PEUGEOT test drive 301 since 2012 sedan

Estes on strong legs

In the budget class, the main adviser when buying a car is a calculator. But the competition is growing, and the French again used a special weapon. They added to the choice a dash not only, but also aesthetics this time. And in order not to interfere with aesthet, both Citroen C-Yelysee and the Peugeot 301 are a general slaughter argument.


On ours, on the TERII world will configure ...
When a couple of family manufacturers enters the market, it is interesting to compare them. And now I was sure that I was lucky: first in Barcelona we get acquainted with Citroen C-Yelysee, and soon we fly to Antalya, to meet with Peugeot 301. Will we catch a subtle difference in the settings? To deal with the choice of configurations, to watch how one (as is usually the case with a French duet) will push on aesthetics, the latter to drivesters?

It wasn't there! Cold shower was turned on from the very first minutes. There are no differences, except for external ones, between relatives this time! Do not put a fat ellipers: they say, we were shown European settings, and what will happen to us and the same! And you can’t name the European suspension: they don’t plan to sell a small sedan either from Peugeot in Europe. Europe does not need such! Russia, China, Africa, Latin and South America, and a number of third world countries are who forms the demand for such machines. And it is they who now give the French a considerable share of sales.

Therefore, we hear: cars were preparing for bad roads and complex climate. And the zeal with which the desired set of qualities was selected, and then was tested in conditions close to the combat, lies respect! Protection against dust, providing climate in the salon in the heat and cold are thought out. For an passenger car, and not for a car with at least some off-road ambitions, even the possibility of driving on the poured roads is stipulated! The air fence points through which the water can drain the water are raised and protected. The suspension mount is reinforced, and it itself is designed for harsh loads. And all this is checked by more than 4,000,000 kilometers in different parts of the planet. Such introductory is impressive! Interest in the nuances in the manners is replaced by another: what has developed from all this special training?

I guess this word with
In the battle of the Three-Bobblers in the segment B, the manufacturers seemed to start a game in the field of miracles: I will place so many space in four with a small meter! And I'm more! And, as magicians, they rushed to the promised to extract, playing with all possible parameters. Even the shape of the panels is over, the French couple has flat, but there are more places for knees. It seemed that it was impossible to squeeze more space for passengers from behind than in Skoda Rapid. AN, no! Losing a little in the volume of the trunk, Citroen and Peugeot leave a little more space for passenger knees. Here in the space for the head Skoda (well, Seat Toledo) is still a little in front, albeit liftbeks. And the trunk? The French are not in volume, 506 liters in the classroom are good. The problem is that access is narrow, and it is softly said! The decision to entrust the opening of the trunk only to the buttons on the key key or in the cabin, without leaving a mechanical drive, curious, economical, but not unambiguous. Suddenly what will refuse this very remote drive?

The small cars in their class essence not just ceased to be flawed, they have become really full -fledged! The doors of the French, even if they open to the not largest corner, are large enough to provide light access even on the second row, not to mention the front. The driver’s landing, firstly, is convenient, and secondly, you can fit it under any growth. The seats adjustment range is some kind of endless! But with the adjustment of the steering wheel missing! It is rather simply marked! Initerly moved up and down, it is difficult to call a vertical adjustment. And by departure, it is not provided at all.

Do not cross the line
What is saved on everything is visible right away. As a class, there are no pens over the heads of passengers. Around continuous plastic, only in more expensive configuration it is finished with inserts under the piano varnish. The windows buttons, so as not to mount the door, were taken out at the front console, at the corners of the gear lever. Unusual, but you get used to it. Everything is better than on a console beard, and you can write off on the quirks of French design. The ceiling upholstery is simple, in the cheaper configuration there are no handles on the front doors (you close the plastic pocket), but there are no pockets on the rear stream. In the cheap version, the climate is regulated by steeps, in more expensive, button blocks and display become in their place, which does not show the temperature, but only means warmer/colder.

But the creators of this duet went along the subtle line, without taking a step towards the squalor. So what, what is plastic? It looks better than it feels to the touch. They did not hide on the e -regulating mirrors, on seals. In the trunk, let the upholstery not on the entire lid, but the plastic handles are not forgotten from the inside. Yes, these cars are unpretentious, but in no way are flawed! Moreover, such comprehensive thoughtfulness of savings, balance gives the opposite effect! In total, a more expensive image is created than left all these elements separately. You are not poked with your nose: you want to save money you will receive a ponspetan! They give you an absolutely normal car. And this is actually very pleasant.

About adequacy and omnivorousness
But it becomes even more pleasant when Citroen C-Yelysee or Peugeot 301 begin movement! To be honest, to look for what the fundamental difference of these machines with different engines is better in tables. In reality, a 1.6-liter gasoline, that the same volume of diesel behaves absolutely adequately. They are accelerated as you expect from them, they begin to scream at high speeds (by the way, both cars turned out, although with quiet salons, they actively miss the sound outside). And after reaching the moment, you can go very briskly. Even the youngest motor with his 1200 cubes and he tries, drags! Only screams a little more strained. And the machine does not spoil the picture. Although sometimes she helpfully hungs at high speeds, waiting for your reaction either to pull-crop, or switch. The idea is good, there is only a lot of revision! In any case, negativity with their manners that Citroen, that Peugeot is not left.

But the suspension is generally a continuous positive! No matter how the duet from PSA selected the title of Eater Equabilities from a recognized leader in this part of the logan. The highway, a broken local road, mountain asphalt, in some places turning into a gravel, C-Yelysee and the 301st take all the playful! The work of the suspension of the energy intensive and elastic band. Diesel versions are felt a little more rolling (they are configured for a heavier engine in their own way), but there is no discomfort either. Honestly, I have not received such pleasure from, in fact, utilitarian cars!

In general, to whom the developed PEGEOT grille, to whom a storyteller from Citroen chevrons. Decide by virtue of your aesthetic addictions! And it’s more interesting for me by something else: in the hottest segment from 445,000 (set by the current leader of Hyundai Solaris), a whole group of new rivals is published in 2013! And that Citroen C-Yelysee, that Peugeot 301 put up their very serious general arguments in it. Among which, first of all, is the suspension. I personally stock up on popcorn! I will follow this battle for the hearts and wallets of the buyer. It seems that the battle will be exciting!

A source: Cars