Nissan Almera Classic: The Mystery of Origin
A car produced at the South Korean plant of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, entered the Russian market at the end of April 2006. Gradually, the sedan will replace the basic configuration “Almeria” – Сomfort.
Engine: petrol 1.6 liters (107 hp).
Gearboxes: 5-speed manual, 4-speed “automatic”.
Configuration: PE, PE +, SE.
Price: $ 13,490–18,140.
Test car: 1.6 liter, automatic transmission, SE equipment, $ 18,140.
However, here it is, an invitation for a test drive from the Moscow representative office of the company, and a message about the start of sales. It’s nice that Russian customers have prepared something special – I’m afraid to even guess what it is … Rather, behind the car!
“Almeria” total not measure
Densely parked cars seemed to have parted so that the “Alpine khaki” would play more interestingly under the bright light; grille coquettishly reflected the sunbeam. Bred long nose, noble color, which does not violate the door handles, or moldings, no, God forbid, bumpers. Interesting direction indicators, elegant break trunk lid. And yet under this dress a good friend of “Almere” is guessed.
The press release finally brings clarity: the car is made by the factory in Busan. In this case, I saw him on one of the sites: in South Korea, the car is sold under the brand name “Samsung” belonging to the Renault-Nissan alliance; The model is called SM3.
Doesn’t it remind you of the situation with “Logan”, which is our Renault, and throughout Europe “Dacia”? He, by the way, also opens branded price lists. The marketing ploy inspires respect: “Almeria”, a popular model, but middle-aged, has been made more attractive at no extra cost.
In general, the manufacturer is good, and the buyer is satisfied: the prices of “Olmera”, which is sold only in Russia, start at 13.5 thousand dollars. This is 2.5 thousand less than the outgoing performance of “Comfort” (expensive “Lux” remains in service). True, the most affordable “Nissan Almera Classic” can not boast of any air conditioning or a second airbag, but it has a presentable appearance, an extra 100 cubes of working volume and South Korean origin. Yes, the last, in my opinion, indisputable advantage, especially since the company in Busan is called one of the most advanced in the alliance.
With such thoughts, I translate the “automaton” selector to position D and roll out onto the embankment, feeling if not for a million dollars, then certainly more than 18 thousand, which costs a richly packed test car. Got the same bait – painted pens, shine chrome …
Especial become
A massive car should not surprise, but just drive and carry people. With the first, everything is in order, but with the second, the Almery Classic has some problems. It, as if the anthropological benefit, confirms that the Japanese and Koreans are not high on average. The driver above 180 cm will want to lower the seat, raise the steering wheel, reject the head restraint; and since this is impossible, it is better … to transfer to the right front seat – in any other place it will be even worse. By today’s standards, the interior is cramped, the latest generations of C-class cars are much more spacious.
In the city traffic “Almera” was not surprised, except that I had to get used to the monumental hood. But I was pleased at the parking lot – and with a small turning radius, and a light steering wheel, which makes a little less than three turns from lock to stop.
Jumping on the highway near Moscow, I myself did not notice how I began to hum, “and terribly easy running.” Well, how not to remake the classics of the genre, when this “Classic”, with the gift of being with an “automatic”, is easily gaining 120 and 130 km / h and asks you to accelerate further! But here the smooth asphalt is replaced by concrete slabs – a small tremor pierces the “Almer”. The feeling is rather unpleasant, the suspenders carefully convey the shot from the wheels to the body. However, at city speeds, the situation is straightened, the car is just stiff.
But in the turn I felt driving the “Nissan Almera Classic” quite confidently, adding time after time, at the request of the photographer, speed, and after a turn, setting off the car. I hope on low-cost versions without ABS brakes will work just as well.
It always seemed to me that creating high-quality consumer goods is a kind of art. “Nissan” owns it to the full: “Almera” does not shine with refined appearance or surprising driving performance, it simply performs the transport function, and this is its most prominent feature. And Klassika has one more: there is no such “Nissan” anywhere in the world except Russia. Even an ordinary user of consumer goods is sometimes important to be different.
NISSAN ALMERA CLASSIC – AN INTERESTING SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM OF THE AGING OF THE BASIC MODEL AND A QUICK PROPOSAL ON THE MARKET: ITS PRICE IF IT DOESN’T INCLUDE, AND DON’T DISAPPEAR.
+ Good dynamics, excellent brakes for the ABS version, commendable maneuverability, let’s say 92nd gasoline.
– Close landing, low cabin, untransformable trunk.
For the same money
