The roar of rocket

"The Japanese crossed the line between fictional mechanisms that they represent in their fiction cartoons, and reality" - I thought, first saw the new Civic-hatchback. It is difficult to recall at least one model that stood out as a stream of cars. The impression that the concept car was sent into production, and he has traveled the streets of Moscow. Still haunt the Japanese brothers thought of galaxies, robots, parsecs, blaster yes Cheburashka. They feel themselves closer to the space of all the future of the planet and are willing to literally tomorrow to host a visiting furry alien. In the dreams of the eyes in a half-face and teenage girls dressed as cabin boy on each corner of defending the validity of the Japanese and did not see how to create a space fighter combat alien beings Alpha, which will of fate forced to live in a Comedy Series 80-ies and pretend that he tries to eat cat on the planet. View from storonyPo apparently not only me, this machine has caused such associations. Fellow journalists who are fortunate enough to ride before I did this "space launch" probably immediately forgot about the fact that there are laws of physics (gravity, friction, air resistance), causing the machine to perform a fantastic movement. I must say that the car is really capable of many things, but only within the framework of reality. As a result, the tested car whenever needed in the banal earthly as preventive and fairly serious repairs. What you could not guess when it's my turn to test pushed back with alarming regularity.

Legend of the full drive

Hokkaido - an amazing place. The northernmost island of Japan, the landscape and climate is very similar to our Far East. Wooded hills, birch and aspen, but ... "even like Russia, but Russia is not yet." In Kamchatka, no grapes, no build copies of Nurburgring Nordschleife and did not have them on Honda cars with the most advanced all-wheel drive on the planet Earth. And in Hokkaido has it all! I woke up from the violent shaking and a loud squeak: a room on the 19th floor of a 30-storey hotel in Tokyo went to shake like disorderly old wardrobe. "Well, all Directions", - thought has flashed. Now no escape, no escape ... shaken, it seemed like an eternity. When the tremors stopped, I went to the window and parted the curtains. Glass skyscraper in a capital P in front was as if nothing had happened. Continued on his way at the bottom of automatic monorail. Cars continue to flow into the tunnel under the bay, and in the air gained height off from Haneda domestic airport passenger samolet.Yaponiya almost did not notice the earthquake of 5.1 magnitude on the 10-point scale JMA! Amazing all the same people the Japanese. Fearlessly build skyscrapers on the islands, which shakes about 2,000 times a year ... The next morning I flew from Haneda to Hokkaido. A huge airport (as opposed to international Narita, it is considered "internal"), hour and a half flight on a Boeing Airlines JAL - and landing in Asahikawa, one of the major cities of the northern island.

On all occasions a success of life

Explain your soulmate, why most "Honda" is so attractive to the male body, it will be difficult. In the end it will have to trust your word for it: the new "Legend" - is far more expressive than just appearance, stylish and sporty image zhizneuproschayuschaya-box "machine". For Men Only! Concentration of high technology on one car in the "Legend" just reaches the critical mass, when a little more - and the machine will turn into a robot. And instead of driving itself and carry the owner, starts to dance, waving his hands and wander up the stairs. Along this route, went to another "Honda" - white plastic android by the name "Asimov". The latter, being shown at the Moscow motor show, created a sensation - to me, then sure. Future, it turns out, is not an abstract concept, no. Here it is, please: this is the future explicitly vytantsovyvaet under my nose - among other things, "Honda"! We have to think, not much inferior to him in intellect. I do not want to say anything bad about the fair sex, but sure: most of its representatives simply do not want to delve into all the technical wisdom, with which Japanese engineers have provided an abundance of "Legend." They will be quite enough of those qualities, which are listed in the first paragraph. But all this exists in other "Honda", more stylish and practical. And what is this unique? There are typically full of all sorts promuzhskih features, which can on occasion to boast before other silnopolymi.

Music R

Honda Civic Type-R - not just a powerful three-door car, it's a favorite song of many fans of "charged" cars and even a philosophy. Recently, the song has grown another verse Honda Models with the letter R in the title are 15-year history. Someone suggested denote sport versions of the machines has the letter that you had previously used the motorcycle division Honda, and the first model, which received "hot» R, it became convertible in 1992 NSX-R. Charged version of Accord, Civic, Integra began to appear regularly, and tied the letter to the word «Type». The Civic in a "hot" range Honda - perhaps the most massive and populyarnye.Novoe generation Civic will soon also will get charged a modification. I must say that the original hatchback and without a good, well, a Type-R at all would be space. Fans eagerly waiting for, finally, they show the appearance of a new hot Civic. Much less interested in their technical part, there are not surprises expected. They are not - under the hood of the car settled down 200 hp 4-cylinder 2-liter, equipped with variable valve timing system, i-VTEC. Philosophy Type-R observed: all the forces - the "honest", atmosfernye.A's appearance ... Here is something to talk about. In a colorful, even a simple traffic flow Civic attracts attention, much like a poisonous yellow machine is guaranteed to not go unnoticed. In contrast to the "civilian" version with its transparent hood between the headlights, Type-R here has a fancy profile fine-mesh grille falshradiatornoy black.

Extraterrestrial civilization

In one of the performances of the Moscow Theatre "School of Modern Drama" is the scene: actor portrays an alien landed on Earth. Things, it is usual for us, make it shocking, and he excitedly reports everything he sees, "the base". I bet if this stranger had landed not in some abstract place, but inside the new Honda Civic, it would not immediately realized that he was on another planet. Alien here I feel. And me, honestly, I do. Once I was inside, her face stretched spontaneous smile, and fell from his lips the cry of admiration that I on my own was not expecting. Rarely have met the machine (especially in golf-class), which can immediately cause such strong emotions. And despite the fact that the interior of the Civic surprise for me was not - I have often seen him in photographs and even managed to remember how there are all these space instruments and controls in two areas of ergonomics, encircling the driver's seat. We have become accustomed, even in inexpensive cars Mass designers have learned to individuality, but image-makers Honda, it seems, all furnished. You sit down at the Civic and immediately feel like a hero of some stellar odyssey. Even if you do the first time in space ... I - the first time. And here catches my attention. The first wheel. It is hard to believe that this small, slightly flattened vertically shturvalchik with unusually convex center plate and a plastic mesh at the needles can be functional. But thanks to the good thickness of the rim, the optimal diameter and tides in places grip it very easy to handle.

Healthy imbalance

To understand how the same all around, you encounter something out of the ordinary. With something so that brings some confusion about what is happening in, breaks the usual stereotypes and allows you to look at the world from a different angle. Realizing the existence of some anomalous singularity should be a little (more) marvel (terrified) - and then tightly grasp that all of the same is exactly the right thing. And on this calm. For example, consider the platypus. No, no, do not be afraid of it - after the recognition of its unique originality, we immediately release him miserable creature free. Ouch! Pecked, an infection! Pshol away! No, have you seen this? What a strange creature - whether animal, or bird. And how will the eggs to postpone ... In general, it is not clear what. And yet they say that aliens do not exist! Yeah - is mysterious and diverse animal life ... and not only animal, incidentally. And in the automotive world their lack of platypus. For example, Honda Stream - also a rare non-standard event. Not platypus, of course, but at least - koala. Is that - touring? Then wonder why he has such a short and sloping hood. Or maybe it kompaktven? Not that either: kompaktven must be at least high. However, there is still a term such as OLA - touring with increased capacity. It is already closer to the truth, but not the nail. Would be correct to say that the Honda Stream - a Honda Stream. That is out of the common avtomobil.Bezuslovno, notably the Japanese show off.

The world's best-handling

Sports Car Honda NSX, sold in the United States under the brand Acura NSX, a Japan under the name Honda Verno, causing the flow of accolades from professionals and consumers. They call it the best car in the world by handling, which strikingly combines high specifications and stylistic sophistication. This car has every right to call the constructor and driver's dream. Honda Acura NSX supercar, can allow the driver of average skill to feel like a superstar motorsport. In addition, the creation of a model Acura NSX was the self-expression of Honda, as the new flagship of the embodied innovative solutions both in concept and in technology. The car is equipped with a powerful Acura NSX V-engines with obraznymi four valves per cylinder and an aluminum body that is still only a very typical "thoroughbred" cars. The day produced only 25 copies of the "Acura". The car is a type arrangement Double Suround, which provides both rider and passenger plenty of space. Creation of interior designers contributed to Honda's familiar with the visibility and ergonomic cockpit of the American jet fighter, the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Excellent visibility for the driver in the Acura NSX model provides an unusually large for a sports car plenty of bent glass. About design model Acura NSX, founded 11 years ago, still can not say anything bad - aerodynamically clean shape of the body smoothly and gracefully flow from front bumper to the rear spoiler. To maintain stability at high speeds is the system RTU, and a head wind and the variable road conditions, for the same purpose is self-locking limited slip differential.

I give the installation

When the queue stretched for a year or longer, so even the most nimble vendors strive to get the buyer a 100 percent prepayment involuntarily start to think what a miracle is - hatchback "Civic." Banderlogi, approach: If a black, blazing light of the car, I turned to the boy, first came to the "Children's World." Here it is, cherished toy! Angry, impetuous, trim ... One optics is worth something! Call it simply the headlights a futuristic combination of lenses and mirrors that stretch across the front, the language does not turn. A few seconds you catch yourself thinking that this militant samurai drill you squint, as if the scanner. There is no mass in the class just as expressive vehicles. Against this backdrop the stunning bright and attractive sedan soon turns into just a solid, everyday car. With a completely normal look, normal body, a common trunk. But who would have guessed that my new acquaintance, "Civic" can manipulate the consciousness of not less skillfully than messing up, or Kashpirovsky Chumak. To verify this, we first need to get behind the wheel. In the control center poletomYa almost jumped with anticipation: what's inside? Monitors, buttons, control panels! Fantastic! So, open the door ... Just how to revive the engine? Key - for some reason, simple, with an iron tip, and not some cunning contraption - I'm in the larva of the steering column is inserted. Once lit up the scale. Turned the key - the arrows and target icons come to life.

