Work on mistakes
The Japanese brought the “Russian” Almera for a long time, carefully tuned the suspension, winding tens of thousands of kilometers at the Sosnovka training ground. And of course, they heroically overcame difficulties with putting on the conveyor, despite the fact that by that time AvtoVAZ had been producing the platform Largus for a year. There were special problems with the quality of painting: the perfectionism of Nissan even forced them to abandon the first copies produced and make changes to the technology.
And not to say that Almera has become a model of perfection: it was finalized in detail after the official start of production, as almost all new models are being finalized. In particular, the Japanese "pierced" with the design of the front brake hoses (they were heavily stretched with the wheels completely turned out) and they were changed for free during scheduled maintenance.
In 2014, the Nissan Almera received a few changes, not so significant to talk about restyling, but still important. Most importantly, from now on, the sedan is equipped with a rear seat with a reclining backrest, in the proportion of 40/60 (in all trim levels, except for the initial Welcome). Pockets appeared in the backs of the front seats. And one more nice little thing: cars with alloy wheels no longer require a second set of bolts for the spare wheel on the “stamping”.
Great swim
Nissan decided to present the updated Almera to the general public through a long run from Tolyatti to Sochi, which is taking place these days and will end on August 15th. We took part in the Bashkir stage of the run - in Ufa.
Subjectively, the driving character of the car has not changed. It's still a car with phenomenal energy-intensity suspension and surprisingly modest body roll. Renault Logan is usually taken as a starting point when assessing the adaptability of the suspension for bad roads. So, if the Logan suspension is a conditional “unit”, then the Almera suspension is not lower than 1.2! Logan is still more prone to buildup, and the “Japanese” suspension is slightly preloaded, which gives better handling due to less redistribution of mass in corners.
The extended base also went for the good: in addition to the obvious increase in space for rear passengers, Almera demonstrates a smooth ride unattainable for Logan. It is less "fidgety", it is easier to let it skid. But in regular driving modes it retains amazing stability. Its dynamic corridor (the ability to stay on a given trajectory without additional steering) is stable up to 160 km / h, and only after exceeding this threshold is there a slight "swimming". On one of the long descents, I managed to accelerate the car to 200 km / h on the speedometer (never repeat this experiment on public roads!). So, at this speed, the standard lane width is no longer enough for the car, it has to be constantly “caught” by corrective steering movements. And all sorts of potholes do not knock the sedan off course, it does not rearrange it even on very significant irregularities.
The brakes could be more efficient. In city traffic, they are quite enough, but when emergency braking from maximum speed, the level of deceleration can be scary. But let's pay tribute to the directional stability during braking: the Japanese set up the distribution of braking forces so finely that even on a non-uniform surface, Almera does not go beyond the corridor set by the driver by a centimeter.
Pros…
The concept of the Nissan Almera is practicality taken to the extreme. A chic trunk (500 liters, 20 liters more than the Lada Granta), a lot of space for rear passengers, a suspension adapted for bad and even very bad roads. The rear overhang is too big (913 mm), but this is not a crossover, although a sedan with an honest 160 mm of ground clearance in terms of cross-country ability will not yield to other front-wheel drive SUVs.
The advantages of the car, perhaps, include the simplicity of design. Here they left the classic power steering, a mechanical throttle actuator. Even VAZ cars have already switched to electric boosters and electronic gas pedals! The sixteen-valve K4M engine (also made at AvtoVAZ) is unpretentious and easy to maintain, and more importantly, it has enough traction for the not-so-lightest Almera body.
…and cons
In the passive - not the most comfortable fit for the driver, excessively high and without the ability to adjust the steering wheel for reach. And of course, the DP2 automatic transmission, with which the car drives emphatically phlegmatic and noisy. If you believe the reviews on the forum of the owners of Russian Almera, this “machine” indecently often fails due to overheating.
These same owners still express concerns about the front brake hoses: even after changing to longer ones (by 9 mm), they continue to stretch. In addition, the hoses are laid so that in the “free state” they come into contact with the front subframe. But at the Nissan dealership, we were assured that not a single case of separation or even chafing of the brake hose was recorded. Nevertheless, the inspection of the brake hoses is mandatory during the maintenance of the car, and if there is the slightest defect, this element is replaced by the dealer under warranty.
Finally, there are problems with the reliability of the rear shock absorbers due to excessive compression travel, as well as silent blocks. We hope that Nissan will solve them as part of the next upgrade.
At the same time, even now it is a sin for the Japanese to complain about the attention of consumers: Almera sales are gaining momentum. In the first half of the year, this model became one of the best-selling in Russia (8th place). Moreover, it is not so much the data in absolute terms (25,139 sold cars) that is striking, but the dynamics of growth in popularity: 756% compared to last year! Of course, the “low base” effect affects this: car sales started only in April 2013, and besides, in the first six months, AVTOVAZ could not provide the required volume. Now everything has “settled down”, production has reached the planned level, there are practically no queues for Almera.
