Test Drive Skoda Citigo 5 doors since 2012 hatchback
The smallest Skoda
Actually, this car Vadim Gagarin has already experienced Rome on the roads then, however, he was called Volkswagen Up!. But now, when I sit at the wheel of a new Skoda Citigo, and in the five-door version, I treat this model completely differently. If in Italy, Russian journalists looked at the Up! As the next toy of the damned capitalists, now the situation is different that Skoda Citigo, in contrast to the same UP!, with a 99% probability will be shipped to Russia! It is Citigo that will become the most affordable Skoda model, and it will be sold with a machine gun.
About the machine says not just like that. At the moment, the big problem of Skoda Fabia, which is noticeably larger than Citigo, is the presence of an automatic transmission only on the most expensive version with a 1.6 liter engine. Which costs 549,000 rubles.! And this, on a second, for the car without air conditioning and many other joys of life. And what should you do in this case with an honest young girl? That is why the Russian representative office of Skoda is so waiting for the appearance of automatic Citigo, which will cost, approximately less than 500 thousand.
Skoda Citigo became the first model of the company that received a new emblem. Outwardly, it is true, not too different from the old
Although it is immediately necessary to say that the word automatic in relation to Skoda Citigo can be used with some amendment. After all, this car will receive an uncomfortable hydrotransformer automatic transmission, but a completely new robotic box. This is not about the transmission with two DSG clutches, but about a cheap robot with one clutch, which is created on the basis of standard mechanics. But how does this box work, will the car be twitching when switching and, most importantly, will the gearbox be reliable? There are no answers to these questions yet. There is no transmission production with the SQ100 index will start only in the summer.
Skoda's plans for the conquest of the world are very large. If last year the Czechs managed to sell almost 880 thousand cars, after six years they want to reach 1.5 million cars. Citigo should play a big role in the implementation of these ideas. Although one Citigo one and a half million will not do. That is why in September at the Motor Show in Paris, they will present a new available Skoda, which will take place between Fabia and Octavia (presumably, it will be called Rapid), and in 2013 a new generation of Octavia will appear. Although so far this secret information do not speak to anyone about it
We for the test provided cars not only in three-door, but also in a five-door body. But do not think that the five-door Citigo is spacious first impression in this case deceptively. And the one, the other model in length, the size of the wheelbase and the disappearance in the cabin is absolutely identical. By the way, about the square. Usually it is a word in relation to class bugs and you are afraid to use. But it turned out that Citigo is not so mini, as it may seem. I agree, on the rear seats do not throw the leg on the leg, and the volume of the trunk is only 251 liters. But in this case the Devil lies in comparison. It turns out that the trunk here ... the largest in the segment! For comparison, Citroen C1 its volume is 130 liters, in Chevrolet Spark 170 L, and Kia Picanto 200 l. If folded the rear seats, then the compartment of Citigo will increase to 959 liters! And this is also a record.
In the Czech Republic, the price difference between the three- and five-door version of Citigo is 10,000 kroons or, in terms of 15,000 rubles. It is assumed that in Eastern Europe (and, apparently, in Russia) to a five-door modification will have to 75% of sales. In Western Europe, preferences will be divided equally
In the basic configuration, the disks are 14-inch. But if desired, you can order 15 and even 16-inch (!) Wheels. In addition, the list of options will appear decorative panels and colored stickers that will help make the car unusual. And the buyer of Skoda Citigo will be able to order a large sliding hatch or mechanical locking of the lever of the PPC. Does the Czech be afraid that Citigo will begin to invite?
And the Skoda Citigo turned out to be ... spacious. Of course, for your size. At least two adults in the front chairs do not support each other shoulders and are not afraid to breathe synchronously. What is there to say Skoda in general is the widest car in the segment! Although we will not extol Citigo. Use the trunk for the carriage of large things here is inconvenient when folding the second row of the chair is formed a large stage. In Volkswagen, this problem is solved just up! It has a double floor of the trunk, and when folding the chairs it turns out a flat site. But Skoda Citigo is a more budget model compared to UP!, And such bellows, it turns out not to be.
There are other questions for equipping the car, and we are now talking about Citigo in the maximum (!) Configuration (basic versions are completely empty: armchair, steering wheel and pedals). For example, the upper part of the doors here does not have any trim just naked metal. In many ways, it is why they are closed with such a cheap sound. Or electric windows on the driver side it is only one! That is, sitting behind the wheel can not personally close the glass from the passenger side, for this he will have to reach through the entire salon. And on the second row of the chairs there are no glass windows. There are only revealing glasses that are fixed on the latch. And here are other examples of total savings: the head restraint cannot be customized, because it is integrated into the back of the chair itself, the steering wheel is adjusted only in one direction (in the 21st century it is generally a bad tone), the driver's seat does not shine a large number of adjustments, and the angle of inclination of the back Measured stepwise.
