You've all read the rave reviews. And I'm afraid this is going to be yet another of those.
I have driven the car around 130 km for the last few hours. On highways, lanes, in the city - crooked roads, straight roads...the lot.
Handling. The car handles very very well. It is very direct steered. Much like a Miata, but with a bit more sophistication. The car responds to the driver's every move. Almost at the first thought.
Comfort. There has been some questions about this. Some magazine testers have reported loud road noise. Some complained about suspension. So, is there road noise? Yes, there is. But even with winter tyres on the worst gravel I could find, the noise isn't intrusive. And the suspension? Yes, it's firm. Very firm to be exact, but it still doesn't make the car uncomfortable. This is a sporty family car. A descent compromise. Engine sound has also been commented upon by some reviewers. Yes, the engine roars. Unsophisticated? Yes, if you wished for a Mercedes. But the raw tone is very sporty. Not unlike a Rotary, actually. High speed reveals that there is no wind noise at all. And the speed controlled volume control increases volume when speed increases. Clever (even if it isn't unique). Seats are very comfortable, and rear seat passengers let me know that the rear seat was very comfortable and roomy too.
Design. I lack words. It's so increadibly beautiful. Especially the hatch. I'll take pics tomorrow to let you see my new darling.
Instrumentation. Yes, it's good, the red light is very classy and soft. Nice to look at.
Fuel consumption. Even though I pushed it (2.0) very hard, it refused to give less than 10 km/litre. In 90 km/h it used less than 0,5 litre/10 km.
Any negatives yet? Yes, a few minor things. First - I have the moist in my front lights. Tonight weather changed and it got very cold, and the car has been washed twice in two days indoors... I'm gonna open a hatch in the light's rear walls and turn the lights on to "burn" the moist out. Let you know.
The cruise control at times felt a bit harsch when reducing speed. But it's probably a matter of the car being completely new.
The trannie doesn't feel as sophisticated as I first thought on my test drive. But again - it's completely new. It will loosen up in a few miles...
The sum is that I'm not only impressed with this car. I am beyond that. It's impossible to understand how a brand can transform itself this way. It's like if Skoda went BMW, sort of.
I think - no I know - that I have to take another test drive tomorrow. Good thing is that I don't have to return it meanwhile. It's mine!
I have driven the car around 130 km for the last few hours. On highways, lanes, in the city - crooked roads, straight roads...the lot.
Handling. The car handles very very well. It is very direct steered. Much like a Miata, but with a bit more sophistication. The car responds to the driver's every move. Almost at the first thought.
Comfort. There has been some questions about this. Some magazine testers have reported loud road noise. Some complained about suspension. So, is there road noise? Yes, there is. But even with winter tyres on the worst gravel I could find, the noise isn't intrusive. And the suspension? Yes, it's firm. Very firm to be exact, but it still doesn't make the car uncomfortable. This is a sporty family car. A descent compromise. Engine sound has also been commented upon by some reviewers. Yes, the engine roars. Unsophisticated? Yes, if you wished for a Mercedes. But the raw tone is very sporty. Not unlike a Rotary, actually. High speed reveals that there is no wind noise at all. And the speed controlled volume control increases volume when speed increases. Clever (even if it isn't unique). Seats are very comfortable, and rear seat passengers let me know that the rear seat was very comfortable and roomy too.
Design. I lack words. It's so increadibly beautiful. Especially the hatch. I'll take pics tomorrow to let you see my new darling.
Instrumentation. Yes, it's good, the red light is very classy and soft. Nice to look at.
Fuel consumption. Even though I pushed it (2.0) very hard, it refused to give less than 10 km/litre. In 90 km/h it used less than 0,5 litre/10 km.
Any negatives yet? Yes, a few minor things. First - I have the moist in my front lights. Tonight weather changed and it got very cold, and the car has been washed twice in two days indoors... I'm gonna open a hatch in the light's rear walls and turn the lights on to "burn" the moist out. Let you know.
The cruise control at times felt a bit harsch when reducing speed. But it's probably a matter of the car being completely new.
The trannie doesn't feel as sophisticated as I first thought on my test drive. But again - it's completely new. It will loosen up in a few miles...
The sum is that I'm not only impressed with this car. I am beyond that. It's impossible to understand how a brand can transform itself this way. It's like if Skoda went BMW, sort of.
I think - no I know - that I have to take another test drive tomorrow. Good thing is that I don't have to return it meanwhile. It's mine!