And here is the time for the VAZ to treat the "Japanese" with respect.
Today in our review of Nissan Almera 2017 in a new body. Let's see how it will show itself in comparison with its predecessors.
Nissan Almera has been with us since 2013 and, in fact, is the largest car in class B. From nose to tail, it is almost 4.7 m. This is truly a record figure. Even cars gravitating towards class D, for example, like the Skoda Octavia, this figure is about the same. That is, we are waiting for unprecedented comfort, at least along the length of the car.
Let's check these assumptions right now. We open the door, landing in the back seat is easy, the door is long. Indeed, the placement, as if not even in a class D car, but, most likely, even E. Even the rear passenger with high growth will be comfortable to ride, since he will not touch the front back with his knees, which in this case is really a big plus. If two such people are planted one after the other, then it will be convenient for both. In this case, the dimensions of the car are fully justified.
In terms of width, the indicators are not so outstanding. The reason for this is the use of the B0 “trolley”, which underlies the Renault Logan, Sandero and, of course, limits the width. A little less than 1.7 m, so the figure is not a record.
Trunk
The continuation of the length is the trunk. Here everything is still on the level. The only thing is that you have to open it either with a key or a lever in the cabin. Unfortunately, this cannot be done from the keychain. Trunk volume 500 l. On the sides there are convenient niches for anti-freeze, for example, and under the floor there is a full-size spare wheel, however, 15 diameters.
Pleased with the neat execution of the upholstery - everything is covered, there is no bare metal, and the tongue of the lid closes. Obviously, that huge, tidy trunk and plenty of rear space make it ideal for carrying passengers.
Specifications
Under the hood, the only possible engine is known by the Renault-Nissan number - 102 horsepower, 16 valves, 4 cylinders and, of course, gasoline. Both manual and automatic are possible. The same set of units can be found both on Logan and Sandero, as well as on other models of the concern. It weighs about 1200 kg, on the verge of moving confidently and driving slowly.
The engine features a familiar throttle drive.
Here, a direct connection between the gas pedal and the throttle, which provides a reliable response, of course, is less economical and environmentally friendly, but a well-deserved unit. A typical way to fill a washer tank.
There was no place for daytime running lights in these huge headlights. It's disappointing, because those Nissan grooves could have accommodated them. The rest of the exterior repeats the Renault Logan. The same independent suspension, discs in front, drums in the back.
Steering wheel and dashboard
The interior, unlike the size, does not represent any revelations. We see, by and large, Renault Logan, the dashboard from it, the layout of the front panel from it too, the lower climate control unit, which you have to reach for, again, like on Logan.
Starting from the steering wheel and ending with the switch, a specific duct located on the switch gives out the progenitor in terms of the main materials and means used in the 2017 Nissan Almera - this is Renault Logan, aka Sandero, depending on the type of body. In this case, we really got an elongated body, but the cabin clearly shows that it was Renault Logan that initiated the creation, that is, this long-wheelbase version was created from it.
The main difference between the new Nissan Almera in a positive way from the same Logan is the mirrors, which are magnificent here due to their large size. Despite the absence of any electronic assistance to control the dead zones, everything is great in the car. The review is excellent, and even despite the fact that there are lovers to look into the central mirror. The mirrors on the sides fully indicate that you can throw out the central one at all, with such “burdocks” in the city and when parking, you feel perfect. This is a big plus! For these mirrors, the car is even worth falling in love with.
The review involves a car with the richest equipment, but besides bluetooth, there is nothing of the newfangled chips here: no light sensor, no rain, no traction control.
By and large, the car is devoid of those innovations that already exist even on the same, for example, Lada Vesta.
Anyone who wants to open a window will make sure that there are no power windows. In fact, they are located elsewhere on the center console, the left and right buttons.
Recon device with an undeveloped on-board computer, which does not even have an ambient temperature sensor, but everything is well readable. The multimedia system is top-end, in addition to CD, there is Bluetooth, so there will be no difficulties with modern music. As for the sound, it is average. If you are a music lover, you will have to replace.
Under the multimedia complex, which is convenient to manage, is located:
- power window control units
- alarm system
- glass heating
- interior locks
The climate control unit is located very inconveniently, since the gearshift control lever completely blocks it and you have to twist your hand to get there. There is a convenient shelf for the phone. True, you will have to beat it with soft material so that it does not rattle there.
In the Nissan Almera 2017, the pedals are widely spaced, there will be no difficulty in pressing them. Recall that this is the most expensive Tekna equipment, where there is no armrest, you will have to buy it separately. The parking brake lever is conventional, but right there on the center console there is an electric control of large mirrors. It seems strange that the controls from the usual door cards are assigned to a variety of places. Fantastic ergonomics.
