PEUGEOT test drive 301 since 2012 sedan

PEUGEOT 301 Test drive: Turkish gambit

In 2013, more than fifty new models will appear on the Russian car market. But perhaps the most anticipated of them will be the budget sedan Peugeot 301, which we experienced on the roads of resort Antalya.


Why Antalya? Everything is just Turkey was the first country where the sales of Peugeot 301 began. The novelty appeared in Algeria, Morocco, and by May it will reach Russia. But in Western Europe there will be no this machine! The French decided to sacrifice the home region in favor of more promising markets of Latin America, the Middle East, China and Russia. Moreover, such a gambit is more than justified.

In developing countries, where compact sedans account for up to 2/3 of cars in segments b and C, Peugeot 301 with hands will be torn off, and who needs it in the West? And the volume of release of this model at the Spanish factory in Vigo is not unlimited here can collect no more than 90,000 cars a year. Moreover, this is the maximum capacity, and the planned one, to which the plant will reach 75,000 cars by 2014. The same number of Peugeot 301 will be produced in China, but those cars will only go to the local market. But in Russia it is not planned to collect a novelty


It is also not planned to produce Peugeot 301 with a different type of body, except for the sedan. It's a pity! Considering that outwardly this model is very similar to the Peugeot 508, it would have made an excellent station wagon. Well, the version in a stylish off -road kit, like a hybrid station wagon Peugeot 508 RHX, could generally become megapopular. At least, it is precisely such thoughts that the amateur photoshop variations of the novelty found on the Internet.

However, in the current body, this model looks good, and compared to its predecessor Iranian sedan Peugeot 206 is completely great! At the same time, Peugeot 301 is also very practical. Its wheelbase is one of the largest in class, 2 650 mm (more than Renault Logan or Hyundai Solaris).


The trunk is rather big 506 liters, and under the floor there is still a place for a full -size spare tire.

In the cabin, not a piece of soft plastic, however, it does not cause budget sensations. And with ergonomics there is a complete order. That's just the windows buttons are located not on the doors, but on the central console. And if you control the front windows are quite convenient (you just need to get used to the location of the buttons), then the rear passengers stretch to the keys between the backs of the front seats are far and inconvenient.


So if possible, this option is better to abandon ordinary door oars will not be more convenient for an example. And it is also incomprehensible: why does the central round regulator are not responsible for the volume on the standard radio (what would be logical), but for setting up the frequency of the radio station? However, it seems that this is a national feature of French machines at Renault Duster Music Management is exactly the same.


The space from the knees of the rear passenger to the back of the driver's seat is 120 mm no worse than in the business class car.

The sedan was based on platform 1, on which Peugeot 208 was also built, but the chassis was finalized. New springs and shock absorbers not only increased the energy intensity of the suspension, but also lifted the car above the ground. Depending on the market, the road clearance of the sedan is boiled from 138 to 142 mm, but the highest option will come to Russia, and with additional steel protection of the crankcase. The test puff had no defense, which, however, did not prevent us from grabbing the mountains, the motley coating of which would be envied by any testing ground.

No wonder the organizers of the test drive brought local roads as one of the arguments in favor of choosing Antalya. Here, not only broken asphalt and primer were found, but even a plot and attended by paving slabs (!), Which became an excellent alternative to a laboratory vibration industry. To the honor of PEUGEOT designers, the sedan steadily suffered all the bullying. Not a single breakdown in the suspension happened, although she worked out the blows quite rigidly. The steering wheel was not sharp enough to enter a steep turn, the steering wheel had to be pretty twisted.


At the same time, if you overdo it, the car began revenge with its tail, slipping the rear axle out of turn. And although this happened only on a rocky primer, where the guarantees that the car will not behave on wet or icy asphalt in a similar way?

