Test drive Opel Frontera Stagger 1998 - 2004 SUV

Border control

The border, as you know, should be on the castle. To choose a key to him, years can take years. As in the case of Opel Frontera 3.2
Opel SUV is not a beginner in our market. But until now, the frontier has been on our territory without official registration. The park was formed mainly from used cars, since these SUVs officially never delivered to the country. The car that has been on our test is the first to cross the border with an official residence permit and work permission. So, Frontera is certified and will go on sale in the dealerships of dealers General Motors in the near future.
This is the last of the entire Opel line that has been registered in Russia, not counting the exotic such as Speedster. The latter because SUVs are not the most favorite brainchild of Adam Opel AG. The lineup of passenger dews is updated enough regularly, but Frontera after its birth in 1991 was seriously changed only in 1998.
Wait, who is coming. Outwardly, Frontera has not changed. The contours became more smooth, stylish stamping appeared on the doors, the bumpers received a more intricate and modern form. The roof skis now stretch almost to the windshield, and do not end at the level of the door rack. Maybe this is the subjective opinion of the autopilot, but Frontera is elusively resembles the American Blazer of the year 1995. The glazing area has increased significantly, but when the back of the spare casing moves, it still closes the review. We recommend using side mirrors that are beyond praise.
The design of the salon, especially its front, has undergone the most significant changes. They changed almost everything - a combination of devices, the location of the keys and switches on the central console, the shape of the steering wheel. But all these innovations did not cause much enthusiasm - everything is functional, but very commonplace. The design of the cheaper Opel Astra N-Joy, located on a long-term editorial test, is much more interesting. Both for the selection of materials, and in their texture.
The only thing that turned out to be above our criticism is the seat. They are finished with very high -quality skin and have a sufficient set of adjustments in almost any plane.
The American opening algorithm looks absolutely in American. First, the glass is clenched upward, then a metal gate opens to the left. On the one hand, it is convenient - in order to throw a sports bag into the trunk, you do not need to open the entire fifth door. On the other hand, it strongly interferes with the same casing of the spare wheel, since only a cover with a tennis racket flows freely into the space between it and the rear persistent. Although the size of the trunk is respected - 320/1135 liters. The backs of the rear seats are folded in parts, which allows you to form it in accordance with current tasks.
Neutral strip. By its nature, Frontera justifies its name. Frontir-in English the border. In many ways, Frontera occupies a borderline between SUV and a car.
Opel Frontera is amazing sound insulation. The working motor in the cabin is not heard not only at idle, but also at the time of its promotion to maximum revolutions. Planting in Frontera is also rather passenger, relaxed. The legs are extended, the case is thrown back. The rear passengers are also located in a passenger car, almost hugging their own ears with their knees - the seat lies on the floor, like a Japanese bed. From the SUV, according to the impressions of the cabin, only the dimensions have been preserved, which allow the driver to literally look down on the neighbors in the cork.
However, the fact that this is still an SUV resembles a handle of a handout located to the right of the mechanical gearbox selector. She has only two provisions: 4H and 4l. The front bridge is connected by a separate button on the front panel at speeds up to 100 km/h. In order to switch to a reduced gear, it is advisable not only to stop, but also to transfer the gearbox lever into a neutral position.
VISA SUPPORT. Unfortunately, a lot looks quite archaic at today's level of technology. For example, suspension. The torsions and the uncertain rear bridge have proven themselves very well on serious SUVs, but this was a long time ago. Most manufacturers today offer more advanced cars for the same money.
There are no special claims to the suspension. The car moves along the road very smoothly, especially at high speeds and at a straight line. In the city, with frequent restructuring to the left and right, the Frontera body begins to sway noticeably. And if you drive a snake at a speed of about 60-70 km/h, then the amplitude of the body swing is simply frightening. In combination with a rather cotton steering control, there is a feeling that control over maneuverability is lost irrevocably and after a couple of seconds - and the car will make ears.
Another minus: an too much soft suspension, combined with a long -term inherent in SUVs, makes itself felt when overcoming obstacles. In our case - at the congress from a high border. At the time of the breakdown of the front wheels, the car under its heaviness very noticeably pecks with his nose and with a chilling soul clings to the lower part of the bumper on the ground. For the SUV, a more rigid suspension would have been adjusted.
The days stood hot, and all off -road turned into a wave -like stone desert. Taking Frontera on it, we were convinced that we should move along such a surface in a whisper, almost swap. You give a little more gas - and on the third wave the suspension is guaranteed to break through.
GREEN CORRIDOR. A new motor of 3.2 liters, fully executed from aluminum alloy, is installed on Frontera. Quite modern, quite dynamic, but ... due to the fact that the programs are a little short, the engine starts to choke on the first or second accelerations. Again, the border option - when moving in the city of Frontera, it is more like a passenger car, and not an SUV.
The weight of Frontera with two autopilot employees was approaching two tons. With the nervous movement in the city, when every second strives to cut you, we were frankly pleased with the setting of the brake system. At low speed, for example, in traffic, the brakes are grasped almost instantly. At high speeds, an accurate and informative pedal allows you to easily dose force to provide a confident and stable predictable slowdown. ABS intervenes in the operation of the brake system very intelligently, in case of emergency. And does not remind of his presence with hysterical shocks in the brake pedal.
Customs gives good. Frontera left us a dual impression. On the one hand, a fairly comfortable car, which we would rather attribute to the station wagons, and not real SUVs. It is perfect for those who value capacity and comfort in the car in combination with the ability to drive where an ordinary station wagon will easily fall on the belly.
On the other hand, in Frontera there are a lot of asceticism, which can afford to flaunt for such money exclusively serious SUVs with established carism. Which in the first place is patency, and everything else is secondary. Most likely, this car will appeal to those who lead a truly borderline lifestyle - between the city and the village. Such people do not have the desire for excessive luxury, but they value practicality and convenience.
 
Text Nikolay Kachurin, photo Sergey Sherestnikov
Model/Modification Opel Frontera 3.2
Manufacturer/country Adam Opel AG/England
BODY
Type station wagon
Number of doors/places 5/5
Ram -bearing element of the staircase type
ENGINE
Basin type with multi -point electronic injection
The location in front is longitudinally
Working volume (cubic cub) 3165
Number/location of cylinders 6/V-shaped
Power, kW (L.S.) at about./Min. 151 (205) at 5400
Moment (nm at about./Min.) 290 at 3000
TRANSMISSION
Rear drive, connected full
The gearbox is mechanical, 5-speed
Transporting number (norms /lowering) 1 /2.05
SUSPENSION
Front/rear independent torsion, double transverse levers, reptile stabilizer/dependent, spring, hard beam of the bridge on four longitudinal levers, traction of panar
STEERING
Type gear rack with a hydraulic booster
Min. The diameter of the turn (m) 11.5
Brakes
Front/rear circular ventilated
ABS 3-channel
Dimensions/volumes/weight
Length/width/height (mm) 4658/1787/1740
Wheel base (mm) 2702
Mass weight (kg) 1872
Tires/discs 245/70 R16/alloy, 7JX16
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed (km/h) 184
Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) 10.3
Economy
Average fuel consumption (city/highway, l/100 km) 19.8/11.2
The price in Moscow is $ 37.5 thousand.
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
Working volume (cubic cub) 2972
Power (L.S. at about. /Min.) 177 at 5000
Length/width/height (mm) 4545/1775/1730
Equipped weight (kg) 1920
Maximum speed (km/h) 175
Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) 11.6
The price is $ 39 thousand.

 

Source: "Autopilot"