Landing in front
The seats are soft and after a while because of this you start to get tired all the same. Minimum adjustments, only inclination of the backrest and longitudinal.
This car is clearly not for long trips.
Of course, the seat is not ideal. But you need to keep in mind that the car, although large, is affordable. Do not expect expensive materials in it.
Otherwise, you can get behind the wheel quite comfortably. The steering wheel is adjustable only in height and horizontally, there is no adjustment for reach, however, you can take a position.
Rear landing
The new Almera is primarily a car for rear passengers. It's even some limousine in class B. There are no problems with height, although the body is streamlined. No problems with knees. Those who will ride the Almere in the back seat will feel the softness of the sofa and will easily spend the necessary time for the trip here.
With this long wheelbase, there are no levels of comfort for rear passengers, even power windows, as they say, “on the oars”. There is no central armrest, which suggests that the car is for transportation, but without even the usual comfort. The back is comfortable and you can sit without hesitation, no matter how tall the passenger is. The width does not offer much space, but the two are comfortable.
Go
We take the usual gear lever with large moves and backlash and start a test drive. The new Almera does not have expensive electronic systems. An active driver will like it, as you can easily move along snow bumps, ruts, but you need to be ready for correction, the car will not do anything for you, except for ABC. The long base allows it to be very stable, so it will be easy to level on difficult surfaces.
Even when accelerating, the increased weight absolutely does not beg for opportunity.
Short main pair, because of this, a close gear. You can immediately turn on the 5th from 40 km / h at idle, despite this engine, which is riding 6500 before estrus, it still moves confidently. There will be some difficulties on the highway, because so many km per hour is 3000 rpm. The rest of the ride is easy, with a soft seat smoothing out bumps instead of suspension. As you know, the suspension of the Renault-Nissan concern is harsh for budget cars. For those who like to drive fast, the Almera is probably not suitable. The only reason is the engine.
First of all, the new Almera is a city car. There are no daytime running lights, I want to blame her for this, just because the design is not the most modern, the car has long been known. On the 3rd in the city, the driver will feel great. Even on the track, you can go to the 5th, because the 4th will give an even greater tide, then the engine will end.
Given the short main pair, I'm not surprised why they made it.
The 16-valve on the bottom doesn't have enough traction, so to make it easier to move off, it was properly shortened. Just for urban use, so that in traffic jams a person does not feel disadvantaged. This is solved by an automatic transmission, it is offered, but there will be losses both in dynamics and in other parameters.
The brakes repeat the same B0 platform, there is no need to wait for a revelation, but braking, as always, is reliable.
If you check the steering wheel when cornering, it is rather tight, which is typical for Renault-Nissan in the budget price category, but at the same time it obeys perfectly.
Conclusion
What is Nissan Almera? First of all, this car is already built on a well-known platform, but adapted for the transport of goods and luggage. The undisputed leader in size in the class externally. Thanks to the appearance, chrome parts, it seems that it is really a class above. The space behind is unprecedented, but there is austerity. The interior is simple, there are no electronic systems and comfort systems, there is heated seats, which is good for our climate.
An ideal choice for those who want to carry their passengers in comfort and be chosen to travel again.
For example, for corporate parks, for companies that are engaged in the transportation of passengers. Such an Almera arrives, all beautiful and shiny, and the person is glad that he was given due attention. The rest who love family will also do. The ground clearance is large, the suspension is laborious, these advantages are known from Logan, in a new spacious body. Look at the price - in front of you is a balanced offer.
Video
You can watch the full video review and test drive Nissan Almera 2017 below
At the end of 2012, production of the Nissan Almera sedan began in Russia specifically for the domestic market. As conceived by the authors from the Renault-Nissan coalition, this car was to become a modern example of an accessible, practical and inexpensive “foreigner” with a popular body type in our country. The concept united the "rethought" shell of the second generation Nissan Bluebird Sylphy (2005-2012) with the technical stuffing of Renault of the B0 platform, on which the unpretentious Logan and Duster are made. It seemed that "hybrid" engineering at this level would certainly lead to a decent competitive result. Over the period that has passed since then, one can give some estimates to this project, besides, the site acquired such a model from the first batch for a long test, and this copy happened to survive some “childhood illnesses”.
Nissan Almera "lived" in the site's fleet for exactly two years. Passed 85,000 km: the car was bought in Tolyatti, operated in Moscow, Vladivostok, Novosibirsk and Irkutsk, visited Estonia, Crimea and Mongolia (twice). The machine has been fully studied - both in terms of consumer qualities and in terms of reliability. It's time to find her a new owner.
Almera's winter testing program was nearly thwarted: the planned run on the ice (Baikal) had to be canceled due to the warm winter and, accordingly, the danger of drowning the car. The way out is to pass with a breeze on the ice of the Mongolian lake Khubsugul, since the occasion presented itself: a visit to the ethnographic ice festival.
