Subaru Vivio Test drive 5 doors 1992 - 2000 hatchback

The smallest "Subaru"

Subaru-Vivio Subaru Vivio
In 1992, Rex (Mini -Jambo) - the smallest model of Subaru - came Vivio. The machine is produced with the bodies of a three- and five-door hatchback, as well as Top-Top coupe. A gasoline engine with a working volume of 0.7 liters - in the atmospheric version and with a boost. It is equipped with a five -speed manual gearbox or a waterproof variator. The drive is front or complete.
Micro -broken cars usually cause a condescending smile in us. At first, Vivio is also perceived as a meek and non -sounding creature, but only until you sit for his steering wheel ... On our test, Subaru Vivio Gli, worth $ 7,800.
APPEARANCE
Rounded, but not at all like a wash, Vivio looks quite modern. In size, it is close to the domestic oka - ten centimeters longer and a couple already and lower. And the wheels are the same - twelve -inch. But bumpers painted in the color of the body, plastic caps on wheels, covered with a hatch (with remote unlocking) the neck of the gas tank and other little things make the Japanese more elegant.
DESIGN
A miniature four -cylinder (!) Motor develops a fairly high liter capacity - 67 hp/L (this indicator has this indicator - nearly a hundred). Of the other features of Vivio - McEferson's racks in the rear suspension, which easily allow the bridge to be presented, and the absence of reptile stability stabilizers. Between the gearbox and the hinge of the suspension of its lever is reactive thrust. The power steering here may not be needed here, but the ABS would be useful. Moreover, not too sophisticated drivers are quite often at the wheel of cars of this class.
In the spacious tunnel of Paul, the exhaust system (by the way, completely closed by the casing in the front) looks lonely - the cardan directly asks here. The motor compartment from below is covered with a non -whaled metal plate from the dirt, and narrow plastic shelves in the front wheeled niches.
INTERIOR
Pleasant light gray tones Salon Vivio looks very pretty. However, its width at the shoulder level is only 118 cm, so two medium -complex men, and even in winter clothes, will sit in a dispersal.
There is no special folding of the front seats for planting back - they simply use two standard adjustments to push the chair forward and tilt the back. After that, you will have to adjust it again. Behind - expectedly closely, but not because the knees rest on the back of the front seat. The inconvenience is different - two centimeters from the back of the head is the back of the roof, so you have to keep your head a little bowed forward. There is no question of accommodating here the three of us - there is a four -seater car. But it is difficult to get out without outside help: after all, someone must push the front seats.
Driving place
Let's try to get a job. The seat is convenient, lateral support is better expressed in the back. The steering wheel of such a compact car could have been a little less - there is nowhere to put the elbows. The pedals are widely located, the gearbox lever is quite long, its moves are small, switching is clear.
On the instrument panel, under a semicircular visor - only the most necessary. In an effort to make the car easier, the designers have overdid it in some ways. For example, there is no fuel reserve lamp. External lighting, such as, for example, on a fiat -mark, is connected through the ignition lock - when the latter is turned off, not only headlights, but also overall light go out.
In the middle of the front panel - heating and ventilation control and a plug on the compartment for the radio. The cigarette lighter located under the panel is stuck in place, without looking, it will not be possible, you will have to be distracted from control. So it is better to entrust this to the neighbor on the right or postpone to the next traffic light. A review from the car is not bad, even the edge of a short hood is visible.
ON THE RUN
With snorting, the motor wound up from the half -turn. By the way, on the thermometer - minus 28C. It seems that in the winter there will be no problems with the owners. A few minutes to warm up - and touch the road.
The very first impression is that the programs are extremely short. On the first, the machine simply jumps forward, but the engine ringing on a high note immediately asks the second, then, without delay, a third and so on. And although the speed is small, the sensations are almost racing. This is explained by the transfer number of the main pair - 4.88 - much more! The transmission introduces its share in sound accompaniment - only straight -toothed fist boxes of racing cars emit such muffled howl. With a calm ride without passengers, in principle, you can start with the second, and in the entire range from 25 (!) To 70 km/h, having vanished to the noise of the motor, you completely cost the fourth. Generally speaking, the fourth gear is more similar to the usual third, and at speed above 80 km/h - the fifth is already small, I would like to turn on the sixth. The motor working at high speeds makes you look for a tachometer with your eyes. But he is not, although there is a place for him.
A hard suspension noticeably shocks on irregularities, and small wheels make you be more attentive on the knocked out asphalt. In the turns of Vivio, he is almost not heated, and his steering is not too sharp.
Operation, service
Vivio is a purely city car, and refill it with unhealthy 95th gasoline, apparently, will not be a problem. A full -size spare wheel for such cars is also the norm. (It is hard to imagine what a do -item would look like a regular twelve -inch wheels.) It is located in a spacious niche under the trunk floor along with the instrument.
Only official dealers give an annual warranty without mileage restriction. However, the car purchased from a gray dealer can also be served at the proprietary station. But already for cash, at the rate of $ 50 per norm. The service is provided after 1000 km, 10,000 km and then every 10,000 km of run. The cost of the first is $ 111. Special adaptation to Russian conditions is not provided.
The editors thanks the central
for a test car.
+ Good dynamics, a sufficiently powerful motor, a pleasant interior, a transformable trunk.
- noisy transmission with non -optimal gear ratio, hard suspension, lack of a tachometer, low ceiling in the rear.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
General data: number of places - 4; Equipped mass - 650 kg; full weight - 1110 kg; maximum speed - 138 km/h; acceleration time from a place to 100 km/h - 16 s; fuel consumption in conditional suburban and city cycles - 5.2; 8 l/100 km; fuel supply - 32 l; Fuel is unhealthy gasoline AI -95. Dimensions, mm: length - 3300; width - 1400; height - 1380; base - 2310; The track in front/back - 1220/1200; Road clearance - 150; trunk volume - 105/835 l; The radius of rotation is 4.9 m. The engine: with distributed injection, four -cylinder in a row, located in front transversely; working volume - 658 cm; cylinder diameter and piston stroke - 56x66.8; compression degree - 10; Power - 32 kW/44 l. With. at 6400 rpm; The maximum torque is 53 N.M at 3600 rpm. Transmission: front wheel drive; gearbox - five -speed mechanical; Transporting numbers: I - 4.08; II - 2.44; III - 1.56; IV - 1.10; V - 0.86; h. X. - 3.83; The main program is 4.88. Suspension: independent, such as McEferson, collected on subframes; In front - on single transverse levers, from behind - on three rocket rods. Brakes: hydraulic with a vacuum amplifier; Front - disk, rear - drum. Steering: rheck. Tire size: 145/70R12.
SUMMARY
Subaru Vivio Sotkan from contradictions. Let him not deceive you a meek appearance - the thrill of the driver is guaranteed.
 
Yuri Nechetov.
Photo by Vladimir Knyazev
   
  

Source: The magazine "Driving"