Test drive Opel Vectra sedan 2002 - 2005 sedan
Middle class pumps muscles
Both of these machines combine representative appearance and magnificent dynamics. But they achieve this in completely different ways. Fitness after the office
Life has got better, the business is successful, the career staircase is cheerfully creaking out to remember the health, about the sports discharges received in the student years, about strong muscles and a trained body. So the gym a couple of times a week and, of course, a more powerful, dynamic and at the same time respectable car.
In charged versions of average machines or, as it is also called, the D-class, perhaps, these qualities are better than others. We have chosen the two hottest new items: the fastest serial Opel Vectra-GTS with a 3.2-liter engine, a capacity of 211 liters. with., and Honda-Akord-Tip-S seventh generation 2.4 liters and 190 liters. With. And they decided to compare them, as they say, in their native elements on the Autobans of Germany, where the speed is not limited, on French highways and local narrow paths. You must admit that it is better to find out the differences in sports characters is better there, and not on the Moscow Koltseva.
True, this approach also found a small minus. We were not able to take the richest equipment of the chord-expirative and vegetro-GTS with a mechanical gearbox. But, I think, both is fixed. Moreover, running ahead, let's say: it is the machine gun that is better suited to the character of Opel and, conversely, the mechanic is good with Honda.
The equipment of the machines is almost maximum, although it is not devoid of originality, hence the fairly high price of $ 34,350 per vector and $ 30,300 per chord. However, buyers of such cars can already afford not to chase the amount of iron per denunak.
The shadow of glorious ancestors What associations does the name Opel give birth to? Connoisseurs will remember that in more than a hundred -year history of the brand, she had interesting models and sports victories, and now in the German car racing, say, the championship is not the last name. But in the minds of most of our compatriots, Opel is more likely functional, pragmatic, not too expensive, quite reliable. In general, a solid mass product, a sort of European consumer goods, in the good sense of the word.
So the question: what is your car? The owner of the German will most likely answer: Vectra-GTS. Moreover, he will have to rest on the prestigious appendage of Grand Tourism Sport.
Honda’s car history was barely forty years old, but the reflection of motorcycle victories, the successes in formula 1, bold technical solutions created her the glory of the manufacturer of complex and perfect cars for the driver.
The owner of such a machine is known for the password for entering the world of high technology Honda! And it is not necessary to clarify which one. In any case, his car is more than just a means of moving from point A to point B.
Dolphin and shark
If you try to recall the most vivid features of the appearance of the vetera, glossy black sides come to mind, shining moldings, massive spoilers around the perimeter, hefty pancakes of alloy wheeled wheels, heavy, vertically chopped food with two exhaust pipes of respectability and strength! In front, if taken separately, everything is also okay: rounded, like a dolphin’s forehead, hood, slightly naive headlights, radiator cladding with an abundance of chromium and a large emblem, a massive bumper. However, a recognizable face from these elements does not work, turned away and forgot.
By the way, vector-GTS is released only with a body of hatchback with the validity of such a division can be argued, but it does not harm the machine. On the contrary, the streamlined rolled roof and reminiscent of the anti -winged of the small step of the trunk hint at the high speed potential and harmonize well with an assertive appearance permeated with inner strength.
In the appearance of Honda, on the contrary, the front part is remembered. A sharp elongated nose, predatory slots of narrow headlights at the heavy centuries of the hood, facing the angle of the radiator and the mouth of the air intake, an aerodynamic body kit around the perimeter (attribute of TIP-S configuration), it is elusively resembles a rapid and dangerous shark. The similarity enhances the gray color of the body, it cannot be said that very winning. Yes, and dull-graphite wheel discs, as if dusted with dust from erased brake pads, even want to wash them. However, such a modest color scheme is an individual feature of a test machine, sharks are found in nature, that is, chords are much brighter.
Plus climate, minus drive
From my personal point of view, it is a pity that the creators of the interior of Vectra did not have patterns at hand. It seems that they used only ruler, which is why the salon resembles an ultramodern office in the style of techno panels, straight lines, even corners. Even the steering wheel switches are similar to rectangular bars! However, there are no comrades to taste and color. Many will probably find such a salon not only fashionable and stylish, but also attractive. Moreover, high -quality materials, thorough manufacture and verified gaps do not allow me to doubt the status of the owner of this office.