The Second Coming

The great saxophonist Ornette Coleman once said: "Jazz - it's the only kind of music, in which the same note can be played night after night, and every time it sounds different." The founder of a free-jazz certainly would have appreciated the new supermini Honda Jazz, the creators of which differ by not less liberated thinking model Honda Jazz appeared in Europe in 1984. It was a three-door hatchback mikrolitrazhny which the body does not have a single curve - was dominated by "the corner" motifs. Let him company Isuzu. Designed exclusively for the Japanese market, short and tall avtomobilchik Europeans do not like strongly, and a couple of years removed from the market. But in Japan, cars in this class continued to grow in popularity. In 1996 he made his debut there microcars Honda Logo, which replaced five years later came the model of "epileptic" name Honda Fit. It was an amazing success: the title of "Japanese Car of the Year", first in terms of sales - even best-selling Toyota Corolla had to make room. And early in the year supermini Honda Fit named Honda Jazz came back to Europe. At this time, and in Rossiyu.Nyneshny Jazz in no way resembles the "micro"-mainstream eighties. The five-door monocab on the back - a single straight line, much larger than its predecessor. Only the inscription "jazz" on the fifth door is still spelled with a lowercase letter, over which there is a red dot - as if descended from Japanese flaga.Skvoz polycarbonate fairing headlight reflectors are clearly visible around the main light.

Doodle

Best of fighting cocks were grown in Tanagra and Alexandria - with knowledge of ancient history, say experts on gambling fun. But when it was - even before our era? So listen to us. Breeding the most daring and pugnacious chick doing now avtodely - Company "Honda" and "Ford". IMPORTANT - UChASTIEVot to arrange a survey among drivers: who considers himself a racer? I believe that one in ten choose answer: "I - Fernando Alonso." Every hundredth - "I'm better." A one in a thousand more to celebrate daw subparagraph: "I am ready to prove." How? This is the second question. And the answer is clear: no way. Large motor racing - too expensive. The isolation of the "Formula" and gives us a driver, the opportunity to represent themselves champions. And you prove first that, as a driver, at least no worse than a neighbor to park, work colleagues or opponents on the blog. Much capacity to do so fairly. Choose a motorsport you prefer: small (karting), street, or a virtual home? No, you heard right. Domestic motorsport in general, you can do every day and get on their little road wins a treat. Here are the most attractive shells for such activities - Ford Focus ST and the Honda Civic Type R. As the functionality of conventional, they are no different. They will tirelessly and with reasonable comfort, without burning too much gasoline to transport you, your family and all that you zatrambuete in their luggage. But each of these cars is endowed with a solid drive charge.

People's Car from Honda

New car that has won acclaim around the world, has won various competitions and nominations - not an easy task. That decision led the ambitious call, and Honda throughout the history of the company. The first avtoprobami company Honda, which from the first years of activity participated in sports competitions, were sports series rodstery S. They have demonstrated the enormous potential of the company and have won recognition not only domestically but also in Europe and the USA. But the first global success of Honda clearly has become a model Civic.Honda confidently secured a place among the world's leading automobile manufacturers in July 1972, when the first Civic - a hatchback with front-wheel drive and a transverse 1.2-liter engine. He laid the foundation for the creation of other models of the company in the 70s. The first Civic had a capacity of 54 horsepower, but soon in Japan and the United States began to be used in a car with a new engine unique to the system while CVCC, which appeared in response to the enactment of legislation to reduce exhaust emissions. This engine had a capacity of 60 hp with the volume of 1169 cm3. In Europe, used an earlier engine with 72 horsepower, followed by, a model with a volume of 1488 cm3, presented in 1973 godu.Honda not being modest company, had hoped that Civic will greatly affect the American and European markets, and Soichiro Honda, the founder and president of the company even wanted to use the car air-cooled engine, as in popular models of that time.

Changing the format

The new model, especially if it is a follower of the very popular and mass car, which sold millions of copies around the world, there must always be better than its predecessor. Motorists wishing to change a vehicle in the first place certainly pay attention to the successor of his car, of course, if he liked them, and only then - on the other models, classmates. It turns out that to maintain the popularity of the manufacturer need only improve the model, but sometimes it is extremely difficult to achieve. As experts say, given the current development of technology, all possibilities for the evolution of internal combustion engines, improved aerodynamics and ergonomic interior space is almost exhausted. If the predecessor was very good, a significant step forward is almost impossible. As a result, for several years now we have the opportunity to observe the emergence of so-called "evolutionary" models: the previous car undergoes a thorough revision, improvement of all that is possible even say more - the car simply re-created. But, paradoxically, in most cases obtained almost the same model, just a little more perfect. So it was with the fourth generation VW Golf, and even other cars of different classes is also not especially please fans of new products. Against this background, the new Honda Civic, the first copies of which only made it to our latitude, it looks much more attractive. Not in terms of exterior design, but because the new model can truly be called revolutionary.

X, Y and Z

They say that the Nurburgring over the rain often. So when the evening over ground broke out in this year's storm - with lightning, with heavy rain - we consoled ourselves that certain testers of BMW at the time of finishing races of the new Roadster Z4 on the Nurburgring, too, waited the storm, although the plan had to deal with Comparative evaluation of the "dry" handling Z4 and competitors ... With whom to compare Z4 Bavarians? The main "competitor X" - of course, Porsche Boxster. And as a "competitor Y" could well serve Honda S2000 with its only two-liter, but in such a crazy motorom.Pervym on low-level flight, scattering the birds of spring gaping shark palisade falshradiatornoy lattice was BMW Z4. Followed, snarling sverhvysookooborotnym engine raced another akulopodobnoe silver body - Honda S2000. And bringing up a column of bright yellow "tyanitolkay" Boxster ... Decent threesome! Too bad we could not get another 225-strong Audi TT with an open top and a Mercedes SLK. It would be more fun! However, with the Porsche and Honda, we have found is not without problems - in clubs, online ... At the landfill, while our priborist Andrey Mokhov settling the instrumentation, we met with the owners - and the conversation itself, whirled around the design .- Beautiful car - BMW cast an appraising glance, Ilya, the owner of a trading company and owner Bokstera. - As a professional, dealing with clothes, I say back - at C grade, but the sides - a solid five.

The degree of kinship

Relationship between the two very dissimilar individuals can sometimes prove the existence of one or two identical genes. Like the Honda HR-V and Renault Scenic RX4. Suppose you decide to buy a car. The selection criteria, as usual, not very soft: the car must be new, known and respected brands, fashionable, beautiful, original and usable on Russian roads. Traditional "light vehicles," you are not satisfied as to the practical and aesthetic reasons. The so-called SUVs - too: it was very cumbersome and expensive. It would seem that there is a solution - in a large family of four-wheel drive station wagon and SUV hybrids, which stuck the nickname of "SUV", has to choose. But here the main limiter is activated - the amount you are willing to spend on the car itself, not to exceed $ 25 thousand before the end of last year in the framework on the Russian market only fit Honda HR-V. Now it was joined by Renault Scenic RX4. GENERAL AND ChASTNOE.Nazhmem button remote control central locking on key fob (Honda) or on the shell key (Renault) and begin to explore the content. Honda meets the traditional and familiar layout of the car, which can be described as "all ingenious is simple." However, this simplicity is not synonymous with cheapness. European restraint and brevity of the exact study of all the details, as well as the predominance of dark colors in decorating materials create a special mood inherent in cars with a sporty character. What a great extent also contribute to the tough, well-configured to seat body, a relatively low landing and as high as in the bodies of "coupe", the line of the side windows.

Five out of 10 points

Without this, "parquet" class will not do any manufacturer. A share of this segment in the overall scheme is growing steadily. In addition to the five models presented can easily draw here at least as much again. But almost all of them veterans, long on the market soon and leaving the scene. Jeep CompassEgo malovozbuzhdayuscha appearance. But you never know - if someone else will like face obevshegosya hamster. The idea of ??release of "Compass" was strange from the beginning. Soplatformennik relatively successful Dodge Caliber, he had already assumed the appearance of yet another brother - in the summer of 2008. Jeep Patriot (name - plagiarism: it is borrowed from shtatovskih missile system, or, in the Ulyanovsk "miracle") is fundamentally nicer this "instrument". Come on - face no water to drink ... Goes something like it? According to the dynamics well. In vain, that the motor is quite powerful, and CVT, by definition, do not waste time on the switch. Flexibility - acceleration in certain speed ranges - also better than the opponents. But here's howling machine with brisk acceleration be healthy. But, as usual with advanced machines with CVT, by means of a selector can be fixed to simulate the transfer. It turns out quite neploho.Upravlyaemost worse. Rudder pustovat with "zero" problems. But you can get used to, even in corners and Jeep Compass behaves like an average peredneprivodnik, but on the smooth progress wins back points.

Inch controversy

Compact MPV was originally conceived as a family car. The fact that its features can be much wider, shows the path traversed by Mitsubishi Space star to Honda Stream. We chose these two cars is not accidental. First, they both belong to the fashionable world class "compact van" that is, they have the same concept. Second, both are built on the so-called Class C (low average). Third, Space Star soon as three years, "lives" on the Russian market, and Stream - the latest novelty. But in terms of price they are at opposite poles: Stream is more expensive at $ 9 thousand so we decided to see how the consumer and driving performance cars justify this difference. Wing or tail? Even the most cursory look at the pictures is easy to see that the longer the Stream. But not for the notorious $ 9 thousand, and exactly at 52 inches, falling on his back. Height and width of the machine are virtually identical. And the base of the Honda is also higher at 22 cm, however, is a quality inherited from the Civic last, the seventh generation, which in this parameter overplays his classmates. As well as by the original arrangement of parts underneath, "know-how" Honda, which allows you to make perfectly flat floor of the car. Space Star on the outside and is more conservative in their external data closer to the traditional station wagon. More precisely, the five-door hatchback to. But the original moldings and doors vyshtampovkoy form, passing from the back door onto the wing, as well as plastic sill look still more advantageously on a background of smooth sides Stream.

