Test Drive Subaru R1 since 2005 Hatchback

"Revolutionary" forms come by the way - Review a / m Subaru R1s

In the model range of the car R1, which is sometimes referred to as the 9 + 2, a new machine category s appeared, the main distinguishing feature of which is its Super Charger type engine. Thus, there is every reason to say that another one, which is equipped with a capacity of 64 hp in the shelf of small-calcent sports modifications And it has an additional letter S (Sport). The letter to the title is easy, but what about high-speed qualities? About this is our report.
3285!?
What do you think, what can designate this 4-digit number? By and large, anything, but in this particular case, it corresponds to the length of the car R1, measured in millimeters. As everyone, it should be known, the maximum permissible dimensions adopted for small cars are such: the length is not more than 3400 mm, the width of no more than 1480 mm and the height of no more than 2000 mm. Based on this, it is believed that the optimal option for small tramps is, when its length is somewhere around 3395 mm, and the width so that inside was not very close, - 1475 mm.
And everything would be nothing, but only that's what is curious: the car Subaru R1, because it does not just fit into the required size frame, it does not finish the abstract-optimal small agent of 110 millimeters before it! How to treat this fact. On the one hand, you can say: Well, in vain!. But you can look at the same phenomenon on the other hand and regard it as a new word in the development of small lands. Each of the appraisers will be right. However, let's see, and what, in fact, is this most car R1, for which it was done and that in it most importantly. So, we are facing the machine that was originally conceived as a means of individual movement, and its salon, again, was originally designed only for two seats. And if it is so, then, it seems to me, the principle should act the less, the better, right? And the fact that the designers managed to make this personal car even less that they managed to find a suitable layout - for this honor and praise! And the form of it is not better in accordance with the planned content. Moreover, if you now take it the current body and stretch it to the laid 3395 mm, then, perhaps, the appearance would be much worse.
In this regard, it is not necessary to think that, the most rooting body, designers, thereby sacrificed the opportunity to make the rear seat more suitable for possible passengers. No and no again! Whether this car is slightly longer, and in this case seriously say that, they say, in the rear seat, it would be possible to accommodate an adult, hardly anyone decided. No, the rear seats in this car are just the same plus 2 to the 2nd normal places. Therefore, the question can be put only in such a plane: why did these two additional seats needed these two additional seats, then they still do not stop in them? Well, why not? Let it be, so, just in case! But enough about it! In fact, I deeper in particular, and the reader after my private details will take and say: And what can you expect from this baby!?. I do not undertake to judge all the machines of the R1 model range, but for what I saw in the car, which I was given for a study race, I answer. Judge for yourself: the combination of red leather and black fabric with an increased roughness, the same on the color range of the front panel coloring, is that one is not able to please the eye of the most demanding driver? If you take and put all the possible options on the car, then its price is rapidly for 1.5 million yen, that for small ages, it seems, too. But on the other hand, is it not bad if someone produces such a small car, which, in a positive sense, does not climb into any framework!? And if we agree that such, it would seem, an inertial approach has the right to exist, then the SUBARU R1 model is, and is the most complete embodiment.
Super Charger Excellent Choice!
If we consider the entire model range of R1 from this point of view that I tried to designate above, then its most typical representative of the S category S. I appeared in November last year. I will immediately describe the technical capabilities of the engine installed on this car. So, the maximum developed capacity is 64 hp, the largest torque moment 10.5 kg / m. The number of cylinders 4, two camshafts, the motor is preparing the Supercharge forced intake system. There is no such power and such a potential from a single car from the R series (model rows R1 and R2). A stepless variator works with this motor, which would seem to unite it with all the other representatives of this car family. But even here there are nuances. The fact is that this variator has a manual switching mode, which is called Sport Shift, and allows you to change the speeds of the 7-speed scheme. As you can see, if anyone had doubts about the true nature of the modification S, the transmission speaks for itself (and for the car as a whole)! This is a car made for those who prefer a sports manner driving.
In fact, it was worth it only to be in the driver's seat, as I immediately stopped thinking, it was small this car, or great. The main thing is that my body supported by special side calipers turned out to be very convenient for driving pose. Behind the steering wheel, which was painted in the tone of the entire front panel, I saw a dashboard with a large speedometer in the middle. And on the sides of him, it was looked at me with relatively small dials of the benzomer and tachometer. A very simple simple placement scheme, even, can be said to something primitive. I take the key and turn on the ignition. For some moment, the speedometer arrow deviates to the maximum mark of 140, and then returned to zero. It looks like a ritual. Turn the key on, and forcing the engine to wake up.
Transmission control knob is quite high. I put my palm on it and move the handle to the position D. The car rows from the spot. I remember my first sensations when I tried the category R car with a simple engine from the same model range R1. No, it is impossible to say that then it took some particular effort from the motor side so that the car moves from place. But here, behind the wheel of the Category S machine at the time of the start I was covered by such a feeling as if the engine had hidden under the hood had a power reserve capable of moving from the spot. And then, starting the movement, I could not get rid of the thought that I was told in a lie and my motor is not at all for whom it is issued! Is the engine really, the working volume of which is only 660 cubic meters. See, can develop such a powerful torque at a time when the speed of the car is completely small!? On the other hand, what is surprised, because the transfer number of a stepless variator probably changed, since it was put to work in a pair with the Super Charger engine! However, one way or another, and the car easily ran through the city streets, without showing any signs of tension.
Of course, it would be wrong to assume that all the advantages of the new engine are limited only to a saturated torque at low speeds. To understand this, I was enough to press enough on the accelerator pedal, so that the tachometer arrow would overcome the 3200 rpm mark, which, as follows from the technical passport, is a peak for torque. But nothing, the car continued to increase the speed, as if nothing had happened. And the turnover, meanwhile, all grew and grew. Here the tachometer has shown 5000, then the arrow crawled on. At this stage, the engine, as it seemed to me, began to choke a little, but, nevertheless, continued to pull out all his strength until the moment when the speed of rotation of the shaft reached its critical value, that is, about 7000 rpm.
But not everything is so good! The fact is that with the increasing power, all enthusiasts and enthusiastically became noise from the operating engine. When the car accelerates and began to move at an average speed, and I kept the accelerator in a fixed position, the noise was so-so. But when I had to sharply put pressure on gas to get involved, then the motor made a sharp and unpleasant sound. And, in addition, as the speed grew, the noise from friction of tires about asphalt has become stronger and stronger. Moreover, the tires, in general, were not that completely bad size 155/60 / R15 of the Potenza RE080 brand.
But this road noise had its own positive side. The fact is that with such a short wheelbase, like the R1S car, the danger of such an undesirable phenomenon, as an excessive swinging of the machine to the side increases. Just here, the specified tires turned out to be by the way, since they did all of them dependent, so that this pitch was not so tangible. The suspension of the machine is quite rigid, and often exactly reproduces the irregularities of the road surface. At the same time, it allows the driver to firmly hold the car at a given course, and so confident that sometimes you forget that you run just a small car.
Competitors? Can Smart for Two?
If I was asked, driving what car, I experienced such feelings, I would probably named the Smart For Two model. I agree, that car is incomparably more rapid, but at the same time there is something that their relatives. Namely, both cars have an amazing attractiveness due to their unusual sizes, appearance, excellent handling and wonderful engines with which they are equipped.
  
