Test Drive Renault Fluence since 2009 Sedan

Flux and ficus. Who will win?

Renault Fluence is a third-generation megane, only in the body of a sedan. From which the modifications were decided to give a separate name, one God is known. Since the end of last year, Fluence is produced on the Turkish Oyak-Renault plant in Bursa. A novelty has been developed by the joint efforts of Renault-Nissan engineers. The architectural basis of Fluence passed by inheritance from Megane II. Front suspension and steering new, and the rear semi-dependent beam got a newcomer from Nissan Tiida.


The innovations of Flyuens (we gave him a nickname flux) went to favor. It feels more accurate and more pleasant, the cinema is slightly less despite the fact that the suspension has become slightly tough. Although the running still allows you to not notice the rubber polismen, and painlessly jump over them at speeds up to 70 km / h. Go to dalnyak on a broken road one pleasure. Civilian five-door megan, who weedly tested, feel tangible, but he rulitsya gambling.


Competitors in the C-grade among sedans from this couple mass. Volkswagen Jetta (from 640000 rubles.), Honda Civic (from 620000rub.), Toyota Corolla (from 637,000 rubles), Mitsubichi Lancer X (from 600000 rubles), Opel Astra Sedan (from 540000 rubles), Kia Cerato (from 560000 rub.), Hyundai Elantra (from 578000 rubles), Mazda3 (from 620000 rubles), Chevrolet Cruze (from 540000 rubles), Suzuki SX4 Sedan (from 535,000 rubles), Subaru Impreza (from 638,000 rubles)

106-strong 1.6-liter motor, which develops 145 nm (in the version with a manual box 151 nm), while the only one offered for fluence in Russia. The chassis with these settings is easy to move more desperately, nevertheless, natural dynamics limiters are a small motor in a company with stretched transmissions of the four-step automatic transmission (we have a machine with a machine gun).

 
In front of both MacPherson. In the focus behind the independent suspension, at the fluence, a semi-independent H-shaped beam. Fuel consumption in the city in a 106-strong flux was kept at a mark of 13 13.2 liters per 100 km. At the same time, a 145-strong ficus in a similar mode has driven 12.2-12.5 liters, despite the fact that the latter provides much more tangible
 

Riding on the highway with speeds above 110 km / h special pleasure is no longer delivered. According to winding bilateral roads with lifting, where the time of overtaking should be minimal, it is clearly not enough to drive on the flux to the intensive acceleration. This would be gasoline 2.0 (140 hp, 195 nm) or at least 105-strong (240 nm) Diesel 1.5 DCI, with which the flux is sold in Europe. For economical Europeans, a deformed version of the 1,5-liter diesel engine, developing 85 hp and 200 Newton meters.


Fluence stream flow

As a reference measure, a popular two-liter Ford Focus sedan with a four-step automatic was taken to our fluence. It is clear that according to the dynamics of the machine, it is not entirely correct ficus clearly faster. But the rest of the car was very interesting.

 
Renault-Nissan is not free to chalk playing signs: Samsung Motors, some of whose shares belongs to the Alliance, in South Korea produces fluence designation SM3!

Focus perfectly holds the trajectory and moderately rolls in turns. The flux falls on the side more thanks, but it is more comfortable and quieter, more low-frequency harmonics from tires clearly penetrates the Ford's salon. The suspension in the flux of bumps works quieter, although already by 1500 kilometers in the cabin somewhere under the trim, a cricket has started.

The fluence of the steering wheel in the parking spaces is quite weightless. In proportion to the rate of speed, the ram is poured force, zero is clear. Focus steering is somewhat more informative, although efforts need to be made more. The efficiency of the electro-hydroxidant in Ford also changes depending on the speed, but here, in addition, you can choose one of three fixed settings (normal, comfortable, sports), changing the performance of the amplifier. Focus on parking and in the courtyard maneuverin, the diameter of the reversal here is 10.1 meters versus 11.1 in the flux. In the last steering wheel, even longer than 3.2 turns from the stop until it stops against 2.8.

The bore of both cars is struggling with demolitions, and with driving is good. The focus electronics is stricter, it comes into effect particularly without it. In this case, the ESP can be turned off with the anti-test system completely, and at any speed. At Flyuens, a safe collar is untouched, only antibux can deactivate and then at speeds up to 50 km / h, which is generally reasonable.