If our Nissan Almera was operated and maintained by bores acting strictly according to the instructions, the blog could be closed: there is nothing to write about. Under refined conditions, Nissan Almera is too budgetary, reliable and, as a result, boring car to be interesting to talk about it in a blog. But the "human factor", or rather, just life, throws us new and new stories.
In Siberia, the disaster is winter, but there is no frost. People sigh sadly - an "anomaly", dogs arrange weddings ahead of schedule, and cats yell like a spring. Baikal, contrary to age-old observations, was only half covered with ice. Anguish and disruption of the life cycle. To restore the natural course of events, we boarded in Almera and went to look for the first Baikal ice.
Well, brother, is the car rushing? - Rushing, rushing, if it's good to fire it up. This typical dialogue at the crossroads, waiting for the green light, is the essence of the driving ambitions of the Nissan Almera 1.6 Tekna, which has covered 4,000 km from Novosibirsk to Ulaanbaatar and back to Irkutsk over the past two weeks. This exaggerated, overweight and melancholic, at first glance, car allows you to confidently wind kilometers of a long road, if you are tough, almost cruel to it. Translated from high-flown to simple driver's: turn the engine to the maximum, switch to an increased one by 4000-5000 (or even higher) revolutions. And spit on the low throat tear of the motor - this is his favorite song. It is at high speeds that the Almera becomes a solid, well-knit and muscular car, because in the usual mode of 2000-3000 rpm it is a typical budget “pensioner drive car”: slow, sleepy and annoying on the road.
Those who found themselves in Soviet times remember well that the now-familiar division into car classes did not exist then: Zhiguli, Volga, Moskvich, roughly speaking, and all the “classes”! Now, having opened the borders and tasted all the world's diversity, we began to understand well what a "crossover", "cabriolet" or "coupe" is, and also that our Oka belonged to the "A" or "SuperMini" segment according to the European classification. Moreover, classes have appeared that unite cars according to similar price and body positioning. So, for example, in Russia, "state employees" appeared and became very popular - numerous compact sedans, cheaper than which are only "Chinese" or Togliatti Lada. Today we will talk about these “budget” cars in the largest test in the history of Droma. So, we start "Holivar" ...
It is enough to take a quick look into the native Russian transport thicket to understand that today budget sedans are among the leaders in sales among new cars. From this spring, “in their regiment”, at least one “fighter” will become more: on the podium among all sorts of Polo, Rio, Aveo, Solarisand other Logans, a new star will appear - Nissan Almera.
True, the new model will have nothing in common with its predecessors. Almera Classic, which was sold under the Samsung brand in the Korean homeland, belongs to the “C” class. The last copies of the obsolete model rolled off the assembly line in November last year, and dealers will be selling off the rest for several more months ...
But the new Almera is positioned differently: despite the fact that it is 146 mm longer and 82 mm higher than the "precursor", Nissan recorded it in the "B +" segment. That is, the sedan turned out to be larger in size, much cooler in terms of volume and spaciousness, but it went down in the ranking table. Marketing rules the world! Mda-ah-ah-ah...
Almera was designed in the British engineering center of a Japanese company in close cooperation with Renault engineers. Alliance Child! Where today without mergers? It was developed specifically for the Russian market, and will be produced here. Where exactly? Yes, yes, in a place where "hands do not grow from there" - in Togliatti, in the same place as the soplatform Lada Largus.
Ergonomics and interior of the Nissan Almera is the flesh of the Renault Logan. All the "sick" places are exactly the same as the "Frenchman". Vertical driver's seat is not conducive to long journeys to the "long distance", unpretentious seats are not so hot as they are kept in corners, thanks even though the steering column is adjustable in height!
The old familiar B0 platform is taken as the basis, on which Renault / Dacia Logan, Sandero, Duster and the already mentioned Largus are built. Meat, bones - the main elements of the power structure, engine, transmission, suspension, electrical and electronics - everything is borrowed from the French. And in appearance you can’t tell about such close family ties! A long base, a sloping roof, an elongated silhouette with a trunk that protrudes far back ... Doesn't it remind you of anything? Certainly! Teana. Kinship is guessed in the details. Headlights with protrusions characteristic of the latest Nissans, radiator grill, window geometry, reliefs. There would be more wheels - from fifty meters from the flagship sedan, the novelty would simply not be distinguished! Especially in a dark suit.
However, big wheels, expensive "casting" and a low profile are useless here. Nissan, with its Almera, aims mainly at the regional buyer - according to the forecasts of the Russian representative office of the company, about 70% of all sales will fall on the regions. And we know what kind of roads we have. The main thing here is not to throw dust in the eyes, but to survive on potholes. The priority is simplicity, unpretentiousness, normal clearance, spaciousness and affordable maintenance.
