Test drive Opel Corsa 5 doors 2003 - 2006 hatchback

All photos of Opel Corsa 5 doors 2003 - 2006

One field of berries?

Lada Calina
A promising family of front-wheel drive cars VAZ: VAZ-1118 sedan, VAZ-1119 hatchback, VAZ-1117 station wagon.
The start of production is scheduled for November 2004.
Gasoline engines 1.6 liters, 8 or 16 valves per cylinder, 58 kW/79 hp. and 65 kW/89 hp
The price for today is not determined. It is planned to get into a price niche between cars of the ninth and tenth families.

Volkswagen Polo
The current generation of Volkswagen Polo is represented in the fall of 2001.
The Russian market is delivered with gasoline engines of 1.2 and 1.4 liters, 47 kW/64 liters. C and 55 kW/75 l. With. and a turbodiesel 1.9 liters, 74 kW/101 hp, with mechanical and automatic gearboxes. For Europe, there are also 1.2 liters of gasoline engines, 40 kW/54 liters. With.; 1.4 l, 63 kW/86 l. With. and diesel engines 1.4 liters, 55 kW/75 liters. With.; 1.9 l, 47 kW/64 l. With.
The price with a 1.4 liter of $ 16,000.

Opel Corsa
Modern Opel Cors has been released since 2000.
Last restyling Autumn 2003 (2004 model year).
It is delivered to Russia only with gasoline engines of 1.2 and 1.4 liters, 55 kW/75 liters. p., 60 kW/ 90 l. With. with a mechanical gearbox and automated Iseronics. Europeans have access to 1.0 liters of gasoline engines, 43 kW/58 liters. With.; 1.6 liters with boost, 129 kW/175 liters. With. and diesel engines 1.7 liters, 48 \u200b\u200bkW/65 liters. With. or 55 kW/75 l. With.
The price with a 1.4 liter engine from $ 13,550.

Renault Symbol
Produced in Turkey since 1999. In small batches, the symbol is also performed in Moscow at the Autoframs enterprise.
Modernized in 2002: facelifting, a new interior and altered suspension settings.
Currently, the Russian market is presented with an 8- and 16-valve engine 1.4 liters, 55 kW/75 liters. With. and 72 kW/98 l. With. Only with a manual gearbox.

From 2001 to 2004, long -term tests were traveled at the wheel (see ZR, 2004, No. 1).
The price is from $ 10 800.

Ford Fiesta
Presented in 2002.
The Russian market is delivered with three options for gasoline engines 1.3; 1.4; 1.6 liters from 51 kW/70 liters. With. up to 74 kW/100 l. With. Aggregated with mechanical and automatic transmission. Europeans can, in addition, choose a 1.3 liter gasoline engine, 44 kW/60 liters. With. or diesel 1.4 l, 50 kW/68 liters. With.
The price with a 1.3 liter engine from $ 13,650, from 1.4 liters from $ 15,200, from 1.6 from $ 16,750. The price of a test car is $ 21,150.

It seems that next year Lada-1118 will become the most noticeable novelty of the domestic auto industry. The magazine talked about the car more than once. And therefore, having received a pre -production viburnum for the acquaintance, they decided to compare it with imported classmates who had already managed to win the sympathies of customers. Of course, we are ready to provide some head start from Kalina. Since the sample from the testing party, and the workings are not completely completed, noise, vibrations and interior materials are already outside of criticism while the kingdom of bypass technologies. But in all other respects, the car is already ready, so that the pros and cons of we discovered will appear in serial copies. Everything is known in comparison, right?
We invite you to casting