The central lock in fluence automatically closes the doors at a speed of 10 km / h, there is no such chip in the focus. In addition, Renaults as an option offers contactless access (the key card can be kept constantly in pocket) with the button launching the engine

ABS Frenchman is focused on a more experienced driver. When braking, when various coatings are located under the wheels of different sides, the flux moderate leads to the side where the clutch coefficient is better. The braking path with such a configuration is shorter, but the unfolding moment that occurs when painting, the driver needs to be compensated independently, not every newcomer will understand how. The focus in these conditions is more stable, when braking on heterogeneous coatings on ABS, it moves straight. With the highest possible deceleration, when the anti-lock system works, the Ford is sweeping behind the wheel.

The brakes at fluence are more sensitive and informative. So really, it is worth throwing a shoelace on a short pedal, like a car at the same moment begins to slowly slow down. Focus pedal has a longer and less informative. First you choose the move, and then the car, as if sprinkling, sharply coars the nose. Well further adjustment of the deceleration occurs due to changes in the Pressure Pressure

In sports mode, the fluence box willingly hangs on low transmissions, keeps the engine in the tone at elevated circulation and allows you to actively accelerate on the current transmission at any time. At the same time, if the turnover reaches the maximum, the box independently switches to increased transmission. The focus is the same. The exception is the first gear, here on the cutoff is allowed to ride how long, up the box will not switch under any circumstances.

 
The climate management and music in the flux is condensed in two blocks. Hemps that have a big and soft move is very nice to press. But the size of the keys and the pictograms on them are small, especially in the music management unit. Glove boxes in both machines are cooled, but the fluence volume and depth is much more
 
In the kick-down mode, the machines of both machines are able to descend immediately into two programs down. In both cases, the reaction rate to pressing the gas pedal is sufficient, but the fluence box, especially when the down transitions, works with large jokes, such a shock mode of switching makes the ride somewhat more dynamic and to some extent compensates for insufficient engines.


In focus, the central console is also not a masterpiece. The main puncture in the day with sufficient external lighting red lights with silver paint does not contrast at all. Consider with a magnifying glass to which button they click during the movement there is no time. With insufficient illumination there are no problems. Focus boas an additional small box located on the front panel. Really require taxi drivers?

Ergonomics. The ranges of seat control and steering columns are identical, but landing is more convenient in focus Anatomical hugging backs with advanced support is conveniently fixed to the body. In the fluence you sit more vertically, the seat cushion is shorter here, and the backs are wider, the latters are kept worse. But at Flyuens a pedal node is free. In the focus, the distance between the central tunnel and the brake pedal too little wide shoe is also the right to cling to the edge of the brake pedal. Quickly shift the leg with the pressure on the brake, without clinging for the last, difficult. But this is extra meters for emergency braking!

Fluens is longer than 20 cm focus. And it did not pass in vain, in the internal volumes the differences are quite noticeable. Renault boasted a huge 530-liter trunk, in the cargo compartment of Ford Concrete you can pour only 467 liters. The salon is longer at Flyuens, there is more freedom on his gallery, the spaces for the legs are larger, but over the head of the margin is smaller. But Fordovtsov from the edge of the sofa were prudently located a niche, wherein the trim in the trim, the tricks will not have to seek for the passage)

Sound in the test focus is chic, although to the present High-fi far away. The most sophisticated audio system (radio package 62, costs 28,900 rubles), which includes the Sony's head device, gives a bright sound with a good bass potential for rock, club music, and even more so Pops, just right. The head has a Bluetooth radio interface, through which a loud connection is implemented. USB and AUX connectors for connecting external sources wisely hidden in boxing between front seats, there is also a 12-volt socket for powering external devices. In fluence, the sound is correct (no color in the field of female vocal), but it is less effective than the power of acoustics below and lacks the luxurious Lower Bass, which affects the imagination in focus. Head device with Bluetooth and USB and AUX interfaces in flux option.

Fluence in the simplest authentique performance costs 559,500 rubles. This is a machine equipped with a manual box, on the stamped fifteenth wheels with a pair of pillows, ABS and front electric windows. As options in this configuration, heated front seats are offered plus adjustment in height (8600 rubles) and MP3 receiver with a submissive joystick and a four-channel audio system (10,000 rubles). The machine is offered in the second execution of Confort, such a car will cost 621500 rubles.