In the "drive"

So it was that seventh-generation Accord with I met at a rather unusual example of the machine: it was a two-liter hatchback with an automatic transmission. Now, on our test-drive sedan granted in the top version Executive - to 190-horsepower engine and a full set dopoborudovaniya. This is not just another modification - it's a different car! I remember, when touring all the brilliance of its handling is not pleased with decent dynamics and rigidity grieved the suspension. Now, from the mentioned shortcomings are not gone. Value "handling - ride" exemplary, if I remember correctly, such a successful combination of ride quality at a comparable price range has only a Citroen Xsara. Accord is insensitive to small defects in asphalt, and even a decent pit do not cause nervous shock body, as well as serious concerns for the plight of the suspension. This does not mean that the rough roads can be worn at a breakneck pace, but the level of comfort when driving in such unfriendly conditions, was unexpectedly high. Unexpectedly high in view of "gambling" controllability mashiny.Rul here is light, but very rich information. Its mechanism of "acute" and accurate: turn steering wheel for each degree brings results not only tangible but also amenable to precision forecasting. Moreover, visual feedback increases as the deflection from the zero position. Steer the vehicle close to neutral: Accord does not resist the rapid entrance of the drift turn the front axle and steering self-centering in a gas discharge predictably goes into a skid, which is adjusted with little effort.

Per Ty - the leader of warm-blooded

Here is the layout - if you read our GP for supercars, look for another article. In my pro they will not say a word. Not a hint of superharakteristiki. No word on racing legends of the past. No physical description of the excitation breaking voice. It's just a Honda Civic. Let and Type-R. Yes, this car is red, but it is too broad hint. But a compact hatchback almost no hood. In the ignorant it kills the hope that under him may be living. The logic is this: that you can manage to shove in this segment of free space two feet in length - from the electric juicer? At first glance, compared with 12 - and 8-cylinder units of other parties, 2.0-liter engine is really only by squeezing the liquid from the tropical fruit. If you move away from incorrect comparisons, one can notice that when in the tropics will end all the fruit, the motor would still be strong enough to throw this is not the easiest car for the mark of 230 km / h. The first "hundred" shall be for 6.8. In this particular owner usually experiences the ecstasy of the top, between five and eight thousand rpm, thanks to brilliantly simple system of variable valve timing. And yet here 200 "horses" from a 2-liter engine, and it is 100 liters - the standard, known for his BMW M3 ... But these challenges - inside. And from the outside seems too innocuous odnoob'emnik serious. Some had simple door too easy to enter, although the bucket seats, but do not squeeze them tightly, in sports, a vice. Planting a civil, high, and the torpedo, but the white scale devices, there is nothing that resembles the sport. "Bagel" - a plastic, knob scenes though gleaming aluminum, but it is there where the bus driver is usually affixed to five icons in a row.

Red and Black

Last September, the British factory in Swindon Honda started assembling the new model generation Civic. The car comes in four body styles: three-and five-door hatchback, sedan and coupe. The first 150 cars floated away in their historic homeland (well in the Japanese style: all the best - for myself) - three-door hatchback that had a version of the Type R, with a 2-liter 200-horsepower engine and six-speed transmissions with the convergence. These sports cars. Therefore, when the Honda Civic Type R has appeared in Moscow and hit the "motor" for a test drive, to its logical fell to me - the sportsman racer. Honda Civic Type R immediately attracts the attention first of all, thanks to quite original-cut body. A sort of bug, a hunchback, exquisitely ugly, especially from the front. Huge headlights, hood tailless creeps on, sinking into the arches of large 17-inch wheels, antikrylyshko, perched above a narrow glass back door ... Type of vehicle is a complex feeling, which is close to umileniyu.Iz the strongly raised the roof and more vertical than the previous model, the landing was much more spacious inside. Different interior trim neat asceticism. Under the left steering switch on the glove compartment and console under the heater there are niches for more details. The instrument panel is decorated with white dials, easy to read and completely overwhelmed. Against the background of matte-black dash stands finished in silver plastic console heater. It is the shift lever (which, according to one friend of mine, looks very sexy) - this is one of the main highlights of the car.

Universal Accord

The days when manufacturers could not afford to be a special delicacy, creating on the basis of a hatchback - a sedan or coupe-cabriolet, but based on a sedan - wagon are long gone. Now the audience will buy is not "anyhow" fastened the trunk, even if he supervmestitelen. In other words, you want to make the modification looked quite independent model. And certainly beautiful. And it turns out is not at all, especially in such a specific "genre" as a genre of sport wagons. Honda's trick - with the recently debuted Accord Tourer - seems to be a success. Good-bye, "elephants", this is to myself until recently called "elephants," nearly all-rounders. Still sounds better than "Sarah", even if I add - "on wheels". After all, they could be quite nice, although clumsy. Here - wrote this, and I thought - how much tight in my head and sat down stereotypes. But for a long time is not so! In the market of many large and multi-function machines that look appropriate and at an expensive club, and near the cottage. And to own that not only convenient, but also prestigious. In addition to their range is a special rule, which began to form, in my view, three years ago. It was then, in the 2000th, Alfa Romeo unveiled the 156 Sportwagon. This was followed by the Mazda 6 Station Wagon, with its developments flocked to the increasingly promising market segment by other manufacturers. And the Honda Accord Tourer - just not yet too late: in spite of growing demand, the proposal is not too much.

Japanese lighter

I think that hondovtsy wrong. There was no need to begin withdrawal of our market a new family of cars with the Honda Civic sedan. Even though, in Russian, as well as in several other countries in Eastern and Northern Europe, buyers of cars in this class still favorable to sedans than to hatchbacks. Because the sedan turned out boring. Correct, technologically advanced and certainly the Japanese are very reliable. And boring. If we were talking about some other brand, then ... But I'm used to that Honda Civic - it's always a blast. A bright, impetuous way, mad motor, temperamental control. The new sedan is not. Civic has matured? Then it is - old. Apparently, marketers relied on the fact that in Northern Europe (for example, in the same Denmark, where the presentation is driven Civic Sedan) Honda - a machine that zhaluyut ... pensioners. But in Russia, some things are different! HONDA Civic Type-R. That's what we expected! And dozhdalis.V basis - three-door hatchback. And despite the fact that in the context of rapid new Civic past trehdverka seems well-fed bumpkin ("where the waist will do?"), The designers could still be convinced that Sivic Type-R - very temperamental device. Lining on the sidewalls, the modified bumper, roof spoiler ... But most importantly, perhaps, the wheels: 205/45 R17! If you remember, the designers of the new Civic was very proud to be able to dispense with the central tunnel floor, retaining, as they claim, excellent body rigidity.

VUPV

SUVs no longer a fit within the same class - now the acronym stands for numerous car SUV race with their classes and groups, from tiny to huge, from the 'SUV' to 'serious crooks ", from the most" cost "to the real luxury . And to ensure that the proposed Honda, hardly will be selected the best definition, off-road than the OLA, high-capacity wagon. Can argue about how much do we have in common with the inhabitants of North America, but the similarity of vast, densely covered with not particularly road networks, makes itself felt: the same way we involve SUVs, the car impersonation of independence from external conditions. We all should be off-road - and the compact city "samobeglye stools", and spacious family station wagons, limousines and luxury hospitality. And this passion is not able to meet the selection provided by the official importers, most of which we relate to the European "zone of influence." However, the market abhors a vacuum - would demand. So we turned and Acura MDX, with whom we met just over a year ago ("Cars", b 5 / 2001). In our time the universal unification would be naive to assume that a very successful platform will provide the basis for the car belonging to the category luxury: this winter at the Detroit auto show was shown and a "family" version - Honda Pilot. And, of course, just at the beginning of the summer Pilot went on sale in North America, as it is already possible to easily buy and Moscow.

Time of departure

Previously, hatchback class "C" - a compact car for all occasions - you can buy, and comparing the price of three characteristics: the volume of the engine, gearbox and body color. But the class the same type of thing of the past. And if the machine is designed not to himself but to any of the relatives, selection error can conceive scandalous consequences. Well, let's say, they took flight, and the fact that he was not on that flight, it became clear already during landing is interesting to observe the competition of Japanese automakers, because it is unpredictable, as the fight sumo wrestlers. A few rounds in a row, you can contemplate the strange commotion without apparent motion: the meat rested two mountains in the center of the circle and shifting until someone one does not slip. But the next two rounds can fly at a furious pace, in seconds. One burly Peck his rival on clay platform - a victory! And second, it turns out, did not miss: How to fling an enemy outside the circle, as if it is not two hundred, and some twenty pounds of live weight ... A similar exchange of blows took place between the Honda and Mazda in the small car segment. For a long time fight wear flaccid, extrusive character with an edge on the side of the Civic, the historically more popular than the family, "Three hundred twenty-third." But in 2003, in Hiroshima made a revolutionary Mazda3, which even in Europe, where there are also "golf", idols, became a bestseller. Honda does not remain in debt and paid a return attack.

Drive gas

Even now, when the Honda Civic hatchback is the eighth generation on a rolling road avtopoligona Dmitrovsky, we still can not believe that this is a production car. Fighting with a wedge "chandelier" head lighting, triangular embrasures "protivotumanok" and exhaust pipes ... next to his classmates, the Mazda 3 hatchbacks and 2.0 Sport Peugeot 307 2.0 Feline, the new Civic looks like an alien from another planet! And as far as content corresponds to the form? Rivals to the test we chose on purpose - it must be both "design" and the dynamic hatchbacks. Of course, among them have to be a two-liter Mazda 3, which had once prevailed in the "dynamics" in the test with classmates Volkswagen Golf 2.0 FSI and the Ford Focus 2.0 (see AR № 13-14, 2005). Who else? Esthetic Citroen C4 VTS? But we felt it quite recently (see AR № 10, 2006). The result was the third new Peugeot 307, but the most powerful version - with a two-liter engine, uprated to 177 sil.Sily, of course, unequal: hondovsky engine 1.8 i-VTEC develops 140 hp, and two-liter "four" Mazdy - 150 HP But the choice, alas, is not necessary - now in Russian car market is just crazy. If there is no correct version in press Park, the dealers and even more so - all swept away by a powerful hurricane demand. At least the 177-strong Peugeot remained unsold ... In addition, the difference in power was not as yavnoy.Konechno, Peugeot dynamic - is gathering hundreds of places to 0.9 faster than the Mazda, and a full second ahead of the Civic.