The appearance of Kalina is surprisingly calm. No controversial solutions or too bold ideas are perceived by a completely successful car, in contrast to the first impression of the dozens with which they introduced 10 (yes, ten!) Years ago. By the way, we first rode on Kalina five years ago. Her rounded lines slightly limited it, added modern optics and a project, which until recently reminiscent of the previous generation Opel Kors, pretty freshened.
The stylistic solution of the front panel cannot be called original, but the designers tried to make it memorable. The S-shaped bend and the oval of the heating and ventilation control unit are clearly traced. However, the instrument shield is not so successful in the semicircle of the speedometer and even more cut the tachometer sector, a quarter of the fuel indicators and the temperature of the coolant, all this is seen 15 years ago. The sign of our time is only an odometer on liquid crystals.
But this is subjective. But convenience and scope inside are quite amenable to an objective assessment. Among classmates, viburnum can rightfully boast of the most spacious salon. Everything else is within the normal range, there are no obvious punctures. Only when landing in the rear seat, he unexpectedly reminds of itself the stamping of the floor in the gas tank zone. She is clearly larger than the pillow and protrudes in the doorway near her feet. The floor underfoot is inclined, which inevitably forces to advance the feet, but under the front seats it is cramped. Because of this, the passenger in winter boots is arranged behind with difficulty, although there seems to be a lot of space. It is a pity, but the iron cannot be redone. But the headrests in the back seat should appear. What about classmates?

Volkswagen-Polo. He cannot be suspected of frivolity. Strict design is not able to make even round headlights to make funny headlights that the youngest in our market Volkswagen wants to be like a Mercedes-Benz E. The interior is a logical continuation of appearance. Strictly, officially, emphasized modestly. But the number of plugs is impressive what space for additional equipment! Perhaps this is the only salon in which a corporate identity is recognized without an emblem.
Also, Volkswagen Polo offers the best seats among the five and workplace of the driver. The steering column is adjustable not only in the corner of the inclination, but also in length, but a driver's seat with a good contour and a long pillow in height. Although, in terms of the length of the salon and space in the back seat, it is not a leader, Polo offers the most convenient landing both in front and behind. We only promote the absence of the rear head restraints in standard configuration.

Opel-Kors. The current one is no longer as frivolous as her predecessor. The plush appearance remained in the past, but the stylistic elements of the previous model still appear. Perhaps this appearance most consistent with this class of excessive severity, as it were, initially puts the barrier between the driver and the machine. The interior is harmoniously combined with the appearance, the settings of the standard radio (with control on the steering wheel) are displayed on a large display in the upper part. However, the salon no longer responds to the last trends of fashion.
But in the back of the back of the Opel, consider, there are no equal, in addition, only his hind back is adjusted. In the second row, a passenger is easily seduced by growth noticeably higher than the average, even more so in the driver's place. But in general, landing behind the wheel of Opel is noticeably lower than that of competitors. Although the driver of small height can fix the position in height.

Renault-Simvol. After restyling, it became more solid and modern, but it is simply impossible to confuse the characteristic gurgling profile of a small sedan with any more. A spacious trunk, added by Renault Clio of the previous generation, made a car more practical, but his appearance certainly did not benefit from this. However, this does not prevent the symbol in Russia by the best sold from our five.
But in size and ergonomics of the salon, this Renault Office. Short seats, an unregulated steering wheel, a small supply of air over the driver's head. Those who are higher than 180 cm, especially in combination with completeness, are advised to think tightly before buying Renault. In the back seat, the place is even smaller, although passengers of small stature are quite comfortable. The headrests are provided by all five, and the rear in the cleaned form does not block the review. The main trump card of the symbol is voluminous trunk. There is nothing to oppose the possibilities of this hold, only a whole back and a narrow opening from the cabin to the trunk are available to criticism.

