Test drive Nissan Tiida (Versa) Sedan since 2006 sedan

Conservative Tiida

The new Nissan model is designed for those who are tired of progress
A little patience, dear reader. Because I want to start a story about this car non-trivial, from the statement of the vice president of Nissan Carlos Tavares. His words may seem boring to someone, but they perfectly reflect the creature of the car, its concept. The general trend indicates that the top manager says that the automotive industry is constantly striving to offer the buyer something new, bold and radically different from the existing one. However, this path is fraught with the loss of a huge number of potential buyers who do not share such a point of view. Nissan Tiida was created specifically for them. To get acquainted with the embodiment of a concept so unusual for a modern automotive industry, we went to Krakow.
Two I
Before indicating my impressions of the passenger compartment, I must share some considerations about its appearance. If they are briefly expressed, then they are like two I in the name dual.
On the one hand, we have a clearly formulated thought: Nissan Tiida is designed for those who do not agree, let's say, with the pace and radicalism with which the appearance of the machines changes. The traditional values \u200b\u200bof Nissan, I will allow myself to quote a press release, this is a calm appearance and conservatism. And although I personally relate myself more likely to the supporters of progress, it should be noted that in general, the appearance of Tiida is really calm, does not cause negative emotions, and moreover, it was not at all old -fashioned, which could be assumed in the meaning of the quotes. Moreover, the designers were quite able to combine traditional forms with relevant design trends.
Conceptions for the preservation of traditions and healthy conservatism, expressed about the obvious presence of the Nissan branded style, fortunately did not prevent the creators from making a fairly original car. Pay attention to the headlights, to the radiator grill and as if the hood flowing from the front racks. And also on the angle of inclination of the glass of the fifth door and its shape is very pretty, and in addition, this design facilitates access to the rear seat. By the way, Tiida is built on the Note platform, although it is significantly larger than this model in terms of dimensions. Despite the same wheelbase of 2600 mm, the Tiida length exceeds Note by 212 mm, by 5 width, but in height of the hatchback by 15 mm below. Moreover, there will be such a beloved sedan in Russia, which is 179 mm longer than the hatchback. And yet, for my taste, the appearance of the new items is ambiguous, if only because in the profile and stern the hatchback reminds me of the existence of Peugeot 307.
There is enough space for everyone
Nissan Tiida is one of the largest cars in its class. If not in overall dimensions, then in space inside for sure. The length of the salon is 1839 mm, which is 119 mm more than in the same Peugeot 307, or 52 mm than even in Opel Vectra. And Passat? 55 mm in favor of Nissan! As a result, in the back seat you feel like in a business class sedan. Moreover, for greater functionality of the salon in the hatchback, the rear seats can move forward/backward within 240 mm, increasing the luggage compartment. By the way, it is 272 liters if the seat is pushed back as much as possible, and 463 liters, if the backs are folded. At the sedan, the pillows of the rear seats do not move, but its trunk is also large 467 liters. In addition, in the sedan of the back of the seats you can fold.
The front seats, and this was especially emphasized by the designers, the widest in the classroom. They are like a Nissan Murano crossover. And, coupled with a large range of adjustments, can guarantee a convenient landing driving even a giant. However, one thing, in the sense of the right position behind the steering wheel, I did not like the lack of longitudinal adjustment of the steering column. It moves only in height, and in the end it seemed to me that I was too long -legged. If when the clutch pedal is squeezed, the left leg is slightly bent at the knee, the hands barely reach the steering wheel. Or the back had to be installed directly perpendicular to the pillow. It’s not too convenient to go in a stressful position, and you had to move closer to the pedals. And the leg remained unnecessarily bent at the knee. Of course, in the end I somehow adapted, but these experiments, I admit, were somewhat tired. However, this did not prevent me from evaluating the decoration of the interior.
I guess that, as part of an official event, reporters were offered cars in top-compartment. But, be that as it may, but the plastic is textured and not hard, the front racks are sheathed with some kind of soft material. But in general, the interior is typical for the latest generation of Nissan. The protruding central console is massive, there is an audio system on it, and in the top version there are also a control unit of some functions of the on-board computer, as well as a color monitor. True, it is not yet clear whether the display will be preserved in the trim levels for Russia. It is not clear in what form the climate control unit in the cabin is represented just below that its configuration depends on the presence of the monitor.
