MARKET
/ CHOOSE WITH MIND
REASONABLE SUFFICIENCY
MORE THAN A COMPACT CLASS
TEXT / ALEXANDER BUDKIN
PHOTO / GEORGE GARDEN
We have already met Mitsubishi Karism more than once, including in group tests (ЗР, 2001, No. 7). A well-known car in our country has been produced since 1995, and during this time it has changed more than once. So in the 2002 model year, “Karisma” acquired a new power unit and suffered a small facelift. The main changes in appearance are a new grille, black headlight edging, chrome emblems; a second passenger airbag and some additional equipment appeared in the cabin. Under the hood is now a 1.8 GDi direct injection engine. In addition to it, you can get an adaptive "automatic" with the ability to manually shift gears. Something that is not yet available to the Russians is the most expensive Elegance equipment and a 1.9-liter turbodiesel.
FACE PRODUCT
As befits a popular car of the lower middle class, the Mitsubishi Karisma has many equipment options. You can choose from a sedan or hatchback in a complete set of "Classic", "Comfort" or "Evans" with engines of 1.6 or 1.8 liters, with a mechanical or adaptive automatic transmission. Accordingly, the price is from $ 14, 990 for a 1.6-liter sedan in the Classic version to $ 19, 690 for a 1.8-liter hatchback GDI Evans AT.
Even in the basic configuration, the car is not badly “packed” - power steering, central locking, immobilizer, air conditioning, dust bag, airbags for the driver and front passenger. And also the electric windows of the front doors, electric and heated exterior mirrors, radio. In addition to the usual anti-lock braking system (ABS), there is an electronic brake force distribution system - like a “sorcerer” on domestic cars, only electronic.
A hatchback with a similar set of equipment will cost $ 300 more. The Comfort version - with climate control, fog lights and a large additional list of nice little things will raise the price of the car by $ 1, 500. Here you can put a “machine”, adding another $ 1200. Well, if this doesn’t seem enough, there is a “1.8 GDI Evans”. A more powerful engine, alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel and a gear knob, a center console trimmed with titanium will thoroughly transform the car, adding to the already indicated about $ 2000 more.
WHAT'S INSIDE
Designers and designers who worked on the interior managed to find the right line between functional richness and reasonable sufficiency. While you are busy with the road, nothing superfluous will fall. But if necessary, please. You can turn the radio on or off or turn up the volume without taking off the road - this is controlled by one “twister”; you can’t confuse the air conditioner with anything either - it turns on by pressing the temperature control lever. The driver's seat, in addition to the usual adjustments, allows you to separately change the height of the front and back of the pillow (by the way, it itself is large and comfortable). In more expensive versions, lumbar support is provided.
“Karizma” has a display where information from a trip computer is displayed. But since its importance is secondary, the display is placed in the middle of the panel so that it does not loom constantly in front of the driver's eyes.
Enough space in the cabin. Four of its medium-sized inhabitants will even have a little air around. If you put back large passengers, they will sit there already denser. It is possible that the tallest will offer to swap places with a slender front. But even if he doesn’t agree, nothing bad will happen - you don’t have to put your head in your pocket.
But who surely will like it from behind is suitcases (in the trunk, of course). The cargo compartment of the car is large and, importantly, deep. Under the boot floor fit a full-size (15 inch) spare wheel and a minimum set of tools. Yes, just in case, the rear seats fold in parts.
HOW DOES?
Having tested the “Karisma” in different roles - in the city, on the highway, in a country road, you come to the conclusion that the car is extremely harmonious. In the driving character, as well as in the interior, nothing more.
"Mitsubishi" with a 1.6-liter engine keeps steady in the stream - the car turned out to be moderately nimble, but there is no sporting anger in it. The motor is able to spin up to 7000 rpm. But he does it exactly - without sharp grabs or, God forbid, failures. The gearbox does not force frequent gear changes - all gears are “long”. For example, in the second “Karisma” can accelerate to “hundreds” with a hook. But in general, the compromise between the ability to drive fast and at the same time move powerfully to the designers was a success.
In addition, this approach allowed on the suburban highway to put gasoline consumption of 5.8 liters per "hundred". True, in the urban cycle, appetite rises to 10 liters - alas, cars that meet modern safety requirements are quite heavy.
The behavior of the suspension is typical - it is adapted to our conditions: tough springs, large (170 mm) ground clearance (manufacturer's data), increased compression stroke, but … Unfortunately, a reduced rebound stroke is noticeable. If the collision with the ledges of the pavement causes only positive emotions, then jumping off small steps or getting into the hole sometimes leads to a characteristic knock. In general, the suspension is tuned universally - the car holds the road well at high speed and is quite comfortable at a quiet pace. Vibration protection is good: at idle, it is only possible to understand whether the motor is running or not using instruments. By 4000 rpm, the engine is already heard in the cabin, which is quite normal for a car of this class.
The steering wheel with variable power steering is also calm and pleasant in operation. From lock to lock, the steering wheel makes a little less than three turns, so that in the urban crush you will not tie your hands in a knot. At the same time, the large diameter of the steering wheel protects you on the track from excessive sensitivity. In addition, with an increase in speed, a barely noticeable damping is also provided by the hydraulic booster. In general, here the compromise was a success.
INTERESTING DETAIL
Small pockets at the door can be reported. Otherwise, only pluses. Boxes for little things you find in the most unexpected places; familiar mirror controls and headlight range control are located in the lower left part of the panel; power windows - in its place at the door; the driver’s seat cushion has two adjustments; behind an eye for towing; a third rear head restraint can be flush with the seat.
SERVICE
Japanese cars have a well-deserved reputation for being very reliable. Mitsubishi is no exception. The manufacturer gives a guarantee - 3 years or 100 thousand kilometers, but is in no hurry to please with low prices for services and spare parts. Obviously, it is better not to get into an accident, but minor problems can be solved. Moreover, the service for these machines is well developed.
CLASSIC PORTRAIT
Like its closest competitors, “Karism” formally falls into the middle class, although “in meaning” refers to the compact. It just so happened that more cars are being produced today than classes are invented. So they relate them either to the compact class, or to the lower middle - as anyone likes.
"Skoda Octavia." 1.4–2.0 liters, 44–85 kW.
Price - from $ 16, 000.
"Ford Focus ". 1.4–2.0 liters, 55–96 kW. Price - from $ 17, 500.
"Opel Astra". 1.2–2.2 liters, 55–108 kW. Price - from $ 14, 600.
Mitsubishi carisma
Number of places - 5; curb / gross weight - 1180/1685 kg; dimensions (L x W x H) - 4475х1710х1405 mm; maximum speed - 185 km / h; acceleration time from standstill to 100 km / h - 12.4 s; engine displacement - 1597 smz; power - 76 kW / 103 hp at 6000 rpm; torque - 141 N.m at 4500 rpm; fuel consumption (highway / city) - 5.8 / 10 l / 100 km.
PRICES FOR SPARE PARTS AND THEN, USD
THAT 15 000 km (with exp. Mater.) 220
THAT 30 000 km (with exp. Mater.) 300
Oil filter 14
Air filter 22
Fuel filter 55
Front brake shoes 95
Rear brake shoes 94
Alternator belt 20
Timing belt 90
Front shock absorber (strut) 130
Rear shock absorber 80
Steering rack 950
Front bumper 465
Rear bumper 465
Hood 371
Front wing 240
Front door 488
Door back 488
Boot lid 514
Windshield 216
Headlight assembly 290