Ford phiesta. One of the most modern cars in our five is perhaps the most attractive in appearance. Ford Fiesta is devoid of deliberate aggressiveness of a larger focus and at the same time has a well -memorable face. The fiesta 1.6 in the most expensive configuration of the GIA came to our test: it cost (on the dough day) $ 21,515.
At the same time, the list of additional equipment was not exhausted. Leather upholstery in its own way is demanding on seats lack of friction must be compensated for by form. They cope with this task well. But the convenience of the rear passengers is sacrificed. A low short pillow, an almost vertical back, there are no pens on the ceiling of a colleague that I decided to ride with us along the mountain road of the car policy, I had a hard time. The advantage of the rear bench is comfortable head restraint.
We are glad to note that, unlike the focus, the hood of the fiesta opens without a key.
On ice and asphalt

Comparison of the dynamics and running qualities of these cars is not quite legitimately different power and the volume of engines certainly make themselves felt. But while snow was lying on the roads of the landfill, we could first evaluate the controllability of the machines on all options for the ice and snow coating.

VAZ-1118 Kalina. It is impressive not by quick reactions, but by the way the suspension is adapted to Russian roads to competitors no longer on their teeth. Sometimes it seems that on Kalina you can easily quilting along a cross track. Despite the clearly sports angles of the wheel installation, the steering wheel is neither accuracy nor informativeness. The operation of the electric power capture is well noticeable not only by effort on the steering wheel, but also in a characteristic noise. The behavior on the slippery coating is understandable and predicted, although without a groovy spark, which sometimes makes a dozen instead of three circles. The new gear shift mechanism is not ideal, the lever moves have become noticeably shorter, and the clarity of fixations still leaves much to be desired. The electrical locking of turning on the reverse did not pump up, but how long will the solenoid live in salt? This is not a question for a short acquaintance.

Volkswagen-Polo. Its strength of NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) low noise and vibration, insolvency of work. At idle, the polo is practically not heard, and if next to the other machine, you can catch the engine only by looking at the tachometer. With an increase in revolutions, the voice of the motor, of course, becomes noticeable. Successfully selected gear rates allow you to squeeze all your strength out of a modest engine, and it is a pleasure to wield a short lever of the box. Add to this a comfortable and rather energy -intensive adapted suspension and we were ready to call the winner.

But insidious ice put everything in its place. Distinguished by excellent course stability, Polo sluggishly reacts to the steering wheel, the skid develops suddenly, requiring quick and accurate correction. And there is almost no reactive action on the steering wheel to catch the car not to the touch, but from memory. Strange, after all, non -adapted Polo are controlled much more pleasant. It seems that in the pursuit of the energy intensity and road clearance of the time there was not enough for a full -fledged refinement

Opel-Kors. The only one of the five was on summer tires. But, even the season shown up, Opel demonstrated intelligible behavior on ice and a well -working electrical power. At least, to feel everything that happens with the leading wheels, the eur does not interfere at all. An experimental car with a gearbox of Isetronics once again confirmed its furamat not for sports exercises, but for a measured urban ride. The compromise is no longer a simple mechanics, but not a full -fledged machine. Just a car without a clutch pedal. With all the pros and cons of the small fuel consumption to delays when switching. By the way, the updated eco-top-port engine promises a very moderate appetite. The suspension of the adapted corsa resembles: she is able to withstand our roads. But to provide decent comfort at the same time

Renault-Simvol. On a slippery road, he behaves reliably, demonstrating a non -sounding disposition and ease of control. The power steering of the steering wheel did not cause complaints. But with a suspension, it would still be worth working with good energy intensity of the smoothness of the course in small irregularities mediocre. Strange: after all, before restyling, then Clio Symbol easily swallowed such coating defects.

Apparently, trying to achieve good asphalt handling, more rigid shock absorbers were used, and comfort has left. The engine capabilities are modest, but short transfers allow you to more than compensate for the lack of traction know only, press on the gas.

