Test drive by Renault Megane Sedan 1999 - 2003 sedan

To golf for money

Globalization is erasing border, however, national features in cars of different brands are preserved. This autopilot was convinced by the example of three sedans of the popular class C: Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Bora and Renault Megane Classic.
There are people for whom the origin of the car is crucial. One believes that all cars are divided into Japanese and bad. For another, German is a synonym for high -quality. The third is convinced that both according to the charm and by pleasure from the management, no one can compare with the French. The fourth ... however, three are enough. At least in class C in our market it is Japanese, German and French brands that offer and sell most cars. And, in particular, with a sedan body traditionally beloved by our people. To find out what the national features are, we decided on the example of three representatives of brands that are among the leaders of the so-called golf class: the new generation Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Bora and Renault Megane Classic. All selected models are equipped with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine and mechanical transmission.
   
The facing of the front line, made in the style of Yaris, clearly becomes proprietary for the current Toyota
Longer, higher, wider. Most companies have long selected designers and designers without looking at national affiliation. On the contrary, they try to create a mixed team in order to ensure the circulation of new ideas. Nevertheless, in the appearance of our three heroes, the variety of origin is quite noticeable. Renault next to his classmates looks very long, and this impression is strengthened by the smallest height among this three. It is not surprising that on the road this car seems more than it really is - a skillful game on stereotypes, when a person subconsciously increases the car that looks like big. The angular Bora also looks big: it is not just wider than everyone - this impression is emphasized by the design of the front line. True, the short trunk does not look very stylish ... The freshest of the compared models, Corolla, in full accordance with the latest trends, is made quite high - a sort of hint of minivan. The salon as a result turned out to be spacious, but in general the car looks too practical. And if Bora and Megane Classic clearly tried to push themselves to another market segment, and not notious, then Toyota honestly admits its class affiliation. There is nothing wrong with this, but as a result, the model loses that part of the market that can conditionally call compact prestigious sedans.
   
The console looks somewhat eclectic, but it is quite possible to come to terms with this. The standard radio is located conveniently and is equipped with RDS. The electric drive of the front windows is included in the average set of R1 (they are not on R0, but on R2 are electrified and rear)
 
Modern, and compared to classmates - even the avant -garde engine design with variable phases of gas distribution made it possible to achieve high power, efficiency and even operation in almost the entire speed range
As for the style, traditionally avant -garde French in this case lose: Megane against the background of controversial, but memorable proportions of Bora and fashion contours of Corolla, it seems somewhat outdated. What is explained by age. However, some tradition in appearance also works to create an image of a more solid car.
And yet they are different! It is simply amazing how diverse it is possible to arrange the driver's workplace, despite the fairly unified ergonomic standards. At the same time, the location of the devices and controls in Corolla can be considered close to the ideal. In any case, the layout of the console with the audio system and the air conditioner’s remote control allows you to be the smallest degree to be distracted from the road. The choice of a place for the air conditioning panel at Bora - at the very bottom of the console - it is difficult to recognize successful. Especially due to the fact that the keys and display are small. On the Renault, the console would be more convenient if it were not for the inclination of its lower part.
But Corolla loses a little on adjustments - the lack of installation of the longitudinal position of the steering wheel limits the possibilities for convenient planting of some drivers. And visibility due to a too high window sill, it seems insufficient.
     
golf is especially obvious on the side of the side: the short base is clearly striking, so that the efforts of designers led to a very original result
 
Stylish part VW is an extravagant bright blue lighting. It looks great, but sometimes tired ... although this is a matter of taste and habits. But in general, the Volkswagen salon makes the most solid impression. The accuracy of working out details and attention to the little things work perfectly on the image of a high -class car.
   
By the thoughtfulness of the details and the thoroughness of the Volkswagen interior, it remains a leader in any class. What are the completely closing deflectors of the ventilation system (the need for this idea is quite controversial, but it looks beautiful) or chrome frames on many small elements. Without explanation, a strange neglect of the ventilation system remains, the control panel of which is located so low that both larger numbers and buttons would have to look for
For example, from compared cars only on Bora, the rear seat folds in parts. It is not separated by Megane, and the folding process itself is not too thought out: to lower the back, you need to simultaneously press two buttons on the outer parts. To do it alone, to put it mildly, is not easy. On Corolla, the seat is completely fixed. However, in the following parties, dealers plan to order this modification with a folding seat. Still, this will not hurt for a family car. By the way, a detail that is very characteristic of the general approach of designers and marketers: only on Bora, the inside of the trunk lid has a finish. On other models - naked metal.
 
Corolla salon can be called pragmatic - there is everything you need, done very high quality, looks modern, but there is not enough sensation of style. Which is in abundance on Renault. However, in the latter, some savings are noticeable as for finishing materials and assembly accuracy. Alas, the ideal seems to be unattainable. But there is an opportunity to choose. For example, with all the advantages of Bora, the rear seat does not seem very spacious - due to the inclined glass, a feeling of tightness arises. In combination with a huge range of adjustment of the front seats, the second row intended mainly for children will have to be considered. This is the general problem of the entire family on the A4 platform (recall, in addition to Bora, it includes Golf, Octavia, Toledo, A3 and TT)
The matter of technology. In terms of technical solutions, the title of pragmatic deserves just VW: a classic semi -dependent suspension behind this class, a long -produced motor - it even has only eight valves ... Nevertheless, the car behaves very well - the experience and competent configuration of the units affects . Another VW can be called a leader by pleasure from control - steering wheel amplifier, box, accelerator and brakes are obedient and provide optimal feedback. The only thing that does not fit into this row is too sharp grip.
   