The chord with the line of explosures has order, but the materials are slightly less solid, and the elements differ so slightly in shades of the general gray color that doubt may arise, this is not an artistic plan, but an inconspicuous technologist? However, having paid two thousand dollars, you will receive a light-beige leather salon with wood inserts that distinguishes more representative execution from a sports type-S.
The salon of the new chord became 75 mm wider than that of the previous model
Vectra-GTS has enormous rear doors, but due to the falling roof, the smaller salon height
Both cars are combined with similar rudders with metal knitting needles, on which the cruise control and the audio system is carried out.
The interior of Honda is restrained and functional, the lighting of the devices is turned on when the door is opened
The strict Opel salon is solid, respectable and painted like a line of flat panels, straight lines. Only a strip of aluminum around the perimeter revives it
A solid image and sports orientation of machines caused not quite ordinary equipment.
In both cases, it only does not slightly do not reach the maximum and includes, for example, elements such as two-zone climate control, navigation system (and Honda and with an active screen, which, however, can immediately forget the Opel or Opel or Opel, nor Honda with navigators is not delivered), genuine skin, inserts for aluminum or carbon fiber in the interior decoration, high -class audio system, wipers with rain sensor, xenon headlights, electronic stabilization system and much more. However, at the same time, the steering wheel and seats are mechanical. Say, the setting of a sports car is thin and it can not be entrusted with any servo drives. Only manually!
In the rear doors of Opel-Veter, curtains are hidden
In Honda, the trunk of the trunk with a volume of 450 l is noticeably limited
The chord has dense, with good fixation of the chair, the river adjustment range in height is noticeably shifted down, which is convenient for the driver of small stature, although the large distance to the ceiling will arrange almost a basketball player. Vectra offers slightly softer and comfortable seats, and even with the overall adjustment on the angle of inclination. The ranges are wider here, and the ceiling is even higher. The latter is true only for the front places, behind the situation is the opposite of the flowing roof of the German car almost applies to the passenger’s head. However, a large distance from the knees to the backs of the front seats (about 70 mm) largely compensates for this drawback.
About facts and their perception The trends indicated by the appearance of cars were continued under their hoods. A solid vector-GTS relies on the engine litting: it has a V-shaped aluminum six with a volume of 3.2 liters and a capacity of 211 liters. With. Chord-Tip-S demonstrates another approach: moderate 2.4 liters, thanks to systems for regulating the duration and height of the VTEC valves and the VTC gas distribution phase, allow only a slightly less than 190 liters to develop a more resourceful and light in-line four. With. Of course, both engines have four valves per cylinder and adjustable inlet, but the specific power of the second is almost a quarter higher, respectively, 66 and 81 liters. With. from a liter of volume.
If you do not look into technical characteristics, then the vector-GTS sports charge can not be guessed. A stylish, comfortable and quiet salon, a large -volume engine with a solid twisting moment gives rise to a sensation of a large heavy limousine, a distance of the driver and from the surrounding reality, and the engine is barely audible from the control process, on the steering wheel and pedals are quiet and the surface. The sensation is possible, deceptive, because you can squeeze the accelerator to the floor and even play the rider, controlling the adaptive 5-speed automatic with a sequential switch and on the uterine roar of GTS will measure a hundred in eight seconds or make you hang on belts, clinging to the asphalt 17-inch wheels. But he will do this without losing self -esteem, as if hinting: do you need it?.
A completely different impression is made by the chord, on the contrary, involves the driver in the control process, infects his excitement and provokes on the sports style of riding. I would like to twist the engine to the ringing, slow down to lock and go on the verge of a breakdown, reveling in the tenacle of the suspension, honed the reactions of the machine and the accuracy of control. By the way, the Honda motor confidently takes out from any revolutions and in the VI gear, allowing you to even pass them through one with calm acceleration.
Important numbers confirm the incampanence of such strong emotions by acceleration to hundreds takes 7.9 seconds. Here you are! Just one tenth is better than that of Vectra-GTS with an automatic machine, which we have just called a heavy limousine. Acceleration of both machines is almost the same, and the sensations are almost opposite. With a mechanical box, a German woman will even be faster at 0.4 s! In maximum speed, the chord is completely inferior to almost 20 km/h. It is just right to scream the guard, deceived!. But let me, are you going to participate in races on these cars? We will buy them honestly, the only thing to enjoy driving and wipe the nose to others. Well, this is with ease, albeit in different ways, allow you to make both cars.