Accordeon

Do not ask me why I remember the keys when testing a car. Also remember not always, but only if the "tool" is properly set up, and it nice to "perform." Honda Accord - in this series. Rides - like singing. In addition, this model with the musical name of the Japanese polished more than two decades, from generation to generation, so that you have reached a considerable degree of perfection. But this year, had restyled, and I had occasion to spend time behind the wheel and tell about it in the pages of "AI". A total of meruNa leisure can speculate - what in appearance Accord more - elegance and sportiness. I limit myself to what I say: enough of that and more. A version of Type S, flaunting a sports body kit, there is a lot of aggressiveness. However, the standard machine is not shy. Latest updates are minor, that is, in my opinion, even better. Designers limited to replacement of the grille, low lighting and retouching barely noticeable modification of the bumper. As a result, Accord has not lost yet sufficiently pronounced sporty, but it began to look a little more representative. By the way, inherited the test vehicle pretty remarkable. Mounted on its aerodynamic exactly copied version of the Type S, with the exception of the spoiler on the trunk lid - for instance it is not a factory. Nevertheless, the "dynamic charge," which brings to shape machine tuning elements, fits perfectly into the style of the model. Inside more comfort than aggression.

Children of the big city

In the multi-million dollar concrete jungle with heavy traffic and lack of compact parking spaces from the outside, but inside the spacious city cars are called for. Today, our heroes - Honda Jazz, Peugeot 207 and the Skoda Fabia - one of the most prominent representatives of this vast segment. Despite the fairly substantial by the standards of the modern automobile age, Honda Jazz (or, as it is called at home, Fit) still looks fresh. But the model made its debut in 2002. However, prior to the Russian clients got a little Honda with a decent late, with sales only began in 2005. The success of the model directly dependent on the flexibility of pricing policy. The Japanese also who regarded only as a Jazz elegant complement to the traditional best-seller like the Accord and Civic, it did not show. In general, the Russian debut of a very interesting and promising, but unreasonably expensive baby was blurred. However, judging by the results of last year, the situation was corrected. Whether domestic buyer finally felt the potential of Jazz, whether its current price does not seem beyond the clouds, but the model shows a positive trend of sales and substantially ahead of last year's debutants, the Russian market of the Peugeot 207 and the new Skoda Fabia (3267 vehicles against 2617 and 2250, respectively). But let us return to our heroes. Externally, Honda Jazz - mikroven rather than the hatchback. But it is not surprising for such a variant build willy-nilly, with the task to write a modest amount as a spacious cabin.

Cross-class

It's a shame, doubt - you are beautiful, fashionable machine with all-wheel drive and the proportions of this SUV, but for a small increase you called "SUV", but still feel somehow "female"! Rehabilitation of oppressed layer "rascals," we looked at the off-road proving ground Mudterrain, specially designed for just such "dirty" experiments. At the same time not by hearsay know what to do, as always when the spring thaw came unexpectedly caught off guard somewhere in a field near Kaluga. Scarlet TsVETOChEKHonda CR-VChto it? Hovercraft? No! This - Honda CR-V new generation aerodynamic which would dissolve as the road, causing a strange association with amphibians. On the cross at the CR-V and though everything was normal, overheat the clutch failed, despite the absence of any increase cross-fangled systems. Surprisingly, there is not even a lock. Everyone manages hydroelectric system with a cunning name Dual Pump. Even at the hub in mud car moves very confidently, electronics neatly flips the torque from the wheel stalled in having the clutch, but also limits the vseprolaznost modest ground clearance: 175 mm - good for "light vehicles", but for an SUV - not enough! Already on the road from the landfill Honda simply stuck to the bottom of the track, had to use the same asphalt trosa.Na first thing you notice - high noise levels. The roar of tires dominate the rest of the stimuli, while the elastic suspension hollow points each seam or pothole.

A descendant of the founder

The birth of a CR-V had no direct analogue, for 6 years of release went on to sell millions of copies and the world actually gave a start to a new turn in the market of universal car. What complicated the life of the heir: the new CR-V had initially to be prepared for much tougher competition. In 1995, introducing the world vehicle called Comfortable Runabout Vehicle *, Honda, it seems, and she could not imagine a genie released from a bottle. After the initial task was to "just" declare themselves on the American market compact SUV and grab a share of it as possible. But the approach! "Off" appearance, the interior of compact minivan, automatic all-wheel drive "cars" handling and comfort - CR-V, built on the principle of "That-that-which-must-to medium-to-Client", immediately became a major player in the market. But no one imagined that this unusual "element of interclass" suddenly charm and "old Europe": it is literally on the run had to do so coveted here a modification of the manual transmission (1997). And over time - and post production plant in the UK (Honda of The UK Mfg. Ltd., Swindon), now bears the proud title of «The Home of the Type-R». Speaking of the letter R, racing engines and other attributes of a sports image hondovskogo . Practice shows that many Russian buyers of all this was not even heard of, because for them Honda is primarily associated with the CR-V - this model is the undisputed bestseller in Russia and mark a major source of income and few formal numerous informal dealers.

Seventh edition. Enlarged

"More careful with the car, more than two hundred not to disperse: tires here is old" - warned the manager of the showroom. "What we psychos - 200 km / h within city limits, and even in the winter to summer tires?" - Before say anything, I thought. But psychologists, by the way, have long pointed out that any ban is valid from the reverse vector. And twice as much as a direct call to action ... I made a serious face and promised: "We will be very careful!". The more so because we took the 2.4-liter restyled Accord not to be worn around town at top speed. So, look for updates ... Hmmm, more than two hundred, you say? Before the encounter with retouched sedan nose to nose, eyes, run through the information on the site of one of the dealers: "... design and construction of the updated Honda Accord sedan leaving this seventh-generation car to new levels. From then on he became one of the main contenders for the mustache in the Infantry class prestige cars with a sporty character ... "were updated front and rear bumpers, grille, side skirts, a pair of strokes in the front and rear optics. Onboard computer now shows instantaneous and average (for all the latest travel) fuel consumption, plus appeared several new details. And this set is scheduled to Accord, "the new frontiers?" And he will be "one of the main contenders to succeed in the class prestige cars with a sporty character"? Is it too bold a claim? Exterior changes are not made sedan qualitatively better, but definitely refreshed: now there Accord biography of the line "2006" with the caption "restyling." Sports & Luxury car did not, only if we consider the practicality of an alternative image: low spoilers likely to suffer from "second Russian problem," they have time to pay attention to improving the aerodynamics ...

Number of quality

As a minimum means to change the consumer properties of the car? The answer can be a new version of the urban SUV Honda HR-V. three-door Honda HR-V was a guest of the magazine "Motor" for over a year ago (# 5-6, 1999). Do not hit us too off-road ability, it was classified as a youth hatchback. Perhaps the only fresh-baked newlyweds without children, or having, but quite small, are able to come to terms with the complexity and inconvenience of landing the rear row of seats. But the kids have a habit of growing ... Recently in the domestic market there was the five-door Honda HR-V. It would seem - is nonsense: you will think, a couple of doors added. However, we decided that it's still a reason for not counting a separate publikatsii.Esli stretched by 100 mm base and, accordingly, the total length, and a new rear wing with brake light, the car looks almost unchanged. expanded color gamma. Incidentally, the above spoiler is not a distinctive feature pyatidverki, it is now set on the three-door HR-V. Changes in the proportions and profile made the car more similar with an older brother - CR-V. But if you put them together, the difference in size is obvious. The car has an engine the same amount as last year - 1.6 liters, but now it is equipped with variable valve VTEC, forming not one but two spike on the power curve. The very capacity increased by 20 hp fully feel about working in the variator Last year, we have chosen this time a car with a manual five-speed manual transmission. (For completeness, it is worth mentioning that this year, continuously variable transmission has two sports mode.) interest is the principle of permanent four-wheel drive.

Game nuances

Honda Dealers company announced the start of official sales of new car Honda CR-V, and this was the occasion for another duel on the track out Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 - top competitors in the struggle for the hearts and wallets of enthusiasts and lovers of compact "SUV." Both cars - with automatic transmissions. And whether or Honda CR-V - a new model? Maybe it's just a figment of restyling? After all, the wheelbase has not changed, although the car was an inch longer ... No, no, we have - and indeed a new car! Moreover, as the "base" is not used Honda CR-V the previous generation, and the new Civic, although direct implantation of the elements out of the question: Honda Civic - it is rather "an ideological platform." From now on, the front suspension - double wishbone not, and McPherson. The steering mechanism is higher, the most elongated tie rods. Independent rear suspension became more compact and elastokinematika designed so that increased braking the descent of the rear wheels (and thus increased exchange rate stability). At the same engine capacity was three "horse" is more powerful - they are now 150. The increase of torque was 13 Nm, with a peak it reached in the zone of lower speed - at 4000 rev / min (earlier - at 5200 rev / min). "High-torque" motor improved with the new system, VTC, changing the time of the opening of the intake valves. And the VTC does not replace but complements well-established system VTEC.Chto new in the cabin?

Musical soul

Today is the fifth generation of Honda Accord in great demand in the secondary market. No wonder, because this car is fresh and has good design, and is not too expensive. So, what to expect from the buyer a "fifth» Honda Accord? Online you can find many different generations of Accord and modifications, for the first time this model was shown in 1976. Since then, new versions of the machines appear every 4-5 years, and now dealers «Honda» sell quite well already the seventh generation Accord. We are interested in fifth Accord was introduced in 1993 and produced until the end of 1997. This car company «Honda» continued policy of separation of models depending on markets. As a result, the market can be found fifth Accord, designed for Japan, Asia, Europe or the USA. Most critics of the Asian and the Middle East deserve machines designed for operation in hot climates. They may have serious problems with the engine cooling system, even at low temperatures. Although, frankly, the owners of many "Asians" do not see this as okay, because our climate is not suitable for rubber hoses can zamenit.Osnovnoe dignity of American Accord - rich equipment and the availability of a range of options with a V6 engine of 2.7 liters. In addition, two-door car lovers can bring from the states Coupe Accord. The Japanese Accord in the European part of Russia is also not uncommon - the Urals, not to mention the Far East, they generally prevail. But in Moscow, the operation had been brought from America or Japan, cars can be difficult to purchase spare parts, as they have not only some of the individual body parts, but also part of the original suspension parts, brakes, etc.

