Test Drive Opel Meriva 2005 - 2009 Minivan
Such different marketing
Meriva Nishey Product Calculating Germans from Opel. Roomster Funny picture Skoda, revived in metal and plastic. Pragmatism or fantasy, dry calculation or the fruit of imagination can penetrate confidence (and then a garage) of a person looking for a vehicle XXI in?
True, Opel Meriva reminds hamster? Pullen, round, with tiny legs, and he also looks like Corsa, with which there is a lot of them. If it were not for chrome and not dimensions, it would be difficult to distinguish the merice from the smallest Opel.
Roomster does not like anyone else of the line of your own creator, Skoda. Seven-eight years ago, he would successfully spoke as a futuristic militant or thriller. Its rounded windows of windows and rear doors without a handle would be perceived as a new word in the automotive design. So it was actually: at least in the history of Skoda.
After the success of the concept of Roomster in Skoda, we decided to develop a model for mass production. In the beginning of the century, at the beginning of the century, they thought about Meriva, when the gap between compact Agila and Mini-Veno Zafira began to seem too impressive and demanded urgent substitution.
Both cars were created literally from what was at hand. For Skoda Roomster, they took suspension, motors and steering mechanism from Fabia and attached to this rear suspension from Octavia. Similarly, it turned out from Meriva: steering, engine, gearbox and suspension from Corsa, and the rear semi-dependent suspension with the knitted levers got from Astra.
But Meriva is a typical representative of the family, with recognizable family features both outside and from the inside. Roomster is the same other topic. He added paints to the Skoda line, granting that the Czechs were not afraid of new ideas and forms.
yeri or black and white? Inside Meriva in a corporate gray; In the cabin, only the right forms and, most advantage, straight lines are trial. Colors Roomster black and white. From dark plastic Made the upper part of the torpedo, steering wheel, radio, climate control panel, and white sparkles everything else: from the seats to the bottom glove. Yes, there are two of them, and they are on each other; Where in Opel (and in other cars), a glove box and a passenger airbag are placed.
In a strict interior, Opel feel free. With ergonomics of problems minimum: the first inconvenience caused double front window frames and small windows: turning to the left, you have to pull the neck to see the interference.
The second difficulty caused the adjustment of the seat in height simply was not. These ROOMSTER problems are deprived of these problems: here and the chair rises, lowers, and no windows in the windows. However, Skoda is closer: its relationship is affected with Fabia. I wonder how Opel managed to hide the Corsa genes?
And I also have a big doubt that the white plastic in the doors and central tunnel Roomster will remain those for a long time. However, it already depends not from the car.
Skoda Roomster.
Basic Roomster with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine costs $ 15,490. ABS, MSR is included in the standard package, driver airbag, electric power steering, steering wheel adjustment, immobilizer. The car with a 1.4-liter 87-strong motor and five-speed mechanical gearbox will cost at least at $ 16,790. And along with a 1.6-liter 105-power engine can also be ordered automatic transmission. True, such a roomster will cost at least $ 21,290.
Opel Meriva.
With a 90-strong 1.4 MERIVA engine will cost $ 15,790. The staff includes a package for dusty roads, a package for cold-climatic countries, an electric power steering wheel, an airbag, an immobilizer, driver and front passenger airbag, ABS, BRAKE Assistant, Central Castle with D.U., a car with a 1.6-liter 105-strong engine and mechanical gearbox will cost $ 17,490, and with semi-automatic transmission of Easytronic from $ 18,090.
Complement and rule something lacking each of the participants of the test car. They complemented each other wonderfully, if it were possible to combine their strengths. Agitate for a dynamic ride Meriva is very sensitive to the change in the steering wheel, but the effort is minimal and it is unpredictable. Opel still reeling from side to side as if to torment his sharp Rebuilding: high center of gravity makes itself felt.
Roomster lack the sharpness of the management, but the steering wheel is poured more informative effort, and you can forget about the banks. But again: the car itself is not inspiring on race but on the contrary: at a comfortable smooth ride. Especially with 1.4 liter 86-horsepower motor.
For city driving engine is enough surprising that Skoda believe that this engine will be the most successful. The engine responds quickly to a gas and smoothly pulls up to 6000 rev / min.
... Unfair happened! Opel has got us to the test with a 1.6-liter 105-horsepower engine (similar in size and power will stand and Skoda) while at the Skoda was 1.4 litrovik. Therefore, to tell which of them soon, does not make sense.
However, Meriva engine left a very good impression, and whom we hasten to share. He is quiet and economical, with quite frisky and traction. Special thanks to the manual gearbox, which is optimally suited for motor queries, allowing effectively realize its full potential.
instead of a conclusion
Both kompaktven has its advantages: for example, Opel captivates accessibility, and Skoda original and bright interior Roomster opposes strict interior Meriva.
If the compact van is needed for storage space and work, if you want better results at lower costs, we recommend Opel. If you want the machine to surprise you every day, rejoice and stand out from the gray everyday traffic jams you to Skoda.
CARS providing companies ATLANTM Baltic and AVTOTSENTR BY ENGELS official dealers of GM and SKODA
Text: Alexander Korobchenko
Photo: Roman Ostanin
A source: Magazine "Wheels» [№112 / 2007]