How does Almera behave on the road? On smooth asphalt, which on the roads near Yaroslavl and Uglich with a gulkin nose, the sedan does not shine with aristocratic manners. Steering responses are calm, and now they are further blunted by the non-studded Nokian Hakapeliitta R winter studs fitted to the test cars. But the steering gear is wonderfully informative, the calibrations of the hydraulic booster are magnificent - you literally feel the microrelief and frictional properties of the surfaces on which you move, literally with your fingertips! I recognize Logan!
The design of the undercarriage, as they say, "is nowhere simpler." The front is a regular MacPherson strut, the rear is a semi-independent beam. And what else do you need to move along rollicking lanes? Manner and multilinks on broken asphalt patches are excesses from the world of dudes and aesthetes. But the simple "bones" of Almeria are the most "that".
The soft omnivorous suspension, which has huge moves, is ready to leave unnoticed, it seems, irregularities of any size. Patches, dips, threatening potholes with sharp edges ... At first, when forcing all these asphalt beauties, you want to jump in the driver's seat and pull the steering wheel with roots to hell along with the column, rack and rods (cyclists will understand, like no one else, they have this worked out with of small years, a “jerk at themselves”, works when they approach a large pit, stone or curb threatening to fall) ... But Almere, at least henna, rushes not to choke, and the vibroacoustics here are at a level better than in the same Renault Logan and Sandero. Having got used a little to energy intensity, you start to force obstacles at once. And it's very relaxing. And how does she keep the course! It seems that nothing can knock Almera off the trajectory. By the way, I liked the version with a manual transmission on the go more, it has a slightly stiffer suspension, which copes much better with longitudinal buildup and rolls, all this only has a positive effect on handling!
Run, push! Jumps of this kind can only be recorded by witnesses of the fall. Those who are inside do not feel either the moment of separation or the moment of landing. Thanks to the verified kinematics of the long-stroke and energy-intensive suspension, Almera rushes like clockwork both on straight lines and in turns on roads of any quality
Overhangs, of course, cannot be called short, and bumpers completely painted in body color make you twitch about their integrity and safety, but 160 mm of ground clearance in any situation contributes to confident forcing of snowdrifts and off-road. And without the 1.5 mm steel crankcase, installed in the "base", in the Yaroslavl ice ruts, I would feel like a hockey goalie without a "shell".
The renoshny 1.6-liter 102-horsepower sixteen-valve engine managed to establish itself as very reliable and unpretentious. The thrust is even throughout the entire rev range, a bit noisy, however, but here it's more about soundproofing ...
The volume of the washer reservoir is five liters. Unlike the same Logan, where the tank is a little more than three liters, in slushy weather it will be necessary to add a “washer” less frequently. But pouring "anti-freeze" is inconvenient, the narrow neck is located at the engine shield at a considerable distance from the starboard side of the car. As long as you can reach it and deal with the obstinate self-closing lid (you always need to hold it), you can stain your clothes. Pay attention to the sound insulation on the inside of the hood, this is not typical for such a budget car
What is the expense? An automatic transmission and winter tires in cold weather make it necessary to spend 11.5-11.7 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers in the urban cycle. Too much by today's standards. Outside the city in the "economy mode" I got about eight, and even then, when the speed was in the range of 90-110 km / h. It’s good that the engine is omnivorous, you can save money by switching Almera to a diet using “92nd” gasoline ... However, with a manual gearbox, the consumption is somewhat lower.
- Signal button, as in Renault, at the end of the light control lever. When, finally, this decision will sink into oblivion? When a driver changes from one car to another, any “non-standard”, especially one that concerns safety, can play a cruel joke at the most inopportune moment, while other road users automatically become hostages of the situation. Why doesn’t it occur to anyone between times to swap the gas and brake pedals or organize a mirror shift scheme?
- The airflow controls located on the center console are out of hand. One must think that electric windows in a car for such a price should be perceived as a high boon. However, their location on the center console is unusual and inconvenient for the average driver. For savings on wiring, we pay with our safety. It will not be possible to promptly lower misted or frosted glass in front of a busy intersection. The axis of the mirror adjustment knob intersects with the axis of the "handbrake" - inconvenient.
- The efficiency of the heater is reduced by non-optimal distribution of air flows. In extreme cold, even if you let the maximum of hot air down, your feet still get cold. With the blowing of the side windows - a complete order (you can direct a jet at them), but the wind deflector of the “windshield” is not “wide” enough
The ancient simple torque converter "automatic" AL4 (it, like the engine, comes from Spain) has a "winter" mode and even allows you to shift gears manually with a selector. Valuable because this feature allows you to prepare for overtaking and forcibly drop a couple of gears down. By the way, in the upper stages, being in manual mode, the box will switch on its own as soon as the engine reaches the cutoff. And this is right - to hang on the "limiter" on the "oncoming lane" when overtaking a truck is a pleasure below average.