Honda CR-V (1998-1999 years of release)

Appearance SUV, minivan interior, handling light vehicles - all diverse, Honda CR-V. Among car owners, it is considered a "female" car, though a strong half manages CR-V with pleasure. Abbreviation: CR-V stands for Comfortable Recreational Vehicle. Russian language can be translated as a car, comfortable seating. In the spring of 1997 Honda CR-V began selling in Europe, almost immediately took a leading position among the "parquet jeeps", although the design and behavior on the road CR-V is the real "passenger car". However, it has plenty of virtues, brings her with SUVs, minivans, and from. The two-liter four-cylinder CR-V power 128 hp initially aggregated only with a 4-step "automatic" and later appeared as an option and a 5-step "mechanics". In 1999, the model has undergone a modernization of the small - apart from minor changes in the exterior and interior of the engine power increased to 147 hp VIEW FROM STORONYCR-V has a bearing body. Galvanized in part, it's pretty painless transfers caustic Moscow winter. Nevertheless, corrosion can still appear at the bottom of the fifth door, more precisely, on its contact with the rubber seal and the rear arches - where goes flying out of the mud under the wheels. From stones and twigs on a lightweight body defend big relief off-road bumpers and plastic plates on the doors in the most convex parts, which after the facelift in 1999 were painted in body color. It is useful to look under the front bumper: the engine is covered by a powerful pipe there, the degree of curvature of obodrannosti and which can be seen that in any road conditions, "living" car. "Honda", which tried to use the Jeep can also be identified by the scratched paint on the sides and bumpers, dents and corrosion on the suspension elements of the protection of the body, engine crankcase and rear bridge, stripped the bottom.

Accord № 7

Formerly, the sixth generation of this car did not find many buyers in Russia. This is because of many reasons, among them - not too expressive appearance, the relatively high cost, lack of advertising. Seventh-generation Accord has changed everything: cars showrooms from dismantled like a cold brew in the summer scorching heat, and get one of them for a test case was not easy. But in the end I found myself driving a two-liter version with automatic transmission in a complete Sport. Little by little, to compensate for the failure otovsyuduPytayas models of the past generation, the Japanese engineers decided not to rush into a new and thoroughly analyze the strengths and weaknesses of competitors. First of all, carefully studied the car market in Europe. Who is the best in noise reduction, road performance, comfort and reliability. The first results, the management ordered to make a new Honda car at least as good opponents. As a result, we have what we have - Accord seventh generation began to look more impressive, he added, in size, although the wheelbase remains the same, got a new interior. However, the main argument Accord, perhaps, is regarded as the exterior. The body is replete with sharp, literally chopped edges, slightly slanted headlights with a new grille (it is a five-point form rather smacks of the Mazda 6) look a little menacing, a prototype for the narrow rear lights, reminiscent of a razor blade, it seems, was the Alfa Romeo 156. In general, as had been ordered to take the best of competitors, and the resulting diluted own work.

Active "drive"

Somehow it happened that SUVs have considered perhaps the most expensive class of car. Regardless of the size and degree of "slope" AWD "jeep" in the minds of our countrymen, he is quoted as at least at the level of the notorious "six hundredth." In principle, this approach is normal - SUVs, as the most difficult to manufacture the type of car really cost much more than small cars are mass models and the middle class. Especially noticeable "different" in this sense, full-size and luxury models - their cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. But this does not mean that to purchase a new four-wheel drive car that your envious neighbors, as well as tax inspector probably identify as "jeep" necessarily requires a huge amount. As in any other class of SUVs, too, is relatively inexpensive models. One of them - Honda HR-V in our test ... Formally, the reason for the test served as a restyled: the car on the market in 1999, was updated a little "face" and the interior. New bumpers, "fog" as standard equipment for all versions, a "combed" salon - just a slight change for us, but are important to customers. But when we found out the price for this car, honestly, looked at it through different eyes. After all, Honda HR-V - is one of the most affordable "SUV" in our market. With a retail value of this "Japanese" from $ 13.030 to compete with them can not even Korean models - the most accessible of them, Hyundai Santa Fe, costs considerably more expensive!

All your carried with me

The promised three years of waiting. And what else would you explain that it is very popular in Europe, seven-seat Opel Zafira monocab began selling in Russia just now? After all, Zafira for three years with a tail! Opelevtsy or waited in the Russian market will be a worthy competitor - for example, Honda Stream? So, Opel Zafira 2.2 and Honda Stream 2.0. Opel Zafira - this is the first compact monocab new wave with three rows of seats. The car turned out to be so successful that three years ago, Ford - one of the main rivals Opel - has decided to suspend development of its cars in its class: it would obviously lost ... Honda Stream, seven-seater, too, appeared two years later. The vast majority of cars in this sector are still small monocab pyatimestnymi.V Europe (or "almost" odnoob'emnik) built on units of vehicles of class, usually called kompaktven. And as the Zafira is built on a platform of model Astra, Honda Stream and is based on units of the model Civic, then both cars quite fall under this definition - kompaktveny.Analiziruya market opelevtsy came to the conclusion that one of the advantages monocab - removable seat - rarely used. Pull out of the salon chair polutorapudovoe - a problem even for strong men. And where is it seat to leave? In the parking lot? Lift to the tenth floor? If you have decided to buy some big thing away from home, what to do - take the seat to the storage chamber, and then for them to come? Opelevtsy decided that all his need to carry with them, and have developed an original fastening system of folding seats - Flex7 (from the British flexible - "the varied", "flexible").

Hot!

A lot of it is "family" hatchbacks have a very "warm" modification. But they are made differently. How exactly - we look at the example of Ford Focus ST170 and the Honda Civic Type R. Bright blue Ford Focus ST 170 and defiantly a red Honda Civic Type R. Where to start? As in the joke: "What do you drink: alcohol or vodka? - Oh, do not even know all that tasty!" Cars like the similar - both have a two-liter naturally aspirated engines and are about 27 thousand dollars. But in fact, a significant difference between them - starting with "branded" color and ending with suspension tuning. Top MODELNachnem, perhaps, with Ford Focus. The first thing that you notice is sport seats Recaro. Chair for a few seconds can be set up for themselves, and the feeling that you can drive it hundreds of miles without tiring. It is very clearly captures the trunk and never shakes. "Warm" versions are not cheap, and it is not surprising that Ford is equipping ST170 as a real top model - has climate control and music system with 6-disc CD-changer. Interior trim is not very different from the standard, which is famous self-possessed style and ergonomics. The only change - the appearance of signs of temperature and oil pressure in the center panel. Although the picture of a little spoiled abundance of plastic: in the interior of the "hot" version more appropriate would have been aluminum or carbon fiber inserts. I catch myself thinking that I crawled inside, without even inspecting the car outside.

Classmates of the 4th "D»

These four cars were combined into a single test on a "national" basis. Four representatives of the class D of the four countries. Not leaders, but not outsiders market. We chose sedans with engines greater than two liters, with automatic transmission and a sufficiently broad set of options. Honda AccordHONDA ACCORD - dynamic, even dramatic car to know how to ride and appreciate the sporting qualities. Asset "Honda" - instant start. Accord impetuous in everything, starting with an abundance of wedge-shaped lines and finishing honed reactions to any action of the driver. Two pipes, spoilers, moldings - gallant knight in armor. Under kapotomDvigatel: working volume of 2354 cm3, the compression ratio 10,5:1 Max. Power 190 hp. with. at 6800 rev / min, max. moment 223 Nm at 4500 r / min Fuel consumption (EPA): 6,9 / 13,7 liters per 100 km Fuel capacity: 65 liters Maximum capacity: 460 liters. The luggage compartment lid is opened and an impressive user-friendly. Pumped up a high line connector. Spare wheel - under the carpet Peugeot 407Ona leaves no one indifferent. Behind the 407-I does not look great. Fog lights and cool mowed very well illuminate the space on either side of the speaker "nose." Under the orange display in Peugeot has a handy shelf with a concave rubber. phones like ... Under kapotomDvigatel: working volume of 2231 cm3, the compression ratio 10,8:1 Max. Power 158 hp. with. at 5650 rev / min, max. moment 217 Nm at 3900 r / min Fuel consumption (EPA): 6,1 / 13,9 liters per 100 km Fuel capacity: 66 liters Maximum: 410 hp.

The field for the war in golf

Hatchbacks are getting better, bigger, and their sales are increasing. Here they are heroes of our time: Volkswagen Golf, Honda Civic, Citroen C4 and Peugeot 307. They are selling out so fast that even for the dough to pick up cars in the same trim was not easy. In the end we got the Golf and C4 with 1.6 liter engines and the "automatic" two-liter 307-D also with automatic transmission and Civic c 1.8-liter engine and the "mechanics". However, it is a good thing because it often turns out to be in this situation and the buyer, who must choose from the fact that there is. French revolyutsiyaCitroen C4 However, there is an easier way to get an unusual car - a Citroen C4 queues are not, and yet more recently, we could not believe that this machine is not a concept car. His appearance screams: "I - the future! Well, Make way! »Citroen used to challenge. The whole history of the company shows that the French did nothing that "run up". Their cars were equipped with hydropneumatic suspension and "see around turn 'lights, when it seemed to this madness. Citroen did odnospitsevye handlebars and digital displays in 1971! Why? Just because a company with "two chevrons" was used and, most importantly, taught all to the fact that it goes its own way. But once it became clear that "one's own track" is a dead end, and Citroen has absorbed their eternal rival - Peugeot.S4 again led the world to talk about the "double chevron" in the present tense.

Sunset over the ground

The sun rose over the Land of the Rising Sun, and once it became light and warm. But hiding under the awning did not want to - suddenly miss his turn to drive the updated roadster Honda S2000? Let allowed to make only three laps on a small closed path, which is hondovskom range in Tochigi is to assess the handling, but the bread! Or rice? In general, all sorts of interesting: it is now with the Honda S2000 migrated chassis. And after the "two thousandth" I waited for other Honda, no less intriguing: NSX, NSX-R, Integra Type-R ... The last time I rode a Honda S2000 more recently - in the summer, during the comparative test around the BMW Z4 (see AR № 11, 2003). Unforgettable. We then distilled the three roadster (there was also a Porsche Boxster) to the landfill on Highway Rogachev. By morning, empty and twisty Rogachevke.Pomnyu, I was wondering how well that in Moscow there are still expensive - beautiful, is not loaded to the eyeballs vacationers, with no markings and no lights. And how cool that is in the light of such cars as the Honda S2000! Small and nimble, with the "elastic" the wheel, with a real sport, train suspension - hard not to discomfort, but to enjoy a sense of reliability and complete control over the car, even in rough-speed cornering. And, of course, with such a fantastic power plant - 120 liters with power, roaring nine thousand revolutions, metal, turned boss on short lever box, "slide" precision switches ... Honda then lost the "Z-fourth," on points, but in which just won our hearts.