Ford phiesta. Possessing the most powerful motor, it is easily cut with rivals in a straight line; The gearbox is only a little in convenience inferior to the one that is on the polo, but the main thing is how it goes! The fiesta from the back does not have a complex multi -link suspension, as on a focus, but this has not become worse. On the bare ice of equals, he was not shod in the same Gislaved NordFrost 3, like the rest, Ford demonstrated excellent understanding with the driver. And the steering wheel amplifier (hydraulic) did not become a stuttering translator between them.
With small irregularities, the fiesta suspensions coped confidently, and when it came to broken ice, their protests became too loud and tangible. There is nothing to do nothing of the only car on a European, non -adapted suspension and one of the outsiders on the road clearance of 140 mm. In addition, FIEST has very low thresholds.
TECHNICS
Classes in steel cars are extremely uniform. An engine with a five-speed box across, McEferson in front, elastic the transverse beam on longitudinal levers from behind. Very close dimensions, a base, a rut from an incubator. The doorways and layouts of the cabin seems to be also superimposed on each other so that there will be no gaps. But the ergonomics is thin: the difference of 30 mm sometimes is enough to turn the car successful in the rest in everything else. Sedan or hatchback? Here, there is no unambiguousness in Europe prefer hatchbacks, in Russia and Asia sedans with a spacious trunk.
The main thing is to sell!

Make a good car today only half the age. Sell \u200b\u200bit in half the best. And here the buyer’s desires should coincide with the proposal of the seller. We will be frank: even a person who is completely ignorant in cars is unlikely to confuse Kalina with a foreign car, especially if you let him twist the steering wheel and click on the buttons. Will these sensations change in the future? Only if components from the same factories will enter the vase conveyor as in Volkswagen, Ford or Opel. I wonder how much viburnum will cost then?
A lot of questions and in configuration, our copy was equipped with a 1.6-liter 16-valve engine and the steering electric power steering is by no means the cheapest components. It is planned that all viburnum will go with 1.6 liter engines (8- and 16-valve). But then how will the potentially more dozen with one and a half -liter engines look like? So far there are more questions than answers.
In such a dense model range, cars should be clearly distanced by the levels of the lower equipment of only basic motors and a minimum of additional equipment, the highest all in the first category. Otherwise, instead of increasing sales, we predict the opposite effect called marketers of cannibalism: the new model eats sales of a car close in class, and expenses are growing instead of growth.
One, two, three, viburnum!

If you see in Kalina a shift in modernized Samara, then we are sure of such continuity would be perceived, if not with enthusiasm, then with approval. A modern car, albeit somewhat smaller dimensions, but cheaper dozens and at least with the same level of quality would become a very attractive offer. But with the advent of Kalina on the conveyor, neither Samara nor even dozens will stop making dozens! So, she will have to squeeze into a narrow niche between them. And how then to justify the costs of mastering the mass (220 thousand per year) production?
It turns out a rather contradictory picture with obvious constructive advantages to compete with imported analogues Kalina will be difficult even in the native field. This car is designed for Russian conditions and hardly arouse interest among a sophisticated European user there is more important equipment, reliability and service, and the road clearance and energy intensity of the suspension is not even from the second row. But at home, Kalina, of course, with proper quality of execution, can wait for a well -deserved success. The main thing is to be in the right place at the right time.

Compact loops and gas stops do not appear in the trunk of the trunk.
Plus 100 cubes 100 grams for courage?
Just a motor. He rides well, but is more impressive with silent idling.
Sparkle in parts of the back
For a surcharge.
The backs are not only folded, but also adjusted in inclination.
Ecootex is one of the most advanced engines in the classroom.
A sports gearbox helps a modest motor.
The largest trunk
in the class.
The back is separate, the pillow is solid. Half is good.
1.6 liters of fiesta are not the motor that is placed on tricks. He is more cheerful
It is well planned: modern twins, the buttons are large, the style is generally designed. Let's see how it will be on serial machines.
It seems that the design of the devices did not think much.
In general, it’s not bad both in appearance and to the touch. Three belts, where are the headrests?

In the salon of Volkswagen German order. Everything is designed strictly, verified accurately, performed with high quality.
Combination of devices rationality in its pure form.
The most convenient seat. But, alas, without head restraints in the basic version.
At the top of the display of the on -board computer and radio.
A speedometer with a compressed second half.
Headrests and belts for three.
In the interior of the updated Renault, the symbol applied a contrasting solution.
Devices with white dials look surprisingly modest.
Threesome? Here? Only if not far.
Perhaps the interior of the fiesta is the most stylish of the whole five. Well, price
obliges.
And the devices could be richer. Fuel level and engine temperature on the left display.
It looks great, but sitting terribly inconvenient.

