Opel Agila test drive since 2008 hatchback

Baby from the future

The Russian fleet is growing a giant pace, traffic jams are becoming more closely, and parking spaces are more scarce. Therefore, no, no, but think about buying something pretty, comfortable and compact. Like, for example, the new Opel Agila
Opel Agila. Price: Not defined. On sale: since 2009
Again, fascinated, I’ll go along the road of disappointment. Words from the old song of the Resurrection were annoying in the head when meeting with the new generation of the compact universal AGILA universal combine. The road of predecessor was paved with disappointment, who never got to Russia because of the high price and unsuccessful appearance. But the car was distinguished by outstanding practicality so revered by Europeans. Over seven years of production in the Old World, more than 440 thousand cars were sold.
The second, no less functional version of Agila, unlike its predecessor, can truly charm. Designers were able to implant the soul into the car, which he readily opens the first person hearing. The bright colors of the AGILA body will easily paint the mean shocks of the working weekdays of a small family or increase the girlish joy from the surrender of the first session. It was steamed in the works, looked out into the window and the mood went up sharply. Here she is standing, beauty, blushes in the greenery of trees. A glorious, positive car! Each trifle gives his kindness: the charming tonsils of the headlights, and the smiling grille of the radiator, and the dimples of the fog on the cheeks of a massive bumper. In addition, the machine is not devoid of dynamic features.
To create such an impression, the developers tried to convey in the design the initial movement of the arrow released from the bow. If you look at the car in the profile and turn on the imagination, there really is something in common. This is noticeable in the rear racks, which seemed to bend under the blow of the bowstring. According to their width, one can also imagine the volume of the trunk, where a pair of small road bags is placed. However, 225 liters for this class are not so bad. In addition, the back of the rear seat easily folds with one hand by turning a special lever, and then the capacity of the compartment increases 4.5 times. At the same time, the number of adults passenger seats is doubled by lightning speed. The three of us are very difficult to get in the back, requiring special harmony from volunteers.
Ahead of the free space is larger. Places, of course, are also not in abundance, but it is enough not to annoy his elbows to the neighbor. However, for the first time being in the cabin, it is unlikely that it will be possible to avoid this because of the pink through the edge of emotions. I would like to feel multi -colored plastic, try revolutions from a cup of a tachometer exiled upstairs of the dashboard, and take under the visor of instruments hanging over a lone speedometer. In other words, the car clearly traces the harmony of the interior with the appearance.
It is a pity, the enthusiasm of a fellow, suitable for such a bright model, was not fate to see. The temperament of the top 1.2 -frail gasoline engine in fact turned out to be only even. In straight sections, the 86-horsepower engine coped well with the modest mass of the car, without panting on the bottom and not requiring active work by the lever of a 5-speed manual. There was, however, there were no bright dynamic bursts, even when moving to a lower stage and pressing the accelerator. But the failures were. The climb in the hill demanded truly titanic efforts from the motor. He quickly exhaled and with a fading turnover panickically signaling the need to urgently change the transmission.
So the target audience of the model of young and energetic people with an active lifestyle will probably be boring without drive. Unless this is the first car purchased to consolidate independent driving skills. Moreover, Opel Agila is controlled and predictable. For training the most. With a fairly short tight steering wheel, the compact will be eagerly walking along the trajectory, the harsh suspension does not allow to fall on its side strongly, and tenacious brakes confidently slow down the car.
How much will the single -coater in Russia still remain a mystery. If you take the minimum cost of a car in Germany for a guideline, and this, by the way, is 9990 constantly growing euro, a warm welcome Russian buyer is unlikely to provide a novelty. We still have a poorly in principle in principle, and for that kind of money and even more so. So much will depend on the price policy that GM will decide to adhere to when the model is displayed to our market. And there is a time for thinking: Opel Agila will appear with us only next year.
He used to be different
The 2000 Geneva car dealership showed the world the first generation of Opel Agila. A compact, spacious and economical car has established itself well in Europe, where the appearance of the machine may well compete in the power of attractiveness, for example, with environmental friendliness. In contrast, our people have a polar opinion regarding the design. So sales in Russia decided not to start ... And this decision turned out to be correct: the complete analogue of the Suzuki Wagonr +model, which was still brought to our market, diverged from the hands badly. For the period 20022005 A little more than 300 cars are sold.
Driving
There are no significant complaints to controllability, and you expect more interesting speakers from this version.
Salon
Cute and attractive. A great gift for your beloved for the next March 8!
Comfort
Convenient seats compensate for the rigidity of the suspension.
Safety
ABS, the front and lateral pillows of the driver and the front passenger and the ISOFIX mounts are already in the database. He would have more active security systems.
Price
So far remains a mystery.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Pretty appearance, spacious for this class, a salon, good obedience to the steering wheel.
- A phlegmatic engine, a limited space for the rear seat passengers.
Specifications
Mark and model - Opel Agila 1.2
Dimensions - 3740x1680x1590 mm
Engine - gasoline, in -line, 4 -cylinder, 1242 cm3, 86 hp/5500 min -1
Transmission - mechanical, 5 -speed
Dynamics - max 175 km/h; 12.3 s to 100 km/h
Competitors - Mitsubishi Colt, Nissan Micra
Our opinion
This attractive car has more chances to find customers in Russia than a strange predecessor. It is a pity that the class of subcompacts is not so popular with us. And the price continues to be not the last factor when choosing a car. And now GM has the opportunity to change the purchasing attitude to such models if the cost of Agila does not go beyond understanding.

Author: Dmitry Tytyuchenko
   
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [March 2008]