Magic numbers

Since ancient times, many people worship the number seven as a symbol of perfection and harmony. The number three will be at least deeper meaning. On the eve of the third millennium, there is the seventh generation Honda Civic. Civic was first introduced in the 70s - more precisely, in 1972. For all the time production had been sold twice in 7 million vehicles. Engine volume of a new 1.6-liter sedan, for a total again at seven. And finally, the official premiere of this car in Russia on November 17. That is so funny coincidence. Third position. Look, like, totally perfect and harmonious. However, the profile with a domed roof, a sloping windscreen and rear windows, wide rear pillars that are integrated into the corners of the body blocks the external optics, a short, steep drop-down hood, short front overhang and almost vertical cut bumpers, a sharp corner edge of the trunk - all this is an analogy with samples of other global automakers. However, the interconnectivity of design decisions have been, are and will be. More important. Compared with its predecessor, the new Civic has matured and changed in a tracksuit top three with a tie. It appeared an element of solidity, on the external data is not "massmobil", although not business class - something that a third, intermediate. Look before you leap. Creating a new Civic, Honda engineers have gone contrary to the laws of the genre and began to build a car from the inside. Body "wear" on the interior, and not vice versa.

Just another Civic

I'm not sure that new - it is well forgotten old. The new Honda is no "cell" of her newborn, "the body" does not repeat its predecessors. This is a completely different car - a big, beautiful and powerful. The new Civic came to Russia as a four-door sedan. Visually car longer and wider than its predecessor. Machine length 4460 mm, for a typical city car is not bad, and the width - 1715 mm - also "no children". With these parameters Civic almost caught up with the "big brother" Accord. Appearance Civic, as well as many recent "Japanese", is not devoid of a certain style, but lacks personality. The new Civic is beautiful, it is beyond doubt, but ... Old "Civic" was instantly recognizable by the huge headlights, a special slant hood, and rear lights were part of the original image. Unfortunately, the new "Japanese" no "maverick." It seems to me that if the grille to put a different icon, then no one would notice the substitution, and the rear lights so lights are very similar to Mitsubishi Diamante. But this, in my opinion, not so bad, because the main thing is that the machine vnutri.Salon. Black cloth, soft plastic, no sharp angles. Salon and strict quality as a good suit. Traditionally, the hard "hondovskie" seats with good lateral support and the three adjustments allow the driver to comfortably accommodate any build. People rise above the average is not enough adjustment on the steering column length.

Ladies - by "Honda"!

What is important for the new Honda CR-V - a beautiful walk or steeplechase? Tell me, dear reader: would you assess the skills of tennis in his ability to climb on the rocks? Of course not. And why, I ask myself, we often judge the car as if every new model simply has to combine all the possible advantages? Dynamics and capacity, throughput and comfort and more preferably a low cost and luxury finishes. Not wiser - and this is my last rhetorical question - agree with Mr. Prutkov that can not be all things to, and each machine must be able to exactly that, what is? Such is the unpretentious thought came to my mind when I sadly watched as my brothers - automotive journalists mocked Honda CR-V. Organizers of the test-drive for some reason pulled this beauty out of the city-suburb, where she would live happily ever after, and placed in extreme conditions avtopoligona Dmitrovsky, where she was saved only by a miracle. Perhaps, I thought, this is done specifically to each of us could finally understand the horse and timid deer are good individually, but if they cross, will be released some Przewalski's horse. If this was done the calculation - it is very tonko.Avtomobilny ground in Dmitrov - a dangerous place, especially for an inexperienced person. There are complex areas that, looking ahead, say, Honda has stood with dignity. And yet, it looks like a pretty civilized girl, got into the hands of natives poorly studied Indonesian island. It is good that this story has a happy ending.

Compromise

Imagine that every time someone braking, top up the tank of your car polstakanchika fuel. Free of charge. That is a gift. And fuel - magic, burn without leaving a trace and not even the exhaust gases. However, this "someone" will cost you an extra $ 3,000, weighs 75 kg, and you always have to carry it with you. Do you agree? Then the Honda Civic Hybrid - for you. Braking in front of the sign "roundabout" turn - and goes on the Civic Hybrid a shallow arc up for overclocking. Engine after clicking on the gas "thinks" for a long moment, then once the tachometer needle soars up - Honda and a few strained under monotonous and not very pleasant noise of the engine, gaining skorost.M, yes, variable in conjunction with the 1300 cc engine - this is diagnosis ... For what Civic Hybrid as praising the American and Canadian Auto Journalists? That's what I'm trying to understand now, riding on the new gibridomobile on spetsdorogam hondovskogo northern landfill Takasu, Hokkaido. By the way, the road is not simple, but European. A real! On the mountain bends and roundabouts, which are not found anywhere else in Japan. This track was built at the site hondovtsy specifically to better customize their new models for preference of Europeans. After all, even the Honda Civic Hybrid will be sold not only in America and Japan but also in the Old World. Maybe even Russia! In the United States and Japan Civic 2006 model year - a whole family. Ordinary sedan with 140-horsepower 1.8, the hybrid version of the Civic Hybrid - and compartments (including 'hot »Civic Si with nearly two-liter engine that dvuhsotsilnym).

Wrestlers with obstruction

Ta-seventh of the land, where we'll have the imprudence to prosper, to be happy enough adapted. Especially in road climatic sense. And if half a year yet somehow manage to do one pair of driving wheels, and even secretly sigh for gigs, with cold weather comes the realization: clearance should be high, drive - complete and tires - winter. Once cross-roads falling should increase permeability of the crew. Therefore, the updated Toyota RAV4 ripe for our market, like a spoon for lunch. And face to face friends with perennial rival, the founder of "light off-road" genre Honda CR-V. Both samurai (although CR-V are collected in the English factory Honda, in Swindon) has been successfully compete. Compete in the struggle for the wallets of wealthy citizens, off-road ambitions are confined to overcome a year-round medium-high curbs, summer picnic "on the sidelines" and the winter nights in the snow unpeeled yards. To do this, Toyota and Honda are all necessary. Roomy but not too bulky body, which is raised - but not too much - over the road. Enough four-wheel drive, but without the frills type dzhiperskih ponizhayki or cross-axle locks (with RAV4 - constant, the CR-V - plug-in automatically when the front wheels slip). Plus, the high seating position, which facilitates maneuvering in the rush hour. Therefore, very often these machines are set by the driver in skirts, and reduce the sparring Auto Journalists. And we once again give them a confrontation prompted a recent update, "Rafiq".

Pan-athlete

Nice motto "Sport - to the masses!" to be welcomed and supported in every way when it comes to winter swimming, checkers or jogging. But not all active sessions are equally useful on a large scale. The result of the introduction into the mass of motor sport - it's mass deaths of motorists in mass accidents and, consequently, the thinning of these same people. Drivers are not born, under no circumstances are not, but rather, degenerate at the wheel stock car designed to travel on public roads. That's the car Honda Accord Type S, in the opinion of Nikolay Fomenko, one can not engage in a serious sport. It can be simply love. He can just be friends. Honda, a car brand for me is not an alien. I've worked with machines Honda, prepared by the Belgian company ELR, in the Russian championship circuit races. Yes, there was not Type S, and Type R. Not Accord, and Civic. Not a private vehicle, and car racing. It does not matter. In general, "hondovskie" "types" - it's nice and firm "types". They clearly felt rock and a healthy mind in a sound body. Almost all of the "Honda" live long. They are reliable in operation and do not cause their owners much hassle. So the Honda Accord Type S, say it in my own way, the car is beautiful in many ways. Again, in my own way I confess: I would not buy Honda Accord Type S. This is the case when the "two in one" no dignity, and understand that. Judge for yourself. On the one hand - the car 190 "horses" and armchairs with side support, the "hard" steering wheel ...

Star image

Mechanism - minimum, man - maximum. Smaller cars - more human. On the rule of two M told me Isamu Sunaga, one of the chief engineers of the company Honda. It was in the German Research Center Honda R & D Center Deutschland, that near Frankfurt. And it was a new hatchback Honda Civic. The good news: Civic eighth generation looks stunning! Though filmed in fantastic blockbusters. The rapid V-shaped silhouette with displaced forward passenger compartment, the glass roof. Neither give nor take a concept car! Protivotumanok triangles, luxurious "chandelier" in place of traditional falshradiatornoy lattice. Under a transparent plastic hood - rows of small mirrors. Is this an attempt to use counter-light to illuminate the road? No, I explain, "mirrors" are rotated so that the reflected light would go up. Why? Send signals to the aliens? Looks like much hondovtsy tired of accusations that the current Civic is boring ... Why no rear wiper? The Japanese claim that the aerodynamics pyatidverki so good that the glass simply would not be contaminated. Not in Russia! And ground clearance suspiciously low: under the front bumper - on the strength of one hundred millimeters, not more. It was sad to have to impose such a design masterpiece in bordyur.Interer too shocking - in comparison with the new Civic pales even Citroen C4 vypendrezhny. It's just the cockpit of the spacecraft in the best tradition of the series "Star Trek". Symmetry is observed only in the driver's working area.