But if you don’t drive particularly, then maybe nothing, it will cost. Moreover, the pepper equipped with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine does not have at all. 115 horses are enough for unhurried movement in space, but nothing more. And, perhaps, the only thing that pleases in it is a good craving on the bottom. But the automated version of the same motor, equipped with an ancient 4-speed automatic transmission, did not please at all.

The car seemed to be replaced: the already not a frisky sedan began to frankly stupid. At first, the machine does not react to the sharp press of the gas pedal at first, as if it would pause for thinking, and then, realizing that it was required, jumps down a couple of gears immediately, and the car jumps forward, stunning the surroundings with a heart -rending roar of the motor. But those who do not think of cars without a machine gun, to the absurd nature of this transmission will have to get used to another two -pedal version of Peugeot 301 The French did not prepare.


The sedan will go to Russia with a package for bad roads: an enlarged clearance, steel protection of a crankcase, an enhanced battery and a washer of an increased capacity.

For those who are friends with a pen, the choice of modifications of the sedan is much wider: this model is also equipped with a 72-horsepower gasoline engine with a volume of 1.2 liters and a 1.6-liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 92 hp. Moreover, the last motor (by the way, the most popular diesel in the world) will appear in Russia! Of course, the price of such a car will bite, but it's worth it. Despite the lower power, the Peugeot 301 with a diesel engine turned out to be much brisk than with a gasoline engine of the same volume. Moreover, the machine not only accelerates perfectly (which, with a torque of 230 nm, is not surprising from 1750 rpm), but also feels perfectly on the high -speed highway, delighting with acceptance, efficiency and relatively low level of noise in the cabin.


And what is the most dead version, is she going? Imagine, rides, and how! Due to the selection of short gears, the 72-horsepower Peugeot 301 is accelerated, like a real lighter, just have time to wield a gearbox lever. The motor briskly spins (did not have time to blink an eye, and the tachometer arrow is already in the red zone), but at the same time it is equally quickly exhausted. After 100 km/h, the car accelerates extremely reluctantly, and obsessively voting the motor requires a non-existent 6th gear.

However, as an option for the city, a 1.2-liter pepper will be good, and the price for it will probably be acceptable. Which one? We will learn this closer to the start of sales. One thing is known for now: the twin brother of three hundred and one with the Sitroen badge will cost in Russia from 455,900 rubles.

Competitors Peugeot 301 in the Russian market
The French state employee will have to fight in Russia with formidable rivals and primarily with the bestseller of Hyunday Solaris. The Korean sedan is sold with us with two gasoline engines: 1.4 (107 hp) and 1.6 (123 hp). In a couple to both engines, you can choose both a five -speed mechanics and a four -band machine. Price - from 445,000 rubles.

Hyundai Solaris
Solaris's cousin - Kia Rio - also plays in the budget league. In the reserve of the Korean, a stylish appearance, an extended list of basic equipment and the same as Hyunde, motors and gearboxes. Price - from 479 900 rubles.

Kia Rio
The honor of the German auto industry in this class is defended by Volkswagen Polo Sedan. On the side of the sedan, a thoughtful and comfortable interior, balanced handling and time -tested engine 1.6 (105 hp). Price - from 449,000 rubles.

Volkswagen Polo Sedan
In the same price category, you can also purchase Chevrolet Aveo. The sedan stands out, first of all, with a rapid design. However, the other characteristics are an average representative of his class with his advantages and disadvantages. Price - from 444,000 rubles.

Chevrolet Aveo
For the same money in the spring of 2013, another budget employee of Chevrolet - Cobalt can be purchased. The inexpressive appearance of the machine is compensated by the internal volume. Cobalt is one of the largest representatives of the class. Price - from 444,000 rubles.

Chevrolet Cobalt
Another potential competitor that has not yet reached Russia is Skoda Rapid. True, the Czech car is only like a sedan. In fact, Rapid is an elevator with a very capacious trunk. With what engines and at what price Skoda will be sold in Russia is not yet clear.
 

A source: Wheel magazine [January 2013]