Test Drive Mitsubishi Space Star 2002 - 2006 Minivan

High-fashion

When the city land becomes too expensive, the buildings begin to grow up. An example of high-altitude architecture among cars - updated Mitsubishi Space Star.
Space Star - the car is not new, but with all that it is difficult to call it popular with us. Last year, only 166 units were sold in Russia. Compared to three thousand carism - just tears. In Europe - differently. Where many people are, and there are few places, Space Star has become the most-selling machine from the whole range of Mitsubishi.
And here in the salons of European dealers released a place for Space Star 2003 model year. This is an updated car, although the press release strongly warns journalists that it is not just a plastic surgery. This is the face of the entire new European series Mitsubishi.
Who is new. In principle, the existing Space Star has not yet managed to make up, nor go. This model appeared in 1998 and brought the bridge over the precipice separating the class of compact hatchbacks and MPV category. She became the first swallow among high C-class cars, better known as a golf class.
 
 
For Mitsubishi, this is a very important definition: it is the high C-class car, and not compact. The apliance of the manufacturer for young students is not accidental. The fact is that the Space Star buyer is surprisingly predictable: in six cases out of ten, he moved to this car from five-door hatchback. The age of buyers is also known: each second is from 30 to 40 years. This person is still easy to rise, but no longer wants to refuse himself in comfort.
 
Space Star Salon has a lot in common with the sister in the conveyor - model Carisma
 
Space Star cargo liters are gaining due to the height of the roof - and at first glance, the trunk seems very small. But if the passenger is one, the rear seat can be moved forward
Mitsubishi introduced 20 changes to the car. The most essentials are. Due to the new bumpers, the car has become longer on the whole ... 1.5 cm. Space Star has a new head optics: before, in fashion, the entire block headlight was white, with an orange bulb of the turn signal, today the light bulb covers the stained glass (such an update, Note, not only Mitsubishi is engaged). In the rear lights appeared no less fashionable round scatter.
It seems more important to change the color of the model and the change in technology of painting - it has become a two-step, that is, better. But it is easiest to be easiest to distinguish the Space Star 2003 by the branded emblem with three diamonds. Previously, she was red, and became silver. For her and on the inscription on the stern, you will find out a new car and can even show yourself a car connoisseur.
The interior of the car is without that successful - has changed slightly. Armrests in front and rear appeared in the list of standard equipment, the central console is visually highlighted by the framework. At the request of the workers - namely, it was presented at the presentation - reduced the diameter of the steering wheel. The difference is small - 16 mm, but still allows you to feel the sports car. From myself, we note that the sports sharpening of the car is not at all in the steering wheel and taxi, but in another property - the ability to translate a lot of sports inventory. But this, you know, do not reproach.
 
GO. When you sit in Space Star, you will not leave the feeling that you are driving a car if not the class above, then at least a class more. First - landing. High and almost vertical, like on a minivan, jeep or gazelle (some comparison is closer). By the way, it is very convenient: and sit and watch. But this is nonsense compared to the fact that even with a very convenient position for a high driver, it remains a very decent place for the passenger, because the vertically sitting passenger also takes a little place (and standing less, but then the city bus will turn out).
With the location of the instruments, pedals and other items that are customary to be interested in the driver, everything is so normal that I don't even want to say - why, if everything is in place?
The Space Star is impressive with his own solidity. With the engine of 1.8 liters, the car does not tupit, does not show miracles of performance, and it is quite consistent with its utilitarian purpose. A sharp pressing of the gas pedal, short-term advanced engine and automatic transmission and, alas, not the following hurricane acceleration suggest that the car is not created for quick ride. But with a calm movement, it fully corresponds to reciprocity: very smooth move and almost accurate feeling of comfort. During a test drive, held in Holland, where, together with the Carisma model and collect Space Star, Nirvana was broken once, a blow on the bottom and metal clang when driving at an innocent Moscow speed of 40--50 km / h. But even here the company has nothing to put in reproach: ours, Russian cars at the factory rise by 1.5 cm relative to the Eurostandard.
 
Doboader. Partly updated the gamma motors. As it was, it remained a gasoline engine 1.3 liters (82 hp). But Russian dealers refused him, as soon as the engine was 1.6 liter appeared, today the only one offered with us: the price of it is almost like 1.3, and the power is more - 98 hp Upgraded Turbodiesel 1.9 L (115 hp) To us, again, they will not be lucky: in the country where the fuel is cheap, he has no big prospects. But it is very nice - Space Star with a gasoline engine of 1.8 liters (112 hp) will be available in Russia. Previously, the engine with this volume was also, but he had a direct GDI injection (122 hp) and quite a high cost: the car went out at a price beyond $ 20 thousand. Therefore, it was not imported. Now the engine is 1.8, has a normal multipoint injection, the price of the engine fell, and wait for the premiere in the Russian market in the fall.
But for what the buyers of Space Star appreciated, so it is not for liters of the engine, but for liters of space for loading. The main quality, capacity, the car remains up to 1370 liters of conditional baggage. The rear seats not only develop that it goes without saying now, but can be shifted forward by 15 cm, released a place in the trunk. Little niche, under the first aid kit, is provided even under the front passenger seat. However, it was all before.
Realizing that the best - the enemy is good, at Mitsubishi they decided to leave everything that led the car to success. Let only in Europe.
 
Andrei Patrikeyev text and photos

Model / Modification Mitsubishi Space Star Mitsubishi Space Star
Manufacturer / Country Mitsubishi Motors / Netherlands Mitsubishi Motors / Netherlands
BODY
Number of doors / seats 5/5 5/5
ENGINE
Type petrol with electronic multipoint injection gasoline with electronic multipoint injection
Position in front, transversely in front, transversely
Working volume (cube. Cm) 1584 1834
Number / Cylinder Location 4 / Inline 4 / Inline
Power, kW (hp) with rpm. / Min. 72 (98) at 5000 82 (112) at 5500
Moment (nm at rpm. / Min.) 150 at 4000 157 at 4000
TRANSMISSION
Front front drive
Mechanical gearbox, 5-speed automatic, 4-speed, with manual switching mode
SUSPENSION
Front independent type McPherson, transverse stability stabilizer independent type McPherson, transverse stability stabilizer
Rear independent multi-dimensional spring, transverse stability stabilizer Independent multi-dimensional spring, transverse stability stabilizer
STEERING
Type of gear-rail with a hydraulic cell of the integrated type gear-rail with an integrated type hydraulic
Min. The diameter of the reversal (M) 10.4 10.4
Torkemose
Front / rear disc ventilated / disk disc ventilated / disk
ABS electronic 4-channel, EBD electronic 4-channel, EBD
Sizes / volume / weight
Length / Width / Height (mm) 4050/1715/1515 4050/1715/1515
Wheel base (mm) 2500 2500
Volume of fuel tank (L) 55 55
Mass Curb (kg) 1241 1291
Tires 185/65 R14 185/65 R14
14x5 1 / 2j 14x5 1 / 2J discs
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed (km / h) 180 180
Acceleration up to 100 km / h (sec.) 12.0 13.2
Economy
Fuel consumption of medium (l / 100 km) 7.2 8.8
The price in Moscow is from $ 15.9 thousand $ 19.2 thousand.

 

A source: "Autopilot"