rolla cannot but admire its ultra -modern engine. This is generally one of the few models of its class equipped with a power unit with variable phases of gas distribution. In general, Japanese engines used to differ mainly by advantages, but this one is really close to the ideal: in any mode, it behaves optimally-responsive and elastic. Unfortunately, this cannot be said about the gearbox, more precisely, about the switching mechanism. It was amazing to meet such fuzzy fixation on a Japanese car, which are actually famous for the thoughtfulness and premedession in detail. An unpleasant surprise was also presented by the brake pedal, which seems to work at the switch level: either we go or slow down to the fullest. Of course, as the machine is being developed, it will be possible to learn more precisely to dose the brake force. But you must admit, it is better when there is no need to study.
     
then here is the most spacious and comfortable glove compartment of our three: with a shelf inside and all sorts of clamps for glasses, pens and plastic cards shaped in the lid
 
The sweeping stylization of the Megane instrument panel did not benefit: all these ovals and roundness already seem old -fashioned. But here is the most spacious and comfortable glove compartment of our three: with a shelf inside and all sorts of clamps for glasses, pens and plastic cards shaped in the lid
 
Renault takes the middle position: the modern engine almost does not lag behind the Toyota motor. For French manufacturers, traditionally important markets are former colonies in North Africa and South America, so it can be assumed that Renault units are quite condescending to various operating conditions and quality of consumables.
 
True, it is not worth experimenting, but anything happens in life. This unpretentiousness is especially noticeable in the characteristics of the suspension: relatively long -term and energy -intensive (from our three it is perhaps best for a variety of Russian roads) and at the same time well -minded. But - again, traditionally for the French - the box is a little disappointed with its long gears.
 
Who to be friends with? Well, nationality really makes itself felt. The Frenchman is spacious, inexpensive, well equipped, feels great on our roads, but it looks how stylish, so old -fashioned, and also has a lot of minor flaws. As they say, the speed does not affect, and yet it is unpleasant. The German, thanks to the efforts of designers and the specifics of the stamp position in our market, can be considered the most prestigious of the three. This reinforces the impression of Bora, as from a car, thought out to the smallest detail. But, firstly, a little expensive, and secondly, it is also not without flaws. A Japanese woman is an excellent choice as a family machine (if a folding rear seat really appears on it), it occupies an average position in price and scare away a potential buyer perhaps not thoroughly thoroughly in the current time configured gearboxes and the brake pedal. Yes, not yet quite a classic appearance. But this is a matter of taste - as they say, or you need checkers, or you need to go.
 
Text Valery Chusov, photo Alexey Ilyin
 
Model/Modification Toyota Corolla Renault Megane Classic Volkswagen Bora
The manufacturer/country Toyota Motor Manoufactoring Turkey, Inc/Turkey Renault S.A./Tulation Volkswagen AG/Germany
BODY
Type sedan sedan
Number of doors/places 4/5 4/5 4/5
ENGINE
Basin gasoline type gasoline with electronic injection gasoline with electronic injection
The location in front, transversely in front, transversely in front, transversely
Working volume (cubic meter) 1598 1598 1595
Number/location of cylinders 4/in -line 4/in -line 4/in -line
Design features 16 cl., VVT-I (variable phases of gas distribution) 16 cl. No
Power, kW (L.S.) at about./Min. 81 (108) at 6000 81 (110) at 5750 74 (102) at 5600
Moment (Nm at about./Min.) 150 at 4800 148 at 3750 145 at 3800
TRANSMISSION
Front front drive
The gearbox is mechanical, 5-speed mechanical, 5-speed mechanical, 5-speed
SUSPENSION
The anterior independent type Mcphereson, the repercative -resistant type stabilizer, the McPherson type, the transverse stability stabilizer Independent type Mcphereson, the reptile stabilizer
The rear spring, semi -dependent, on the longitudinal levers associated with a beam, the cross -stability stabilizer torsion, independent, on the longitudinal levers, the reptile stabilizer is spring, semi -dependent, on longitudinal levers associated with a beam, a reptile stabilizer
STEERING
Type gear rack with a hydraulic booster gear-rake with a hydraulic booster of a gear-rake with a hydraulic booster
Min. The diameter of the turn (m) 10.2 11.4 10.9
Brakes
Front/rear circular ventilated/disk ventilated/drum disk ventilated/disk
Additional ABS+EBD ABS+Emergency Braking ABS+EBD
Dimensions/volumes/weight
Length/width/height (mm) 4385/1710/1470 4436/1628/1420 4376/1735/1446
Wheel base (mm) 2600 2580 2513
Equipped mass (kg) 1115 1090 1185
Tires 195/60 R15 185/60 R15 195/65 R15
Discs 6J 6J 6J
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed (km/h) 190 198 188
Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) 10.2 9.9 11.7
Economy
Fuel consumption, highway/city (l/100 km) 5.9/9.0 5.7/9.4 6.0/10.6
The price in Moscow is $ 15,900 $ 14,900 $ 15,950
 
Prices for additional equipment in Moscow
Model/Modification Toyota Corolla Renault Megane Classic Volkswagen Bora
Automatic transmission $ 1200 $ 1000 $ 1300
Basic elements of standard configuration
Airbags for the driver/front passenger are/eat/eat/eat/eat
Air conditioning is there is a climate control
Central castle/du is/no/eat/eat/eat
Adjustment of the steering column by inclination/in length is/no/no/eat/eat
Electric windows in front/rear there is/no/no option
Electric drive/heating of mirrors is/no/eat an option
Radio/number of speakers is/4 is there/4 options
Heating the front seats no no option
The rear seat is folding whole/in parts is/eat* eat/no/eat/eat

* There was no copy on the tested copy
 

Source: "Autopilot"