Engineers say that the calibration of the Almera power unit has received its ... Maybe this applies to production cars? On our samples from the pre-production batch, the electronics, as well as on Logans, get confused in gears from time to time. You stomp at 50 km / h on the accelerator, the “automatic” thinks for a while, pokes the “third”, then again loses consciousness and only after a nod from the plug, recovering consciousness, throws up the second ... Hooray! Now you can accelerate! But, damn it, I don’t need it anymore, the train has left ...
- The driver's seat has a height adjustment in the middle and higher trim levels, the backrest adjustment nuts are facing the central tunnel - a convenient and practical solution! Seat heating is effective, although it does not have intensity adjustment, and its buttons are hidden in the “blind” zone, they are located on the base of the seats on the door side.
- The base of the Nissan Almera is 70 mm longer than that of the Renault Logan. Behind the seat is a wagon and a small cart. People of average height on the back sofa can already sit with their legs crossed. The author of the article, who is 190 centimeters tall, after he sat down “by himself”, had a couple of tens of centimeters between his knees and the back of the front seat!
For retired driving, such an algorithm can and will do ... But for me it’s better with “mechanics”. By the way, it allows you to accelerate up to 100 km / h as much as 1.8 seconds faster! Spurt from zero to the coveted "hundreds" of the version with a manual takes 10.9 seconds! The "short" main pair and close row contribute to a very dynamic movement in space. So something, but when starting from a traffic light and in the stream, you definitely won’t be the last one! True, you will have to wield the gear lever (the drive of which did not differ in clarity on pre-production samples) quite often.
However, this does not prevent the Nissan Almera from acting as a good family car for bad roads. Its main trump cards are a comfortable chassis, informative steering, excellent weight distribution that provides neutral steering, which allows you to feel safe during extreme maneuvers, considerable ground clearance and spaciousness. But the weather is somewhat spoiled by the ergonomics of the driver’s seat, which does not allow you to comfortably spend long hours behind the wheel during long trips, “miscalculations” and inconvenience in controlling the “climate”, airflow, power windows, electric mirrors, heated seats. Yes, and the power unit, although time-tested, is archaic and voracious.
The new Almera will be presented in three trim levels. The simplest Welcome with a manual transmission costs 429,000 rubles. Comfort, which already has fog lights, heated seats, height adjustment of the driver's seat, a rear central head restraint, body-colored mirrors with electric and heated mirrors, will cost 453,000 rubles. For the "automatic" and air conditioning, you will have to pay another 51,000 "wooden". But the top version of Tekna with power windows and a multimedia system will cost 535,000 rubles with a manual transmission and 565,000 rubles for the version with an “automatic”.
A 105-horsepower Volkswagen Polo Sedan in the basic version of Trendline 1.6 MT5 will cost 449,900 rubles, the version with automatic transmission already costs 576,800. 519,900. Its Korean twin brother Hyundai Solaris with similar power units is 445,000 and 480,000 rubles for versions with “manual” and “automatic” gearboxes, respectively. Prices for the Chevrolet Aveo start at 454,000 rubles for a "mechanical" 115-horsepower model. A variation with a torque converter "automatic" will cost 530 "wooden". And, finally, the platform Renault Logan Expression with a 1.6 engine (102 hp) and a manual transmission will cost 424 "thousands", in order to get a Logan "automatic" the buyer will have to fork out half a million rubles. So, Almera looks quite worthy against the background of rivals! It seems to me that the low cost and the combination of qualities valuable for the regions will not prevent Almere from dispersing throughout the country with the planned annual circulation of thirty thousand.
Vitaly Kabyshev
Photo: Vitaly Kabyshev and Nissan
The idea of creating a brand and releasing a car is a time period during which the car market continues to exist and changes with the release of new products from competitors, and the shorter it is, the more excitement it produces. If Nissan Almera had been assembled by 2008, then its entry into the market would have been marked by an incomparably greater profit for the manufacturer. If from 2008 the Nissan-Renaul alliance gained access to production, then from 2010 the production of Almera in Togliatti and Solaris in St. Petersburg would take place simultaneously, and one can still argue which of the brands would be the winner. Consider a test drive of the Nissan Almera Classic, what is the Nissan Almera worth in the present tense, without exaggeration and the subjunctive mood.
When such a unique case falls out as a test drive of the Nissan Almera, a model that has been on the market for several years, why not mention its history. In 2005, sales of a car called the Nissan Bluebird Sylphy began in Japan, and since 2006 the Chinese began to produce it under the name Sylphy; 2011 is the year the car arrived at the Volga plant.
Launching the assembly of the Nissan Almera for Russia was not easy, given how the model was adjusted to the vicissitudes of Russian production. The start of sales, scheduled for the second half of 2012, was postponed to January 2013, and then again and again ... As a result of the tests passed, stable deliveries to dealers improved only by the fall of 2013.