SUMMARY
VAZ-2118
+ Neutral modern appearance, convenience of landing-racks, a spacious interior, energy-intensive suspension, high road clearance.
- Unknown landing in the back seat, non -optimal mutual arrangement of the steering wheel and seat.

SUMMARY
Volkswagen Polo
+ Low noise level, comfortable suspension, comfortable seats, solid assembly and finishes, a clear gear shift.
- Weak feedback of the steering wheel amplifier, unimportant handling on a slippery road, blue lighting of devices.

SUMMARY

Opel Corsa
+ Good economy, spacious rear seat, friendly appearance, rich options, exemplary electrical power.
- The discomfort of the suspension on large irregularities, there is no local illumination in the cabin, the rear lights are covered with snow.

SUMMARY
Renault Symbol
+ Large trunk, high road clearance, good equipment, moderate price.
- Unknown landing, ineffective heating, mediocre smoothness.

SUMMARY
Ford Fiesta
+ Great dynamics and handling, comfort on a flat road, an elegant interior.

- High price, small road clearance, an uncomfortable rear seat with an uncertain pillow, the rear lights are covered with snow.

Vadim Kryuchkov, head. The ZR testing department made 3290 km on a brand new viburnum and is ready to share my impressions.
In a pre -production viburnum, why not? In one region there is still snow, in another clean and dry, as if there was no winter. Here they are all types of road surface, here are the conditions where the car should show those qualities that cannot be caught during a cursory examination.

LIKED
Outwardly proportional, deftly collected from successful elements into a single whole. Most likely, both men and women will like it. The appearance of Kalina will most likely be criticized from the spirit of contradiction.
The interior to match the appearance, perhaps, it is the most foreign in domestic cars. Light and climate will be headed in the style of Opel or Ford. There is a route computer with a display in a combination of devices and control on a steering wheel switch. You get used to the intuitively understandable governing bodies instantly: they are located sensible, access to the fact that on the central console, without separation from the back of the seat.

A very successful steering wheel is pleasant to the touch, chubby, and the knitting needles are located so that holding on to it is convenient only with the right grip. It is easier to turn on the programs than the ten are noticeably shorter than the lever moves. The spherical knob lies well in the hand. Under it is a spring -loaded ring of rear speed. You can’t take it reliable and convenient. The salon is spacious, planting and racks are generally not bad. Review, volume and configuration of the trunk, headlight, heating and ventilation with exhaust through valves in the trunk, deserve praise.
On the move, the suspension captivates with its impenetrability. Awesome energy intensity! We tried it with the full load of the car, and on the ice ranges, and on the asphalt comb near Saratov, she coped everywhere. Moreover, on a flat road, Kalina is not a bone of Kostotryas, a large road clearance and muscular pendants can get along with acceptable smoothness. But most importantly, the bumps of viburnum swallows, surprisingly quietly, there is no characteristic of other front -wheel drive models of a vase of clinging the chassis.
The brakes are good. Thanks to the new amplifier, the pedal has become noticeably softer, but not to the detriment of information content. But with controllability, the situation is ambiguous. It is felt that the potential is on the asphalt viburnum pleases with clear reactions. On slippery coatings I would like

greater accuracy of steering. However, there was an agreement not to criticize what would change soon. The steering mechanism and electrical power, during the refinement process, are sure to test the serial version.