Clockwork compacts

Maybe not everything, but U.S. avtoobozrevateli and actually brought to the test-drive cars are 8 dynamic. Together - for comparison in conditions close to the fighting. Interesting cars: Chevrolet Cobalt SS, Dodge Caliber SRT4, Honda Civic Si, Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring, Mini Clubman S, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, Subaru Impreza WRX and Volkswagen Golf GTI (in alphabetical order marks). All 2009 model year and for the most part familiar to the Russian motorists. So who wins? Take a look. Suitable kompaniyaV list includes the "charged" CD - at a price (in U.S.), more or less close to 25 thousand dollars, so to speak, Golf-class - and the number of doors is not less than 3 (excluding the back). So, for example, Mini is presented here as Clubman, and not in the conventional configuration. In general, high-grade sedans and "hatchbacks", but with the winding character. Of these 6 cars with front-wheel drive and 2 (as you might imagine, Lancer Ralliart and Impreza WRX). Almost all under the hood of a 16-row klapannikom - on gasoline, but the flat "oppozitnika» Fuji Heavy EJ255 under the hood "Impreza." Working volume of 1.6 liters (Mini) to 2457 "cubes" in Impreza WRX; a considerable difference. Variation in the maximum power even wider: from 174 forces (of course, Mini) to almost 290 hp at Caliber SRT4. Although SAE «net", but still impressive. img2} img4} Interestingly, the engines 'hot' compacts for the most part work with a supercharged (and the turbo "intercooler").

With red lines

Seventh Accordkompaniya Honda broke the link between generations. The car is no longer perceived as a product of the Japanese auto industry. The new Accord - a strong upward movement to a new level. First and foremost, it concerns the design. In our case, non-Japanese image seventh Accord, may have worked color - bright red, more characteristic of "Italians". And maybe even the fact that the test for us is not got a standard car, and polusportivnaya modification - Type-S. Whatever it was, the work of the Frankfurt design studio Honda should be evaluated very highly. The new Accord is full of elegant styling, which is somewhat unusual for serial production company Honda.On - not the number of respectable "businessmen" like Passat, Vectra or Avensis. Seventh Accord has a sports emphasis, and stands on a par with sedans like the Alfa Romeo 156, Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan and Mazda6.Eto is the case when the machine is equally good shape completely and in detail. Front - a large shield with the chrome trim falshradiatornoy lattice and beautiful, slightly slanted headlights with clear glass - sets a very cheerful, sporty mood. His eagerly supported the sidewall. But the chrome line window slightly does not fit in with the word "sport", but in every sense of the aesthetic function performs brilliantly - the car looks expensive and stylish. But the most liked food. It is original and thus made taking into account the achievements of modern automotive design. For example, highly situated lighting - greetings from Italy, and the rear lights kruglyashi refer to Japanese superkaram.Dva spectacular chrome exhaust pipe and a small inscription Type-S complete the picture.

Ripe!

Headlights, taillights, bumpers - new. Round fog instead of trapezoidal and a couple of bars in the grille instead of one. Alloy wheels show off an updated figure from thin spokes. And in the cabin? Changed the padding. Number of dials on the instrument panel fell from four to three. The buttons control CD-receiver, made at the steering wheel, turned it into a "multirul." Significantly enhanced suite of security. Is finally stabilizing system VSA (Vehicle Stability Assistant), and at once "in the database." Four optional curtain was the company standard front and side airbags. For cars with manual gearbox offered cruise control. As such, the Honda CR-V appeared before the Paris Motor Show visitors in 2004. After just three years after the commencement of the popular SUV has undergone feysliftingu easy, but at the same time - and technical upgrade. In connection mechanism introduced an additional rear cam module, designed to increase the speed and smoothness of the transition to all-wheel drive, and transfer to the rear axle more torque. But the main point the Russians will not be able to evaluate. Even if there was a possibility, still not appreciated to. I'm talking about the magnificent 140-strong turbodiesel Accord 2.2 CDTi of which is guaranteed to provide gains in Europe and we prodazh.Nu to diesel is not mature enough. Fortunately, and gasoline engines with Honda Motor excellent. Such as this, a two-liter with variable valve system i-VTEC and control system of inlet valves VTC.

The fruit of the revolution

Each time, starting to develop a new generation of popular models, car makers have to decide whether to limit the next evolution of slightly updating the appearance and aggregates, or a revolution - until the revision of the concept. Of course, when the model is at its peak popularity in the dramatic changes it makes no sense - they can scare off potential buyers, but sooner or later during the recession of interest, and then left to prepare the revolution, the results of which is difficult to predict. The new 5-door Civic - just such a "radical" product. Low, aggressive "hot hatch" has turned into a kind of mini-Wen with a completely flat floor and the gearbox lever, growing from a central dashboard. I'm sure many fans have expressed their displeasure Civic in connection with the changes, but do not get excited, try to understand better the new Civic proisshedshem.Vneshnost quite controversial and made a fashionable style these days unisex, that is, the machine has no clear male or female traits. Short low hood, huge slanting headlights, massive sidewall, "broken" hard-edge podshtampovkoy have a wonderful property to change the image of the model, depending on color. If the color of light, then come to the fore soft rounded surface, which gives the car femininity, and slanted headlights look childish, but if the color is dark, the eyes immediately apparent hard line and podshtampovki - Civic now aggressive and dynamic, and the expression his "face" - scary-hischnoe.V salon observed no less dramatic changes.

Four quarters of prestige

All-wheel drive premium sedans of the middle class ... If we assume that the recipe for the perfect car for Moscow at all there, they - one of the main contenders. Comfortable and fast, roomy and compact, representative and not noisy. four-wheel drive, where something falls from the sky a half days a year, can not be overemphasized. four of them. And everyone - your approach to how to prepare for this recipe. Weight without massAudi A6 2.8 FSI quattro A6 from behind the wheel is seen most reputable car among the participants in our test. In this case it is also the lightest and most emotionally easy. With that base at Audi shorter than the BMW, the driver does not leave the A6 feel more control long wheelbase car than it actually is. It is quiet, and an updated V6 2.8 liter 220hp. with. does its work almost imperceptibly, like the "machine» Tiptronic, and the running balance between comfort and handling a little biased towards comfort (relative to BMW). However, both figures, whether they are available for measurement, together would give a slightly greater amount than that of its main competitor. Thanks largely to the large amounts of energy suspension, working in the comfort and peace of that to us in Russia it is important to have the chassis, so you can relax and not wait for each of the holes or waves of asphalt that make up the majority of our roads, no hassles. Today, I know only one is as soothing to the car market - Jaguar XF. But he did more and more expensive. In addition, there is no polnoprivodnym.A6 upgraded.

Magic button

For us, Honda Jazz - not news. We "caught" this car three years ago ("Wheels", May 2002), when one of the importers was taking her hondovskih for certification in Moscow. But then something went wrong, not grown together, and the official sale of the car started with a huge delay. Thus, only now Honda has received in Russia, "bottom", formally democratic model - Civic with this role can not cope. Has the Jazz over the years? Not much. Judging by all appearances, he survived the restyling gentle: he has new bumpers, headlights and taillights, and exterior mirror housings appeared "turn signals". But this is purely formal innovations that have not affected the image of the machine. But the inside was actually better, more interesting. Most of all pleased that Jazz is now fully complies obschehondovskim notions about the quality of design and quality finishes. This interior is an "adult" car, but without the propensity for stiffness. Severe mood began to thicken on the multi-steering wheel and instruments optitronnyh, diluted with non-trivial center console vneshnosti.Veseloy and very comfortable - thanks to a large setup button "music" and climate control. Even here there is a nice psevdodzhoystik, which on closer inspection turns out to be just a group of buttons that are responsible for dopfunktsii audio. Beautiful car will not name, but none of the cars built "around the passenger compartment," grace is no different.

The modern legend

There are cars for drivers who are - for the passengers. The first nice run, and the latter provides maximum comfort for those who are driven. To combine in one car and that, and another few people can Sedan Honda Legend, which appeared in 1985, completes the range of the company. The machine was originally designed as a representative for the domestic market, so in the first place was set for the comfort of the inhabitants of the rear seat, the victim had been brought to her driving performance - handling, steering precision, etc. In those days it must have been right - who "rides" on the executive car? The car started to export, and foreign buyers at first accepted it enthusiastically c - excellent reputation has helped motor Honda, won at tracks in Formula 1 1986-1991. Consciousness inhabitants was amazed that a company's image with the manufacturer of mass models can wipe your nose so eminent "athletes" like Ferrari, Renault, Ford and BMW. But this fact has played with it a cruel joke - the buyer, primarily European, subconsciously expect from a car with plate left "H" is not only an excellent engine, but at least a hint of sportiness in behavior. And if the Honda engines have always had everything in order, in terms of "sport" model with Legend was just a matter - it concerned the appearance and ride quality. Worth a little speed as "limousine" ride was replaced by a tangible and strong rocking rolls in the corners. The car obviously did under the Japanese, not European biznesmena.Kompaniya not give up.

Playing for a fall

Two-four, two, four, two and four ... one, four! Most cars have the same in terms of engines, and the engine pulls a series of Tiguan. But it does not make him an outsider. On the contrary: his bi-turbo unit - the latest incarnation of a batch of engineering. Cost-effective atmospheric dynamics against proportionality. Freshness and adaptability against the experience of unification and collaboration transcontinental auto giants. Today, the heroes are trying to compact crossover segment to resist the new Volkswagen Tiguan. Opel Antara 2.4 ILAC SnaruzhiEsli compared with the Opel Antara "soplatformennym brother» Chevrolet Captiva, in the guise of "German" can be seen sporting some notes - sloping roof over (no need, as in Captiva, place third-row seats), more severe features of the body, and in general looks like a car lighter. As part of our test is not able to surprise Antara cutting-edge design: Is that just too close to the rustic Tiguan Opel, it seems solid. But the classical forms without the need for questionable experiments with interior space - seats front and rear abound. VnutriVnutri Opel difficult to confuse with something else - the corporate identity is followed by all the company's products, from baby to big Corsa Antara. Wedge-shaped center console of coarse plastic bears the classic three knob climate, three large vents blowing kruglyashi and well-read information display. Devices designed with a certain aristocratic: Dedicated to the silver ring large scale speedometer and tachometer are not bad in themselves, but, alas, it does not matter combined with restrained style of "techno", which made the rest of interer.Posadka in some darkened location Opel foot site: He raised high, and at the same time, sunk deep.

