Opel Frontera Sport 1998 test drive - 2004 SUV
Continuation of the holiday
Last spring, Opel Frontera, the so -called T.N., took part in the day of the border guard. The second series with 2.2 liters of a motor (motor E 5, 1998). In the same fall, an updated model of this car appeared on the market, but it did not reach Russia immediately. It seemed to us (based on publications and photographs in the western automobile press) that the car only underwent a cosmetic operation, and even in addition to 4-cylinder engines received a V-shaped 3.2 liter of six. Personally managed to get acquainted with the car only recently, when it appeared in Moscow. At first, it seemed that the delay was a temporary, caused by the unwillingness of the management of Opel to send a novel to obvious commercial death to a post -crisis Russia. As it turned out, the car is not at all intended for official supplies to our country, where to represent the interests of the General Motors Corporation (which owns Opel) in the sector of compact SUVs, the Elabuzhsky Chevrolet Blazer is called up. However, contrary to the corporation’s strategy, the car in Russia still appeared. So, the new Opel Frontera 3.2 V6.
At first glance, the car has not changed much. Successful stylistic decisions of the previous Frontera are also present in the new. Just looking closely, we began to notice the difference. The external dimensions are almost the same, but the shapes and proportions of the body have become more expressive, and the reduced height and the roundness of body parts that appeared increased the feeling of dynamism and hidden strength. The machine has become more integral and harmonious.
The most noticeable change in appearance is the curved base of the third roof rack. In the previous generation machines, these racks in three- and five-door bodies were very different, in the three-door version of Frontera Sport it was very wide, and the inhabitants of the rear seat complained about the feeling of a closed space. Now both versions of the body are stylistically unified: an additional window appeared in the third -door in the third counter, in the five -door - the rear window similar in shape. The ventilation holes through which the air is removed from the cabin moved from the rear racks of the roof to the rear lights, and the reserve on the door received a hard detachable casing.
There are not very many changes under the updated shell. The body is still installed on a spar frame. The front suspension has been preserved - transverse levers and torsiones as elastic elements. The rear suspension - an uncertain beam on cylindrical springs - received the second upper longitudinal traction. An extended fuel tank and muffler are located in a safe zone within the base between the longerons of the frame. As already mentioned, the car is equipped with a new engine - a V6 with a volume of 3165 cm cube. Develops power of 205 hp. and torque 290 Nm. (A new turbodiesel with a volume of 2.2 liters appeared in the gamut, having the same power indicators as the previous 2.5 liter motor.) A new transmission was installed on the machine. Now there is no need to stop to connect the front drive wheels, you just need to drop the speed of up to 100 km/h and press the key on the torpedo, after which the electronics will do its job. Previously, connecting the front bridge was included in the function of the lever of the hand-box, now they only turn on the lower gear (for the transition from 4n to 4l, the machine is still required to stop).
Access to the interior has become more convenient, although our car did not have the steps - the seats are installed below. Even if you raise the driver's seat to failure, there will be no problems with landing. A large supply of longitudinal movement of the seat and the range of adjustment of the steering column along the angle of inclination make it possible to conveniently settled at the wheel. Feels, the pillow has become longer. Its base has a handle, with which you can tilt the back. The seat (you can’t call it soft) with tissue upholstery has good lateral support.
The location of the destroyer levers and the automatic transmission selector is quite convenient, the same can be said about pedals. The form of torpedo has not changed significantly, it only became more rounded - like a body. The combination of devices has been simplified - only a tachometer, a speedometer and indicators of the temperature of the coolant and fuel level are present. The control of the wipers is now carried out not uncomfortable buttons, but traditionally by the steering wheel switch.
Some castling occurred in the central part of the torpedo. Air supply deflectors to the salon moved upward, under them are now there are controls of the aeroclimatic installation (the latter - with air conditioning). The liquid crystalline information display and the built -in factory radio is even lower.
The car taken on the test is distinguished by an impressive set of additional equipment: airbags included with torpedo alarm, electric mirrors and glass windows, heated front seats, cruise control ... There is also a Hands-Free system for a mobile phone.
We sit back. The first impression: it became even more comfortable. But this applies only to the distance to the back of the front seat. The pillow is located low, knees are lifted up for passengers - it will be inconvenient on a long trip.
The posterior (and front) riders can adjust the height of the upper point of the safety belts for themselves, they have two folding cup holders of a rather flimsy physique that clean the central armrest of the anterior seats at their disposal.
The back door opens in parts: the glass half - up, the metal - sideways. The trunk is quite impressive. Having decomposed both parts of the rear seat to increase the volume of the cargo compartment, we found a driver’s tool - in a niche on the pillow of the right seat.
The engine is easy to start and quietly, without vibrations, works on idle. The car smooths smoothly and rolls rather softly - almost like a passenger. At low speed, the body responds to the irregularities of the coating with small trembling. Vertical swinging on the canopy of the relief is not observed. The steering wheel with leather upholstery is well held in the hands, it allows you to feel quite confidently the car, but when you try to sharp maneuvers, it reminds that Frontera is still an SUV. Add gas - the car quickly and willingly reacts, demonstrating good acceleration dynamics. But you can also include the sports transmission mode.
It seems that the higher the speed, the Frontera feels more confident. The suspension no longer pays attention to minor irregularities, only the tonality of rubber noise changes (the sound insulation of the cabin, by the way, is perfectly performed). With an increase in speed, some vertical swaying on the waves of the coating (within quite reasonable limits) appears and the severity of the steering increases. (It must be posted that it has to steal Frontera much less than many other SUVs.) A larger relief on the asphalt in the form of wells or tram tracks in this case is not particularly dangerous. All this is well absorbed by the suspension, which allows you not to engage in close study of the road - like drivers of cars. The behavior in the turns is quite predictable, without surprises, the cranes of the body are not excessive.
The brakes on the asphalt work quite normally, the pedal force does not require preliminary muscle training, in addition, ABS is always ready to help. Clinking when braking within normal.
We leave the hard coating, move on the ground. Without reducing speed, we connect the front wheels with the button on the torpedo - the corresponding indicator lights up on the device combinations. Frontera continues to move along the crossed terrain, calmly overcoming shallow loose sand and easily climbing to steep rises. The smoothness of the course is excellent, the long -term suspension provides not only comfort to the riders, but also the constant contact of the wheels with the earth's surface.
At the request of the photographer, I drive into a large puddle. The bottom of the reservoir is covered with liquid mud, but the car confidently force the water barrier, demonstrating excellent engine painting - not the slightest hint of skilling.
We checked the behavior of Frontera and when hanging the wheels. The car also got out of this test with honor, and when we increased the speed to evaluate its jumping, we were once again convinced of the good work of its universal suspension.
We have already noted the integrity of the appearance of the car. The same can be said about its internal content. Opel Frontera 3.2 V6 - like a debugged obedient organism that can fulfill any reasonable order of its owner. In our opinion, the new Frontera could make serious competition to many serious all -wheel drive cars in our country, not to mention parquet SUVs. When moving on solid coating, Frontera is not inferior to them, and where it ends, it looks much more preferable.
Sergey Ivanov
Source: Motor magazine [No. 8/1999]
