Test Drive Peugeot 206 SW 2002 - 2007 Universal

Logical addition

Since the beginning of the official implementation of Peugeot 206 has passed for four years. The term is not small, although thanks to the stylish and original design, the model still looks fresh and spectacular, and statistics reports that it is one of the sales leaders in its class. Anyway, potential buyers should periodically remind themselves as required by the laws of the market, and Peugeot has a novelty of the station wagon on the basis of the 206th.


I must say that the wagon in the compact hatchback sector is not nonsense, but very rarity. Again, the appearance of the usual 206th example of absolute finishes and self-sufficiency, not a single detail, not a single batch, all the proportions are simply perfect. So I imagine how I had to sweat the stylists of the Peugeot design center to turn this car into a wagon. But they worked not in vain. Fawn not only did not lose anything, but rather it even became more interesting to slightly more serious and solid, but no less original. Of the features, it is worth noting the rear lights, hiding racks and handles of the rear doors of A la Alfa Romeo, it was thanks to them that they managed to avoid reveling the appearance and give him a chance of sportiness. At visiting us on the test, the situation somewhat spoiled too modest wheels, here in. 15 would be just right.


Dry digits of technical data say that the length of the car has grown by 19 centimeters, but in the cabin it is practically not felt. If the driver and front passenger can get a sufficient comfort, then they will not envy sitting behind, the main problem has nowhere to nine legs, even if the middle growth man sits. The growth of the dimensions went in favor of the trunk, its volume increased by a third, but not to say that it became much more suitable suitable dimensions are achieved only when the rear seats are folded. But there are baubles, more characteristic of adult universes and SUVs. For example, the rear door glass separately opens, which is very convenient on close parking, and it opens not only with the button stubborn above the number, but also the button on the key. The opening of the fifth doors is lowered to the floor of the trunk, and ship-unload the fuck, especially heavy, it will be easier. In the trunk itself there were special hooks for fastening the cargo and the grid to extinguish the salon.


There are no other differences in the interior from the basic model. The same rigid seats, allowing you to conveniently get a person to any complex, the instrument panel with all the necessary information for the driver, competently executed steering wheel and well placed additional buttons and levers. Everything is quite simple, but at the same time ergonomically and functionally.


Under the hood of changes, it also did not happen, but with the suspension engineers Peugeot oberated, and first of all it concerns the rear load after all increased. There are two additional transverse leverage. I wonder how this will affect the manageability of the usual 206th, it is so good that it can be considered a reference in its class.


By turning the ignition key, and the 1.4-liter motor responds with vigorous ration. Despite his modest 75 hp, bought itself on urban streets do not feel, even confident thrust has been observed since 2000 rpm., And so right before the restricter is triggered. Up to 100-130 km / h accelerated dynamics is quite balanced, and then there are problems. And this is without a load with one passenger. For a wagon, I would recommend the engine more. But the box has successfully selected programs are not short, requiring active work by the lever, and not long with tedious acceleration, everything is optimal. Transfer clings to each other without failures, providing an even dynamics. Slightly spoils the impression only the grip, with a very large pedal stroke and a complete absence of informativeness.


Setting the suspension Compromise between comfort and handling, but still (and it is traditionally for Peugeot) some focus is made on the latter. Yes, the suspension hardly hardens fine irregularities and joints, and the car reads the road profile in detail, but it is completely lacking such phenomena like a routine on a longitudinal wave. And how Peugeot 206 SW behaves in turns just a song! Reactions on the steering wheel allow you to accurately evaluate what is happening with the front wheels, including on slippery coating. The car clearly tracks the specified trajectory, provoking adding more and more turns in turns. Upon reaching the limit, light demolition of the front wheels begins to the viragee, and the wagon is smoothly screwed into the gas discharge. The behavior is clear and unambiguous than and ensures complete mutual understanding between the driver and the machine. The brakes also turned out to be at the height: good efficiency together with the convenience of dosing allow even ice to stop where necessary, and not where it will turn out. The ABS works solely clearly, waking up only in critical moments when the hook properties of the wheels are completely exhausted.


So what happened to the French? The model will not attribute a full-fledged universal, but this is not a little hatchback. In my opinion, Peugeot 206 SW, despite the fact that it is designed to heal the interest of buyers to the brand, ideal for young citizens of supporters of an active lifestyle and who have not yet acquired families. On working days, this car will be regularly carrying the owner (hostess) on city traffic jams, and on the weekend delivers to nature along with the relevant inventory and a girlfriend (friend).
 
Alexander Nidenz
 

A source: Motor magazine [March 2003]