car demonstrates enviable dynamics, easily and quickly gaining speed (by passport acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 12 seconds). To moderately, a hard suspension provides comfort and good handling. On the asphalt, the force on the steering wheel increased markedly, but some paratrooper remained - apparently, the hydraulic wrap is made for American drivers.
The brakes are quite worthy, the car confidently slows down under the influence of easily dosed on the pedal. The work of the ABS had to be checked in a textbook situation - at the road to the side of the road. The car was in the right -wing wheels in the rolled snow, and with the left - on dry asphalt. And nothing - she stopped, without wagging, only the pedal appeared on the vibration characteristic of the work that worked.
The last stage of testing was held on a motocross highway. The first bulk hill we passed confidently. The second - higher - was too tough, the car touched the ground with the protection of the gas tank. Freed from captivity, examined the car - no damage, only the snow was packed between the protection and the tank. On this we decided to finish. Nevertheless, MPV is not a cross motorcycle, but in real operating conditions of the car crossiness is quite sufficient.
In general, Mazda MPV is a convenient and roomy car for a large family, on which you can go out of town or go on a trip. And in the city stream on this car you will not feel flawed.
Sergey Ivanov
Source: Motor magazine [No. 2/1997]