But, reading these lines, you need to constantly remember, we are talking about the class A car, which by definition should be simple and, most importantly, cheap. Although the simplicity of such kids can already argue the same Kia Picanto is equipped with climate control, heated steering wheel and the like of excesses. Yes, and Skoda Citigo has a lot of frills: panoramic roof, parking sensors, navigator. A strange combination with the doors without trim and one window lift, is not it?
In the cabin there are many things that need to evaluate advanced girls. For example, on the glove compartment there is a special hook for women's handbags, and there is still a convenient stand for storing the iPhone or other similar to the size of the phone. Do you think it doesn't matter? As it has a problem where to put the phone torments many owners of small machines
Navigator, by the way, is unusual. Instead of a large and beautiful screen in the center of Torpedo for Skoda Citigo, a portable gadget is offered, which is installed in front of the windshield. At first glance, such a system is no different from the navigator electronics sold. Is it worth it expensive (it is necessary to navigate for 12-15 thousand rubles). But it turns out that this system is deeply integrated into the car on the Skodovsky navigator withdraws to testimony of parking sensors, a music system, onboard computer and much more. In addition, the navigator can be removed and used with hiking along the unfamiliar city (the batteries are enough for about two hours). Is it worth overpaying for it? Everyone decides himself.
The situation with the engine here is the same as the Volkswagen Up!. It is only one three-cylinder 1.0 l, 60 or 75 hp Someone may seem that 60 horses for the modern car are not enough. But it is not. In the metropolis, even such a herd for Citigo is enough! Due to the small mass, the 60-strong version of Citigo can break from the place and humiliate other participants in the speed at speeds up to 60-80 km / h. True, it is necessary to make one amendment. We are talking about the car with a manual gearbox. Versions with a robot, probably, will be more phlegmatic.
While Skoda Citigo will be offered only with a 1 liter gasoline engine. But soon in Europe, the sale of the version that works on natural gas (68 hp) should begin (68 hp)
But what motor prefer? Many of my colleagues assure that there are practically no difference between them, besides, the motor torque at the same (95 N ∙ M, which can be obtained in the range of 3000-4300 rpm). But still 15 horses for such bass are never superfluous ... Yes, with a calm ride in the city, you do not feel the difference between two engines. And yet it seemed to me that behind the wheel of the 75-strong Citigo you feel like a little calmer. Psychological effect? Quite possible. But here you first left the traffic light, it climbed into the hill without any problems, and on the track confidently accelerated from 60 km / h and overtook a truck. It seems that everything else can be done in a less powerful Citigo. But the motor will have to work more, and not the fact that his horses are enough in the desired situation. In general, I vote for 75 hp, even despite the fact that such cars will be more expensive (about 15 thousand rubles, at least in the Czech Republic, the difference between different motors is 10,000 kroons).
Skoda Citigo, as well as Volkswagen Up! And Seat MII, received five stars on Euroncap crash tests. For such kids, it is just a great figure. Moreover, in addition to four pillows, Citigo has some more adult security systems, which no competitor offers in Russia. For example, ESP or City Safe Drive. The latter can automatically slow down from 5 to 30 km / h if the driver distracted and did not notice the danger. According to Skodovtsy, at a speed of up to 20 km / h, electronics retains a car in immunity. And if the car rode a little faster, then the severity of the accident will be minimized
How are things with comfort? And here we were waiting for a big surprise in the Citigo salon quietly! The three-cylinder motor is almost not heard. And not only when working at idle, but also in the middle turn zone! Vibration from three cylinders? It is minimal and does not annoying. But the smoothness of the stroke can be estimated in different ways. If you are accustomed to ride big sedans, Citigo will seem like a stool. But when compared with other machines, a class picture is already different. You already understand that Citigo has a completely comfortable suspension, which copes with most holes, especially if you drop speed before them. And all this is combined with good handling of this Citigo indicator is not inferior to the same Fabia. Or maybe even surpasses it.
Volkswagen Up! It is in Germany from 9850 euros. Similar Skoda will cost 400 euros cheaper than 9450 euros. That is, the basic Skoda will cost in Germany as much as Citroen C1. True, the simplest Kia Picanto is estimated at 8 990 euros, and 9,140 euros are asked for Chevrolet Spack. How much will Citigo cost in Russia? There is no answer to this question yet. But we can assume that the version with a 60-strong engine, mechanics, air conditioning, music and ABS will cost approximately 430-450 thousand rubles. At the same time, we note that a more spacious Skoda Fabia, which is collected in Russia, with air conditioning and an engine with a volume of 1.2 liters (70 hp) you can buy cheaper than 440 thousand
And what will be the conclusion? Despite the shortcomings and simplicity in the design of the cabin, Skoda Citigo turned out to be a pretty good car. And very compatible. However, to answer the question, I would buy such a car with my wife or mistress, I will only be after the announcement of Russian prices. And they are not yet. Neither prices, no mistress.
Denis Smolyanov
Stock Foto Author and Skoda
A source: AUTO.Mail.Ru.