The main thing is not to forget that they are addressed to different drivers. GTS to the one who wants to enjoy comfort at high speed, who prefers to stand on the left row and, puffing out an expensive cigar, rush past passing cars, like a fast train. Type-S is intended for those who are pleased with the process of controlling the four-wheeled shell, who at the wheel like to work as a gear lever, squeezing a maximum of high-speed motor.
Noblesse loud
Belonging to the D-class obliges the car to be comfortable regardless of engine potential. And the vector cope with this task better: it is softer, quieter, slightly spacious and richerly equipped: there is, for example, a CD changer, automatic dimming of an internal mirror, heating the four seats, extending curtains on the windows from behind. But with sensory steering wheel switches, it was at first it was difficult to find a neutral position. It is unusual to control the electric windows: there are only two keys on the driver's door, and a separate toggle switch connects mechanisms to them in the front or rear doors.
3.2-liter six, with a capacity of 211 liters. p., almost not heard on the move, not least, thanks to the resonators of the inlet system located in front of the radiator
The rear seat is clearly double, the third passenger will sit on the roller without unbending his head
Multi -colored scales in a brilliant edging look beautiful and are perfectly read
The chord is a little louder and tougher, although it could not be considered a disadvantage. It’s just different and this is his sports charm. But the rusted steering wheel switches, an ingenuous wand of a handbag made of cheap plastic, and even with an inappropriate chrome button in the end, powerlessly falling in the seat the central armrest is difficult to explain in the back with sports specificity.
On the knitting needles of the Honda-Akord steering wheel buttons of the cruise control and audio system
The central honda console resembles a pentagon of the radiator cladding. The center has a large 7.5-inch display of the navigation system, it is a pity that it is useless in Russia
Between the seats, a two-story box with a sliding plot cover
Don't think about pillows down
Anyone, only I am not so many evaluate their chances of getting into an accident. But, probably, those who have already ended in it also thought. Therefore, we will not about pillows down. Our couple has a complete gentleman's set: two frontal, two side and two large inflatable curtains that completely block the front and rear window openings. Incidentally, in Russia for the new Honda, six pillows are required in any configuration. Opel can add active head restraints to this list that reduce the risk of neck injury when hitting behind, and the pedal bracket breaking during the frontal impact. Five three -point belts, the front ones with height adjustment and the pretext is also a norm for machines of this class. As well as the mounting of children's seats ISOFIX.
However, one can hope that the case will not reach these devices, the guarantee of this is a rich set of active security tools. Here are ABS, and the system distribution systems EBD, emergency braking and stabilization. The latter is called Opel and VSA IDS in Honda, but they are close in terms of functions and help maintain control over the machine in a critical situation. With some reservations to passive safety means, the audio system is also attributed to the steering wheel, which allows you to get less distracted from the management.
Pleasure is not for the poor
Prices for the Opel-Vetra-1,8 basic sedan begin at $ 19.7 thousand. Hatchback Vectra-GTS with a 2.2 liter engine will cost $ 25 thousand. For an additional liter of engine volume and Eleans’s set, one and a half thousand will have to be paid. . The line of engines of the chord is still much shorter, and therefore the price range for this model is already noticeable from $ 25.9 thousand per 2-liter in a good basic configuration comfort up to $ 30.3 thousand per testing test-s with a 2.4 liter engine and a motor Finishing $ 32.9 thousand for a top execution with a machine gun.
Frankly, the pleasure is not for the poor or suffering from an inferiority complex. But for us, in this case, something else is more important. Anyone who agrees to pay that kind of money for the sports character of a serial sedan will pay extra 4 thousand without unnecessary delay for those not ephemeral advantages, which ensures the top version of the vetera.
We decided:
With the similarity of concepts, the engineers of Opel and Honda built completely different cars. Vectra-GTS comfortable high-speed liner for flights in the left ranks of the highway. He looks like a businessman who has gained an excellent sports uniform, but did not lose his respect and self -esteem.
Chord-Tip-S Azart, dynamic car provoking risky and assertively. Rather, this is a professional athlete, who became a businessman by the will of fate, but at any moment ready to return to the treadmill.
And despite the fact that the cars are so different, in the aggregate of qualities the average assessment of both 4.5.
However, Opel is ahead of Honda in our test in objective comfort and security, losing by rather subjective image, appearance and controllability. Individual anticipations can be different, respectively, estimates will also change.
Yuri Nechetov, photo of the author
Source: Magazine "Limousine" [07/03]
