Toyota Alphard test drive since 2008 Minivan
Toyota Alphard. The light of a distant star
This car appeared on the market at the same time, but it is necessary for the clocks of the oncrasses. What is the reason? We are trying to figure it out by taking Toyota Alphad on a test drive. Toyota Alphard. Price: 2 485 000 p. On sale: since 2011
Oleg Kalaushin, a journalist, 42 years old, a driver’s experience 23 years, travels to Renault Logan.
Yes, in general, Alphard’s handsome man cannot be called. However, this mini-ven does not cause obvious disgust. There is something in him that makes him feel respect. Most likely, the root cause of this was the design of the front of the car. Only the designer was inspired by the locomotive, drawing a huge grille of the radiator, a bumper-board, headlights the size of a spotlight. Everything here is somehow deliberately huge, if not giant. However, if you recall that the car owes its name to the orange giant in the constellation Hydra, then everything immediately falls into place.
But if a car in the FAS, one might say, turned out, then the profile clearly failed. The solidity from someone's heavy hand suddenly turned into sadness. Moreover, the silhouette is not able to alleviately a littered central stand, nor a rather deep stamping between the axes, or even expanded wheeled arches.
Alphard’s feed is completely assigned from the station wagon. Lanter-long lanterns, as a rule, are not peculiar to mini-wenes. In general, outwardly, this business jet is wrinkled quite controversial, and this clearly does not add this popularity. But not all the gold that shines. So, we continue the search for truth already in the cabin.
The Japanese position their mini-ven as a car for long crossings at the highest level of comfort. At the same time, during the way you can do it and relax. But on one condition: you will not be driving. We are not from the steering wheel of our acquaintance with the car and continue.
Car food looks very elegant
The servus was furious, and the second row door crawled back, providing a convenient passage to the salon. The middle row here is clearly for the bosses. Two luxurious leather chairs with an electric drive for legs and huge high-door head restraints can become a good argument in order not to study the car anymore, but simply plopped into these chairs and indulge in sweet bliss. But work is work. However, not sitting in these seats, you will not notice that in the ceiling there is a control unit of the climate system of the second row, as well as a ceiling DVD player with a folding monitor. In addition, the ceiling is equipped with a hidden LED backlight, which in the dark creates an indescribable atmosphere of calm and comfort in the cabin. But that's not all. All for the same convenience of the august person in the backs of the front seats there are leaning stops for the legs. True, this device can be fully used only on condition that the front seats are moved forward as much as possible, and the middle row is pushed back to the maximum. You can fully fulfill these conditions only sitting on the right, because the driver is more expensive to plant in an uncomfortable position, but the front passenger can be suppressed. Moreover, in order to do this without him or with his knowledge, there are appropriate keys on the end of the front back. He pressed and now the front seat leaves forward, releasing the place for the legs.
The second row seats are the most comfortable
However, carried away by the average side, we completely forgot about the third. But first you need to tell how to get on it. You can do this in two ways. The first, perhaps, is the longest: wait until the servo drive one of the middle row seats, and then squeeze into a not very large gap between the back of the seat and the counter. The second is much easier. It is enough to lower the table that leans back between the seats of the second row, and just go back. Of course, the seats are not the same as in the second row, however, you need to pay tribute, sitting on them is very convenient, in any case, for two places here is enough both in width and in length. Even with the seats of the second row, there are plenty of place with completely moved back. Despite the fact that by definition there are two places, if desired, you can attach the third, especially since the installed headrest and the third belt with the mounting point on the ceiling are provided for it.
The front passenger can relax on the long journey on a very comfortable seat
Well, what about the load? Alas, with fully occupied seats of space, there is practically no space for him. The maximum that can fit is a pair of sports bags, no more. If necessary, the trunk, of course, can be increased by folding the rear seats and stitching them to the walls with special belts, but in this case, the seats hanging along the walls of rather impressive dimensions will not allow the use of the body to the maximum. And it’s a pity, because if they were light -removable, the functionality of the car would have increased.
Having dealt with passengers and baggage, we go to the driver's place. Well, with comfort and it is not deprived, in any case, adjusting the seat allow you to take a rather convenient position. The steering wheel, by the way, is also regulated, but it has one significant drawback. Drill inserts very complicate the life of those who have problems with vegetation, in other words, sweat their hands. In this case, the steering wheel becomes very slippery, and this does not add security. However, the solution to the problem may be a visit to the doctor or just using driver's gloves. Someone will say that you will look comical while driving a mini-wan in driver's gloves. Maybe. But if you recall that this Alphard accelerates to hundreds in eight with a little seconds, which is much faster than many sedans, then as they say, sarcasm is not appropriate here. And I liked the fact that the driver in no way feels the mass of the car. All the car, whether it is accelerated or inhibition, is very easy.
Licking glass of sliding doors is a rarity for cars of this class
In addition to the fact that the machine has a good dynamics, it is very well steaming. A very adequate electric power allows you not to strain both with maneuvers in office parking and when moving along the highway at decent speed. However, under maneuvers in constrained conditions, the rear view camera would be very useful, but the car comes to Russia in just one configuration, and the camera in it is not provided. It remains to rely on parking sensors.
If you move the seats to the maximum, then you can use a footboard leaning back from the back of the front seats
Being created for a comfortable movement, Alphard still does not really like our roads. On the highway, if it is in perfect condition, it is a pleasure to go, but as soon as the broken areas are under the wheels, you immediately think that handling could sacrifice comfort. The suspension works out the pits rather hard.
In general, Alpphard was terrible and kind inside the face, and the price for it in comparison with competitors is quite adequate, so what's the matter? Most likely, just that the machine enters our market in only one and not the cheapest configuration, depriving the consumer of the possibility of choosing. And therefore, this star in our market will not shine brightly.
Our verdict
With competitors similar to the possibilities in Toyota Alphald, only one opportunity to purchase a car either in a more modest one or even more expensive configuration is absent, and therefore the prospects of this machine in our market are unclear. However, with all this, the car deserves to be paid attention to when choosing.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
+
The great dimensions of the Porsche Boxster provide the transition of the model to the highest league of sports cars.
-
A soft folding roof is not very practical in Russian operating conditions.
Driving
The new Boxster has almost perfect handling. This model is for a real gourmet.
Salon
The interior of Boxster is simple and aristocratic.
Comfort
In terms of convenience, sports Boxster differs little from ordinary city models.
Safety
Porsche Boxster meets all modern safety standards.
Price
The sports version of Boxster costs almost three million. Is it a lot or not enough?
We do not love
Carefully
If you move the seats to the maximum, then you can use a footboard leaning back from the back of the front seats.
Cool
With such headrests on these seats, even Cheburashka will be convenient. But seriously, then this function is very useful if you want to Pokeman.
Solid
A multi -level instrument shield looks solid and even brutal. However, this does not interfere with reading information from him. All dials are quite large.
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions 4875x1585x1905mm
Base 2950 mm
Equipped mass 2105 kg
Full weight 2570 kg
Clearance 168 mm
Trunk volume 1900 l
Fuel tank volume 65 liters
Gasoline engine, 6-cylinder.
3456cm3, 275/4700l.S./min--1, 360/4200 Nm/min---1
Automatic transmission, 6-speed
front drive
Dynamics 200 km/h; 8.3cdo100km/h
Fuel consumption 10.9 liters per 100 km
Competitors Mercedes-Benz Viano, Volkswagen Multivan
Source: Magazine 5 wheel [June 2012]