Renault Symbol test drive since 2008 sedan
The power of weapons
Renault Symbol. Price: from 371 275 rubles. On sale: Since October 2008 For the trouble of competitors, the new Renault Symbol finally found happiness, turning from an ugly duckling into a delicious duck. And if earlier his main trumps were profitable against the backdrop of classmates of driving qualities, now a truly pretty exterior has been added to them. And most importantly, this significant bonus went to him for mere pennies!
The new generation Renault Symbol will be on sale, the company's training managers of the company are already laid out the strengths of the model on the brain shelves of sellers. Although all the advantages of the car over competitors are in the literal sense of the word in sight ...
The life of the model began seven years ago, when from a pleasant in all respects, the Renault Clio II hatchback made a Symbol sedan for developing markets of third world countries. The idea was correct for example, in Russia this type of body is still on the top of the popularity. But the performance gave, frankly, great doubtfulness. As if stuck to the hetchbeck with someone's playful hand, the bulging trunk of the car looked atavistically alien, resembling a man’s tail, more
known as the tailbone. However, he was not a rudiment: there were many things that climbed out, and sales of the model went well with a good budget newcomer almost betrayed the dear parent. But the only real advantage of Renault Symbol was that for a modest amount an unpretentious buyer could receive a car of a European brand equipped with an automatic gearbox. This market proposal remains the same strong in the new life of the model. Even an average of 5%, the price is not able to change the situation profitable for the Renault. After all, the car itself has blossomed and approached, which shut up deeply behind the belt of the charm of a low -sympathetic predecessor. Now the target audience (family couples with children, and especially young girls) will not have to hide your Symbol from friends who often let go of rude jokes addressed to him.
The newcomer is perceived in a completely different way, he would not have a single old line! First of all, the sedan looks truly three-, and not double-bearing and half, as before: the body has gained correct proportions. The smooth transition from the roof to the trunk contributes to the formation of a whole image of the model. And this sensation is fixed by the governing car stamping, which is closed by the front bumper. According to the general style of the front, Symbol echoes the Renault Sandero hatchback, due to the similar form of headlights and radiator grille. There is even a chromium -covered bar on the edge of the hood! The same as on the lid of the trunk: according to the design of designers, they should give the car sophistication and status.
This idea is also chrome inserts on a slightly transformed front panel, as well as noticeable seams with large screeds on the steering wheel and seats. Actually, they bring notes of cosmetic novelty to the interior. Everything else, including decoration materials, the configuration of the seats and the instrument panels, as well as ergonomic solutions, remained the same. With a slight exception, such loyalty is quite justified: for its class and price, the filling of that Symbol was very good. But what prevented the revision of the steering wheel of the steering wheel, too overwhelming forward, and therefore interfering with proper landing or rest on the rim with your knees, or stretch your hands too much to the stern. Truly good for the model was the unexpected appearance of third side windows. Together with enlarged external mirrors, they improve the viewing of previously a wide rear string predecessor. Another important fact from the life of the reborn Symbol: unlike the previous generation, the novelty has become a completely independent model, absolutely unrelated to Clio hatchback. But the platform and the power unit crossed him inherited almost in full. The palette of engines for the Russian market was reduced by halves, but the 1.4 -liner gasoline engine with a capacity of 98 forces is suitable for the machine much more than 75 -horsepower of the same volume.
The cohabitation with a 4 -speed assault rifle is not a joy to the groovy tandem with all the desire. A smooth calm ride with even switching can only be changed to languid torn acceleration with small deeds for changing speeds, in acoustic accompaniment of the choir of subpoor horses when the tachometer arrow departs to the high -speed zone. However, lovers of active movements among potential buyers Renault Symbol are a clear minority. And for them there is a more dynamic option with a 5 -speed manual. This couple lives easier. It is only necessary to promote the engine to 3000 min-1 during switching, to overtake with a margin in time, and before the hillocks to go in advance to a lower gear. But in the cabin you can have a calm conversation without trying to shout out the noise from the engine. And without depreciation to the roof on irregularities: the suspension perfectly works out all the flaws of the roadway, with almost no breaks. Yes, and the rolls are large with all desire. The steering wheel of medium -sized severity (3.2 turns from the stop to the stop) has a clear zero that excludes the adjustment of the trajectory of the car when moving in a straight line. However, in speed maneuvering, its insufficient information content is manifested, which is expressed in slow reactions to driver's calls.
However, let's move from the introductory raid on the capabilities of the life realities of the model. The sedan still continues to be produced only for the countries of the third echelon. But global plans are associated with the novelty in Renault: this Symbol will become a symbol of the future update of the entire line of the brand. So, we have a chance to see the same independent, attractive and symbolic new cars with a rhomboid emblem soon. In the most diverse sense of these epithets! Turkish
When developing a new Symbol, an international team of Renault engineers actively used digital technologies. Therefore, the design of the model was created in a record short periods of two years and two months. As before, the car leaves the assembly line of the Turkish factory in the city of Bursa. The choice of a site for production is associated with a convenient location of the enterprise in the immediate vicinity of sales markets: Russia, Turkey, Romania and Algeria. Investments in the project, including investments directly in the production itself, amounted to 100 million euros.
We do not love
Capacious
The volumetric 506 -liter trunk of the car has an even floor and a wide opening, which allows you to conveniently load and easily transport a decent amount of things.
Elegant
Optionally, the sedan can be equipped with a pretty spoiler that perfectly performs a decorative function.
Technical characteristics Renault Symbol 1.4 Dimensions 4261/1940/1439
Gasoline engine, 1390 cm3, 98 hp/6000 min-1
Mechanical transmission, 5 -speed
Dynamics Max 186 km/h; 11.2 s to 100 km/h
Competitors Chevrolet Aveo, Hyundai Accent, Peugeot 206 sedan
Advantages and disadvantages
+ New attractive appearance, pleasant price, good running qualities, roomy trunk.
An inconvenient position of the steering wheel, mediocre dynamics with a gun.
Driving
The car accelerates measuredly, slows down well and keeps the road well. Only high -speed restructuring is given to him with difficulty.
4 points
Salon
Free space is enough for the transportation of four adults, the decoration materials are modest, and ergonomics are pleasant.
4.5 points
Comfort
Superior engineers did a great job. True, with that model.
5 points
Security One pillow of safety and an enhanced body structure is already not enough today.
2 points
Price
The model is new, and the cost is almost old.
5 points
Our opinion
Love us badly, everyone will love us pretty. That was the motto of Renault Symbol before. And those who are capabilities and the price of a car are more important than appearance chose it. Preserving all the advantages of the ancestor, the new model gained attractiveness, which will clearly have a positive effect on her sales.
Author: Dmitry Tytyuchenko
A source: Magazine 5 wheel [October 2008]