In front of the driver, the instrument panel, which I would call dynamic, and which practically copies that for Mazda3. Fortunately, at least the steering wheel is typically Nissanovsky 3-spokes, with a whole control unit in the form of various buttons and two keys. And in addition to everything in Tiida there is no ignition and key. The work of the access system without a key is provided by a keychain that should simply be in the cabin. But there is a rotary switch that involuntarily reminded me of old American cars. True, I managed to launch the Tiida engine on the second attempt, since I did something wrong at first. But the motor nevertheless rumbled, and honestly, I left an attempt to thoroughly deal with the algorithm of the switch. Let's go and okay!
Where to rush? ..
Calm so calm, apparently decided in Nissan, and endowed Tiida with friendliness and equanimity. You somehow immediately understand that there is no need to wait for special driver impressions of the car. Especially if under the hood of a 1.6 liter engine, which is distinguished by a balanced character. He is very burdened on the bottom and pretty cheerful in the middle. However, after 5,000 rpm, the motor begins to sour, so there is no much point in promoting it to the limiter. On the other hand, such settings are perfect for a city where the owner is guaranteed a rather frisky start from a place and quite decent acceleration. Of course, well-chosen transfer numbers of a mechanical 5-speed KP play a significant role in the dynamics of the machine. By the way, only a 1.6-liter engine can aggregate with a 4-speed automatic, which is offered as an option. I happened to try it and I can say that the automatic transmission is not too quick. If upwards are switched quite quickly, then when pressing the accelerator, the electronics is in no hurry to stick the lower speed. Therefore, this version of Tiida is designed for very calm drivers.
For those who prefer a hotter, I would recommend paying attention to the most powerful modification with a 1.8-liter 126-horsepower engine. It is aggregated exclusively with a 6-speed mechanical KP and gives very good sensations during acceleration. However, a spoonful of tar makes that this engine, which, by the way, as well as a 1.6-liter engine is equipped with variable phases of gas distribution, is practically no lower basins. Until 2000-2500 rpm, he does not pull, but comes to life at medium speeds and completely good upstairs. If you support it in the working range somewhere between 3000-5500 rpm, the owner is guaranteed a completely dynamic drive. By the way, any manual transmission has a very clear course of the lever, and the clutch pedal, even if at first it seems too soft, is in fact quite informative. The same can be said about the brake pedal. And there are no complaints to the power of the calipers equipped with ABS, they are able to quickly stop the car on any coating. The ESP electronic stabilization system is offered as an option for all versions of Tiida.
I could only say about pendants that made a quite favorable impression. I can state that the engineers managed to find a successful compromise between comfort and controllability, which is expressed in small body rolls on the turns and very predicted car behavior in any situation. To stability at any speed and on any coatings, there are also no complaints. A couple of times I caught myself thinking that I entered the turn at a higher speed, but Tiida sensitively perceived my teams, demonstrating insufficient rotation. Even in the case of dumping gas in the turn, the rear wheels did not show a tendency to skidding, which, from the point of view of security, is simply great. In addition, the progressive characteristic of the steering electric amplifier formed a clear picture on the steering wheel. Moreover, at low speeds, the steering wheel is light, which helps active maneuvering, and with rising speed, as expected, it will noticeably heavy.
And one more point that I cannot but pay attention to Tiida has excellent sound insulation. Small pebbles, often found on Polish roads, do not polish the wheel arches, as in many Asian cars. And only at high speeds did the aerodynamic noise appear from large rear -view mirrors.
Autumn debut
Yes, Tiida markets will enter the autumn. For this reason, apparently, there are no exact specifications and prices for the Russian market. However, as it was possible to find out in a private conversation with Nissan representatives, while the planned starting price is at an mark of 18,500 dollars. And the top version, with a 1.8-liter engine, equipped with almost all possible options, will cost about 24 thousand. I can’t say that it’s cheap, however, if you look at competitors, such prices look quite logical. After all, as the company's representatives assured, it will already be well equipped in the Tiida database. Most likely, we are talking about an electric drive of glasses and mirrors, air conditioning, central remote control and audio system.
As for the audience in Russia, it is unlikely that there will be difficulties. The number of rather conservative buyers is great in our country. In addition, the market is developing at such a rapid pace that we can say that now everything that can ride.
Text: Andrey Osipov
Photo by Nissan

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 11 (123), 2007]