As soon as Almera confidently climbed to its well-deserved place in the sales ranking, complaints began to come in about overheating of the DP2 automatic transmission and a discrepancy in the length of the brake hoses. The manufacturer was forced to work on a design error by lengthening the hoses. But the issue of the functionality of the rear shock absorbers due to the excessive rebound travel and limited mileage of silent blocks was not resolved.
Frankly, all sorts of dubious complaints did not improve the rating, but the lost reputation is a serious factor. But no matter what they say, in 2014 Almera enters the top ten popular cars, remaining in eighth place on the honorary list and with 46,225 cars that went into the possession of happy owners. Almera was able to bypass Renault Sandero, Skoda Octavia and other brands, and no more than a thousand units separate it from the celebrity title in the regions of Lada Priora.
In 2015, the crisis of the car's potential is not enough to stay on the saved positions. Almera drops to 15th place. Perhaps, if we consider a test drive of the Nissan Almera Classic, we will be able to understand what does not fit into the logic of historical transformations and why it happened.
Impression starts with appearance. Of course, if the design of the model was in development for over a decade, one should not expect supernatural effects. On the contrary, an excess of brightness, audacity, extravagance could even harm a model oriented towards massiveness. In this regard, the appearance of the Nissan Almera is beyond reproach. Harmony, solidity, solidity - this is exactly how the buyer imagined it, demanding on the exterior and not devoid of practicality.
Chrome-plated surfaces of the radiator, door handles, bumpers to match the body, stylish side mirrors, light alloy wheels - add respectability to the model. I must say, these wheels are included in the Comfort + and Tekna kits, but black mirrors and door handles can only be found in the initial version of Welcome.
Almera is sold only as a sedan, and in Russia sedans are more honorable than hatchbacks. Regarding such nuances as puffiness of the rear view, there are no complaints. Designers agree that the Nissan Almera finds preference not among young people, but among people of mature age, for whom status is more important than brightness. But even more important will be how a potential buyer evaluates the inside.
Luckily for me, the test drive of the Nissan Almera was remembered for the outstanding freedom of the rear seats. Inside, the Nissan Almera is remarkably comfortable. Almera is officially in the B+ segment, but its “gallery” is more voluminous than many E-segment sedans! A driver with a height of 180 cm or more feels free. You can ride with your legs crossed. Sitting in the back seat, you will find that the knees are separated by 15 cm from the front seats.
The owner of the car will be amazed that the puffy stern is not a design error at all, it is compensation for the trunk volume of 500 liters. The figure is impressive, although not the highest. Quite a decent, voluminous class trunk. Priora trunk - 430 liters, the latest version of LadaVesta - 480 liters, leading sales Kia Rio and Hyundai Solaris have trunks up to 500 liters, Datsun On-Do - 530 liters, Lada Granta - 520 liters, Renault Logan - 510 liters, five-seater Lada Largus - 560 l.
A person weighing under a hundred kilograms can comfortably fit in the trunk without moving the rear seat. The Almera trunk is universal for transportation: be it bags of vegetables, disassembled furniture, a pram, skis, a frame for outbuildings, and other types of cargo. It is this trunk that is indispensable for transporting people (after all, there are plenty of extra cases, like filming a movie with a story about the export of secret cargo).
The inside of the trunk lid is equipped with a miniature handle that is comfortable to grip. Therefore, if you have to close the trunk, your hands will remain clean. It would seem that for a trifle - but still nice ... But the user will like the uneasy voluminous trunk, and not the comfortable use of the lock - but the fact that you can open it with a key and with the help of a lever located on the floor. And here Almera has no equal. But this is where the positive characteristics of the interior of the Nissan Almera end.
Definitions that would best fit the interior of the Nissan Almera - restraint, inexpressiveness, gloom, despondency. Such associations are caused by fabric finishing. The plastic of the panels is hard, unsightly, a test drive of the Nissan Almera provides an excellent opportunity to compare it to the touch with the high-quality and expensive plastic of VAZ cars (eights, nines, ten)!
The rest of the details are also not particularly encouraging. Instruments leave much to be desired. Orange backlight, no doubt, someone to taste. Radio tape recorder - two-din, no display, CD player and AUX input; impressions against the background of the Comfort + version that only Tekna can distinguish itself with a Nissan Connect media center with navigation. The steering wheel is a fork into three branches, harsh, one cannot say that it is “grasping”. No control options on the steering wheel, even a hint of them, albeit on the top version. Steering wheel heating is mandatory in Russia, including economy class cars, but in our case, a test drive of the Nissan Almera Classic refutes all illusions about this. Power windows on the front doors should be automatic, but only work with the push of a button.
The front seats are heated, among other things. At first it seemed that there was no heating, and it was indicated to raise the image of the model. After a while, it became clear: the switches were built into the bases of the seats - located between the seat cushion and the door in a narrow gap. You have to pay for all this comfort 573 thousand, sometimes more ... But it is advisable to discuss the cost closer to the end of testing, we'll talk about it later. If you characterize Almera from the inside, then associations with a fairly spacious, but rustic furnished apartment in a new panel building come to mind.