Your defense

Appearance of these cars is quite allows us to write them into a group of VIP-persons: the aggressive, powerful, full-size SUVs as if created for this purpose. On the face of all three - Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Explorer, - real warriors. And who are they in fact - judge test on the road. And out of those. The exterior of these vehicles allows us to write well in their group of VIP-persons: the aggressive, powerful, full-size SUVs as if created for this purpose. On the face of all three - Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Explorer, - real warriors. And who are they in fact - judge test on the road. And out of those. It can throw against the wall, to drown in the water, stomp your feet, dig into the snow and dig them land. And he knows how to surf the Internet and to cope with the layout of this article. Meet - notebook Panasonic Toughtbook, «extreme machine," ready to work in the toughest conditions. Why write about it in this article? Then, angular forms that computer-terminator so inspired designers Honda, that they decided to play the car, they say, "based on". So a Honda Pilot.Eto the third generation model - the first "pilot" went off the assembly line back in 2003, having survived a couple of years later restyled. But in Russia familiar with these machines is only as active were "gray" dealers and private peregonschiki of America, for which the model was created. That is not enough. The new Honda Pilot has already come to Russia's official: the potential, according to a company in our market in a huge SUV.

Anecdote

Remember, as in the joke: "We met as a German, an American and an Englishman ...". Next may have been improvisation. So we have got almost an anecdote: French, Japanese, and schved ... let's say, sredneevropeets. Using the method of elimination, one can easily understand that sredneevropeytsem, I called the Ford Mondeo. While the nationality of the other three test participants can not be doubted, from the Mondeo is not so simple. Ford was originally an American company. Produce most of the Mondeo in Genk plant in Belgium. A headquarters Ford of Europe (and the Mondeo in the first place focused on Old World) is located in Cologne, Germany. That said, I suggest that at the time you read this article assume Mondeo German. Moreover, as revealed by this test, according to their habits, this sedan is closest to the cars from Germany. For our test we chose four sedan class D in top trim. Two of them (Honda Accord and Citroen C5) appeared in the Russian market recently. As opponents to the newcomers we have taken the most popular Ford Mondeo and trusted veteran Volvo S60. All cars are front-wheel drive, with the exception of Volvo - 2.5t modification is only available with AWD AWD. But the engines - for every taste. In Honda - 2.4 liter atmospheric "quartet", a Citroen - V6, also without charge. Well, Volvo and Ford are equipped with the "corporate" in-line "Five" from the turbine. But despite the variety of designs, the delta at the maximum capacity was only 19 hp - From 190 in Accord forces up to 220 T in Mondeo.

Correct proportion

The Japanese managed to "mix" in the ideal proportions for the city dweller SUV, minivan and passenger car. The result was a Honda CR-V. In our world, valued by narrow specialists and clean lines. It is thought that only doing one thing only, you can achieve it peaks. "This," "true", "hundred percent" - is almost always a compliment. "To be, be the best" and all that. For example, the notorious definition of "parquet SUV" sounds like something contemptuously ... It seems he wanted to off-road, but was only able to on the parquet. In fact, it's not quite true. Otherwise, such a model would not have had such success. Let's try to get a closer look at the example of this category of the new Honda CR-V. KRASAVITsAPredyduschee, first-generation Honda CR-V also can not be called ugly. But times change and tastes with them. When the former model has appeared, the designers have tried to approximate its design to "normal" cars. Now it's time for a new style - a little coarse form a powerful silhouette with a high. In the nature of the new model is dominated by a "healthy aggression." Expressiveness appearance made CR-V is really beautiful and if you want, charming. Of course, every man to his own taste, but it and the competition: Toyota RAV4 and Nissan X-Trail are other interpretations of the same style. However, the new design creates and issues: the massive pillars and a small square windows in the baggage compartment limited survey ago.

Arks

There just are not words invented to confuse the buyer. Here, For example, Chevrolet Captiva - mid-size Sport Utility Vehicle. What sport should do when under the hood of 133 "horses" Or Honda CR-V - a car for every situation and for all occasions. So that's why he became a militant look like this, like is to a duel himself "Hammer"? But in fact both - quiet, comfortable and spacious town shuttles, designed to carry food, stroller, diapers, dad at work, my mother in Megamall, mother in law to the country, the dog on the mating and all that. Terrestrial value. Chevrolet Captiva was the fourth car SUV class from a large family General Motors, whose production is organized in Russia. firstborn was a compact SUV Chevy Niva, then there are new Tahoe and Trailblazer in Kaliningrad. Niche novelty determined with exquisite accuracy - this is the golden mean between large hog "Jeep" and cost-wheel-drive urban "SUV." few of these machines on the market, so demand is sure to be vysokim.Proizvodimaya Svidone in the UK venture Honda CR-V of the third generation is supplied from a different sauce. This is a car-wagon. And it aims to entice their cars are driving toward D-and even C-class. That is why it is somewhat separate from the finish and osnaschennostyu.Odnako difference purely formal. Features are similar, but the true purpose of generally one to one. JACUZZI FULL PRIVODOMSoglasites, a strange name for a car - Captiva . Official - a derivative of Capture ("capture").

To light and do not burn yourself

A year later, I was again driving a Type-R. This car again throws me a call, in response, I continue to try to reach the limit of its capabilities without losing their heads, and simultaneously control the situation. A new battle is no longer in the evening avenues of the capital, and at the famous track "Neva Ring," still hot after the next arrival of machines of class "Super Light". I'm certainly not a professional pilot, but in my hands exactly - or almost exactly - a car that half an hour ago, one after another raced past the grandstands. I was not looking for this meeting: it was inevitable. Do not think its cause of my selfish desire to once more "prohvatit" in schoolroom car. Although, admittedly, this idea is always tempting. Particularly intrusive, it becomes at times when you find yourself in a real race track. "Ring" from the first rotation begins to retrieve the settings of any vehicle defects, elusive in the city. Conversely, the "gray mouse" unexpectedly exhibit here in nature. The experience of "Wheels" - that podtverzhdenie.Nashi way - and my Type-R - again crossed for another reason. Two years after the commencement of the Japanese decided to restyle the family Civic, which has affected and the brightest of its representative. The car received a new "blackout" lights, "crystal" taillights, bumpers, a modified form. In the case of mirrors integrated "turn signals". Interestingly, in Europe, is now available version Civic Sport - 1.6-liter common trehdverka but obveske of Type-R.Glavnoe technical innovation - a lightweight flywheel, which, according to Honda Motor Co., Helped to reduce the acceleration time from zero to 100 km / h as much as two tenths of a second.

Cons powerless

Before the Christmas holidays in our test fleet appeared hatchback Honda Civic. The car has stayed in the box in the summer, staying long, but made a good impression. Now he pozhivet have a few months, and we promise to publish in each issue of the journal report on operation. During the reporting period, the car was slightly less than 1500 kilometers, visits to the service was not. Accordingly, we will share only direct road impressions. Civic with plastic ornaments on the lower perimeter and at 18 dyumovyh wheels simply irresistible! Especially, if pure. All, however, realize that winter in Moscow car cleanliness - the notion of conditional. So about the aesthetics of willy-nilly and forget, one way or another, focus on other things. Besides these things hard on yourself napominayut.Kak the case with the Volvo S60, we complain about the 18-inch wheels with low profile tires. The use of such wheels in winter presents a number of problems caused by the deteriorating condition of roads. In winter there are always (and sometimes suddenly, just one day), large potholes in the pavement with sharp edges. This is a serious danger to vehicles with low profile tires. And if and suspension harsh ... Meanwhile, the Civic is a suspension - sport, really tough. And with the large disks this forces to be constantly on guard - from such pressure ustaesh.Vprochem, jolting stiff suspension has clear advantages, which show up when there is a mood and want to go fast. I must say that the Civic can organize its owner is a mood, and then willingly reveal its best qualities.

Stendhal some

This sports car should be red or black. The red color of blood means drevnevetnamskoy tradition, Love Carrots and speed. Black is - talent, power, hidden reserves and output. There is still yellow, canary, which, presumably, means of torque. But there was no yellow. In any case, Stendhal, singer of red and black, not a word about not configured. For a powerful vehicle to be treated exactly, parallel to it, almost as Stendhal. Balzac and Turgenev's women ladies, do not sigh. It is not for you. "I'll go through this rotation to one hundred and twenty" - I thought to warn the car, beastly "Honda" NSX 1991. It was dry, but I still almost on level ground breaking anything: jump on the crest of the turn, lost his path, has lost momentum. From my thin racing driver, honestly I do. It began to rain. "Flying" stopped "Honda" and "Porsche" went to the pits. Time is money - and run free in the meantime! And then leaves Victor Maslov, a simple lad Surgut, but with good experience in Formula 3000. You it will probably know. What is he thinking, what the wheels were spinning in his head, but the same rotation Maslov was in the rain for a hundred and ten machine called the Mercedes ML 320. You should have seen the amplitude of the rolls and the flight of the slip, "sprung" apparatus in the S-shaped bundle! But Maslov said that you can ride, and a new round he went already for Porsche. BLACK 911YA riding in the rain. By stagnant water and the car was very confident right.

Honda Prelude (1996-2001 years of release)

Highly reliable, but expensive parts. Excellent technical performance, but a controversial appearance. All this - Honda Prelude. Prelude of the last generation model appeared in late 1996, and the excitement in the market did not cause. We met her on clothes, rather, I should say unpresentable. Chopped forms and strange lights - Japanese minimalism in Europe do not understand. In 2001, the production car rolled, and the name of the Prelude was removed from the directory Honda. A pity. Indeed, from a technical point of view, the car was incomparable. Multi-link suspension, the system will "steer" the rear wheels, a clever cross-axle differential, power steering, which changes depending on the characteristics of speed, and most importantly - the letters VTEC on the valve cover. These four letters are: the great fuel economy, and a furious temper, and "honest", naturally aspirated horsepower. Prelude to FORSAZhDvigateley there were only two. The base 2.0-liter capacity 133 hp and the famous 2.2-liter. For true "hondovodov" there is only the latest. It comes in two versions: VTI (185 hp) and VTI-S (200 hp). The "escalator" is different to other engine control unit and the modified power system. Another 2.2-liter engine equipped with a well-known system of variable valve timing VTEC, which for a beginner driver may come as a surprise. "Well, not so conventional motor to accelerate, so pick up at high speed!" - This is the first thing that comes to mind during the trip.