 
In civil focus, four front pair airbags are maximally available (go in standard), and a pair of side (optional), protecting shoulders and a chest passengers. ABS in the database. Side curtains protecting heads and necks for saddles with side and space-front blows are available on European cars. In Russia, the curtains are offered only for charged modifications of ST and RS. The control system of the option for which is asked for 10900 rubles.
Fluences in the simplest authentique execution has two frontal airbags and ABS. In the Expression variations optionally offered a control system (19500 rubles), and the pillows here are already six. According to the EURO NCAP Ford Focus and Renault Megan III testing (in fact, it is fluence, only with the Hatchback body) both have received a five-star security rating. According to passive safety flux, the focus is better than the focus of 36.8 points against 35. But in the rest of the Ford disciplines (the European version with six pillows was experiencing) better or on equal. In particular, for protection during frontal strike, Ford received 16 points against 15.8. Protection of passengers - children 40 points against 39. Ford is also friendly and to pedestrians 15 points against 11

The most expensive performance of Dynamique (it is fixed and the additional options in it can not be rejected) was on our test, the cost of such a car 677,500 wooden. There is everything that your heart is. Six airbags, bias control system, double-zone climate, cruise control, bixenon light, rain and light sensors, fog, electrochromic mirror, invincible access, automatically folding heated electrical floating, sunscreen curtains for rear windows, audio system with Bluetooth and USB interfaces, and Also the AUX connector.


Boc Flyuens is not bad protected from contact parking with massive moldings

Focus prices in the body Sedan will start with a mark of 468,000 rubles per car with a 80-strong 1.4, manual box, a pair of airbag and ABS. Numerous options that can be dial can breed the cost of the machine to 860 thousand rubles. Our 145-strong ficus, equipped with automatic transmission, was performed by Titanium, from options in it were wheels with sixteen-day alloy wheels, four pillows, a bonus system, a two-zone climate, bixenon headlamps with a washer, windshield with heating, heated front armchairs with electrically regulators, Automatically foldable heated electrox, 230-volt sockets in the back of the cabin, trimmed audio system with Bluetooth, USB and AUX-input and much more. Comparable on dynamics and the number of additional equipment with test fluence focus would cost 738,000 rubles. The cost of regulatory maintenance is approximately the same, but prices for spare parts in Flyuens below.

 
Warranty on fluence for three years or 100,000 km of run, warranty from end-cutting corrosion of body six years. Renault has a help program on Renault Assistance. In the event of a malfunction leading to the impossibility of further operation, the assistance service organizes or repairing on the spot, or the evacuation of the car to the nearest dealer center. The service is valid during the warranty for a new car. Warranty on focus Two years or 100,000 kilometers. End-to-end corrosion can also not be afraid of six years

So what's the result? Fluences cheaper, more comfortable, and a little more good, moreover, he has the opportunity to order execution with inflatable curtains. The focus is better in controllability, but somewhat loses the Frenchman in Comfort. The flexibility of the selection of focus additional equipment and accessories is unprecedented, besides, Ford has a wide range of power units (gasoline motors 1.4 (80 hp), 1.6 (100 and 115 hp) 1.8 (125 hp), 2.0 (145 hp), diesel 1.8 (115 hp)). Fluence is still sold with the only 106-strong gasoline 1.6. Although in the summer, Roshniks promise to bring a two-liter 140-strong modification that will receive a variator.

Vitaly Kabyshev
Photo by the author and euro ncap


Specifications
Renault Fluence 1.6 AT Ford Focus 2.0 AT
Body
Type sedan sedan.
Engine
Working volume, see 1598 1999
Power, hp at rpm 106 at 6000 145 at 6000
Torque, nm at rpm 145 at 4250 185 at 4500
Dimensions, weight, volumes
Length, mm 4620 4481
Width, mm 1809 1839
Height, mm 1479 1497
Wheel base, mm 2703 2640
Clearance, mm 120
Curb weight, kg 1280 1427
Dynamic characteristics
Overclocking from space up to 100 km / h, from 13.9 10.8
Maximum speed, km / h 180 196
Fuel consumption
Medium conditional fuel consumption, l / 100 km 7.5 8.0
City, l / 100 km 10.6 11.2
Highway, l / 100 km 5.8 6.1


Estimates
Renault Fluence 1.6 AT Ford Focus 2.0 AT
Design 4.0 4.5.
Ergonomics 4.0 4.0.
Comfortable 5.0 4.5.
Finishing 4.5.5.
Service Availability 5.0 5.0
Fitness to Russian Conditions 5.0 5.0
Reliability 4.5 4.5.
Owls 4.0 4.5
Price-Quality ratio 4.5 4.0
Image 4.0 4.5.
Total rating 4.45 4.50

 

A source: AUTO.Mail.Ru.