Of course, compared to the SMART car, the R1S model has more chances to become in demand. At the same time, I must state with regret that the strongest shocks, which I personally received from the acquaintance with the Smart model, did not have to test for the car R1S. Therefore, let them work on this project yet! I do not know, maybe you need to make a convertible on its base, can release an even more sports version. But it will be a pity if this direction in the R1 model row, barely let yourself know, and it will be limited. And it is not necessary that they are externally similar to the basic model R1, not at all necessary!
Specifications of the SUBARU R1S model:
Length 3285 mm x width 1475 mm x Height 1510 mm.
Wheel base: 2195 mm.
Machine weight: 840 kg.
Drive: on the front wheels
Engine: Working volume 660 cubic meters. See, 4-cylinder with inline cylinder arrangements and two camshafts, equipped with a Super Charger type forced intake system with an intermediate inlet air cooler, developing power 64 hp at 6000 rpm, the greatest torque is 10.5 kg / m at 3200 rpm.
Basic car price: 1 million 428 thousand yen.
The price of the car on which the test trip was performed: 1 million 533 thousand yen.
The difference in price is due to the presence of the following options in the machine.
- two-dimensional HID headlights operating in both far and near light + special selection of finishing fabrics for interior design and seats 105 thousand yen.
 
 

A source: WebCG.net