DID NOT LIKE
Recommended fuel only AI-95. It is clear that with high -octane gasoline it is easier to meet the norms of toxicity. However, from the domestic car you are habitually waiting for the bonus in the form of fuel cheaper. It seems that these times have passed ...
The VAZ-1118 appetite was not pleased: the average mileage consumption is 8.0 l/100 km. In similar conditions, one of the first dozen with a 16-valve was laid at 7.6 liters. The difference seems to be small, but in separate sections, not in the city, but on the highway, viburnum easily took a bar of 8.4 l/100 km. It was possible to pacify gluttony only by reducing the speed to 8590 km/h. By the way, for the guideline: the factory data promises a consumption of 7.8 l/100 km at a speed of 120.
On the long journey, it became obvious that the front seats are not very convenient. The first impression of them is good one and a half to two hours after traveling there are no complaints. But three to four hours pass, and the assessment changes: a cushion is a short, there could be a wider back, too far a headrest. Ten to twelve hours later, understanding comes: in the cabin, also spacious because they saved on the size of the seats. Well, in cars of this class it is almost inevitable.

Winter cleaner brushes of different lengths. If they were done perfectly, I did not have to worry. But usually the brushes of domestic cars are by no means a standard of quality, but to replace them with eminent foreign ones, you will need two sets of different dimensions.
Few people will definitely pay attention: even in the upper position of the steering wheel, its rim overlaps the combination of devices. Those who wear large shoes will be difficult to shove the foot into the gap between the body of the body, on which the rear seat pillow is laid, and the central persistent.
The new 16-valve engine with a volume of 1.6 liters is well pulled at low and medium speeds, but there is no longer the environmental norms inherent in 1.5-liter picking up at the top, it seems that they have pacified the explosive character of the VAZ sixteen-clapans.
And finally, electronics. The factory anti -angle system with buttons in the key head as a whole liked. But God forbid, leaving a car for a short while, leave this very key in the ignition lock. The doors can spontaneously block (our viburnum once threw out such a fortel) and then you will be one of the advantages of the VAZ-1118: it is not easy to open the car doors with improvised means.

Comparison in whose benefit?
From the point of view of the consumer, the class division of cars is often only convention. And although formally the VAZ-1118 and VAZ 2110 belong to different classes, potential buyers stubbornly compare them with each other. What is the difference between viburnum and dozens of perhaps the most common question. And really, what?
With a comparable equipment VAZ-1118, the VAZ 2110 is less. With the exception of three sizes: Kalina is 80 mm higher, she has a wider front and rear track, more road clearance (190 mm versus 155). Comparison of salons in many ways in favor of the new model. The smaller car was more spacious in front, wider, there is more the distance from the seats to the ceiling. However, the dozens have its own advantages: the legs of the rear passengers are freer, the length of the longitudinal adjustment of the front seats is wider.
In terms of trunk, the advantage of VAZ 2110 is small, in addition, Kalina has less loading height and more opening. Another touch: the fuel supply of VAZ-1118 is 50 liters, and VAZ 2110 43.
A 16-valve engine VAZ 21124-50 with a volume of 1.6 liters is installed on the Kalin tested by us. It differs from a one and a half liter VAZ 2112 increased from 71 to 75.6 mm piston, which allowed to add one hundred cubes of the working volume. Among the novelties are a plastic intake manifold, a constant fuel ramp, separate coils for each candle, a muffler’s receiving pipe with a catalytic neutralizer (catacco) and much more. In contrast to 16-platens with a volume of 1.5 liters, the viburnum engine will not suffer when the timing belt is broken here here are the pistons with valves are not found. But his strength is smaller: 65.5 kW/89 liters. With. Against 66.7 kW/91 l. With. There is nothing to be done: the correspondence of the EuroNorms toxicity does not add to the motor. But by increasing the working volume, they received a wiping of torque of 3.5 N.M.
At the heart of other mechanical filling, familiar components and units of front -wheel drive models of the VAZ Samar and a dozen. Of course, they are finalized and improved so that it deserves a separate material that will appear in one of the closest ZR numbers.
Finally about the price. It is too early to call specific numbers on viburnum, but there is already a landmark. The factory workers promise that the VAZ-1118 will be more expensive than Samar, but a dozen is cheaper, which means that there is a comparison in favor of viburnum.