Let's discuss what the car is like while driving. Suddenly, these advantages of her will be above all expectations, compensating for the shortcomings. How the driver feels behind the wheel, a test drive of the Nissan Almera, the video will provide an opportunity to capture all the accompanying nuances of his mood. I sit down for comfortable pedal control - my hands turned out to be above the optimal position. I let go of the steering wheel - it turns out an overlay with devices. I raise the seat - the instruments appeared in my field of vision, but my head was squeezed into the ceiling. In other words, I was looking for a comfortable position for a long time.
To insert the ignition key into the lock, you need a certain skill, since the driver does not see it. Seats are not the best profile. The fact that the back does not rest is clear without comment, but when an unpleasant tension appeared, the sensation became distinct after a couple of hours. Judging by my own feelings, I concluded that the seat backs need support at lumbar level.
Visibility is relatively acceptable. Only the rear seat headrests completely cover the view in the interior mirror. Well, at least the side mirrors are not too miniature.
The pedals - like the keys or buttons of a spaceship - are very light, absolutely weightless. The K4M valve cannot impress, of course, with explosive acceleration, but the thrust is quite good. Gears are switched without emphasized accuracy, but there is no floating uncertainty, as is the case with all-wheel drive VAZ models produced before the time of Renault-Nissan. The lever travel is large, the wrist throw will not save, and there is no armrest, so the right arm hangs down.
But the pendant! The best thing that a test drive of the Nissan Almera Classic can distinguish is that it is more perfect than the suspension of the first Logan, namely Renault Logan should be considered the “pioneer” of broken roads! With excellent energy intensity, the car turned out to be higher than its French ancestor in terms of smoothness. And the passage of speed bumps with dynamic unloading performed by Almera is more impressive than poetry!
As for everything else, the positive is perceived as the absence of the negative. The car is easily controlled, it is not lost in the process of driving, albeit at permissible speeds. Adequately responds to steering, passes trajectories with accuracy, but does not reach emotional satisfaction. And why would a car need a “drive” if the father of the family, wise over the years, is driving it? His style of movement is moving in segments, and thinking about how, leaving point A, not to pass by point B ...
What should be recommended to the future owner of Almera is to immediately provide additional soundproofing. When driving at 20 km / h, noise is already heard, and at 60 km / h, a depressing sound comes from the wheel arches. Moreover, the strengthening of the background music does not really help ...
So the test drive of the Nissan Almera Classic has been completed, what conclusions will follow from it? Before us is a solid spacious sedan of the famous Japanese brand, something between speed and slowness, a large trunk, a simple interior, mediocre sound insulation, adapted to domestic roads, Russian assembly, reasonable cost. All indicators for maintaining the level of sales at a critical moment. In contrast to the above, in 2015 sales decreased by 44%, which is 20 thousand cars. Hyundai Solaris models were sold 1% less over the same period. What is special about Almera?
One of the opinions is the lack of options. Engine, two boxes, two whole, five tenths of a complete set. Why two and a half - the differences between Comfort, Comfort AC and Comfort + are barely perceptible, and Tekna's top version has not progressed too far. If we consider the basic package Welcome for 499 thousand rubles, it is difficult to imagine it in reality. Indeed, not every salon provides it.
It turns out that competitors are able to offer an analogue at a price that is more affordable, some are an even more perfect analogue for the same money, which is most important - a set of advantages far from the standard, including a flawless engine. More recently, everything looked exactly like this, as if Almere had no competitors. Some models are tighter, they have exquisite pendants, others are more expensive, so the Russian car market is able to accept all offers.
Auto journalists constantly checked the information, wondering if the estimated capacity of 65 thousand cars per year is enough, or is it necessary to grow them up to 90? At the moment, analyzing the 2016 Nissan Almera test drive, video, I am not sure if the demand for the model will be maintained, justifying production in the future.
This data should live with the fact that the country is not overpopulated with men in their forties getting into a state of ecstasy from a calm, solid and practical family car at an affordable cost. Perhaps such men, no less than journalists, appreciate the advantages and disadvantages of popular brands, and have the right to choose based on ideas of perfection, and they would rather feel more comfortable inside the salon. It is not known whether the decision will mature in the company to make a radical redecoration of this car of Japanese-French origin, a native of Asian countries, completed on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Nissan Almera is right for you if:
- your country has ideal roads or newly repaired roads or plans for repairs in the near future;
- if you constantly have to give basketball players a lift or you yourself are a tall person;
- you want to look with your car like a landscape against the backdrop of the boss's car.
You will be against buying a Nissan Almera if:
- you have an individual intolerance to plastic odors;
- Do you love the work of Andy Warhol?
- you sleep and see how to set new records of the Nurburgring Nordschleife with this car.
