- Interiors
The cars are growing, especially at the top. You only have to look at the Peugeot 307, Fiat Stilo, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic or future Megane compact between or among Jazz and the Yaris small. But in medium and large saloons was not anything like that until the arrival of the Vel Satis, which follows the same trend, but being a luxury vehicle, large, the overall size and ways collide with the traditional. Higher than a Zafira and 2 cm less than a Scenic seems indeed to another level, especially when we see it parked alongside the other vehicle.
In the compact segment of this image is a virtue, but in the luxury saloon, with prices above 35,000 euros, the thing is more risky. The clientele seems to prefer brands of prestige saloons and three volumes.
Space for all
But it has its advantages. The first is the use of space. The Vel Satis is the largest of the three, not only in degree but in a subjective feeling. The entrance and exits the car or in any other model because of the altitude where the sidewalk is located. In addition we sit in a real seat with a huge support especially to shoulder height. Needless to "air" between commanders and the dashboard in the windshield and the distance between the head and sidebar. Behind is simply amazing. Sobra distance to the legs, because they are not stretched, but the knees are placed at right angles. Two occupants will travel back as well as forwards, while a possible third will sit on a very hard and high and can play with your head on the ceiling. At least the flat floor makes the allocation of space for so much leg.
HIGHLIGHTS
The years passed bill in Saab
Both the Saab Peugeot 607 as the answer to the traditional pattern of tourism in terms of interior space. The latest design of the Peugeot also gives a very good habitable. Not with so much quality space, but with almost the same amount as the Vel Satis. It is comprehensive, convenient and enjoyable. The Saab does not go wrong even stopped being the worst of the three, but the driving position is strange, something flanked on the combination of steering wheel, pedals and seats. Once inside each, which transmit the sensation is of quality. Renault has been in the care of it in the feel of all controls and coatings, with good visual perception. Falla in the small buttons on the stereo, the sound of it, a clock out of place and some hidden controls. The Peugeot 607 also gets us with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The browser screen has changed from a simple one color equal to that which is mounted on the Citroen C5. Better screen that does not prevent the tilt of the central part of the dashboard can see clearly the day nor the screen, nor the indicators of radio and air conditioning. Behind it is big and comfortable, but the fall from the ceiling limits access to the height of the heads.
The Saab has a few seats of impeccable design, but the years go by and touch the materials that do not have the same feeling that the last generation. What is indisputable, however, is the setting. He still had an original line, and more familiar version, with the advantages of the tailgate when loading large packages.
- Engines and Equipment
All three engines have an engine capacity of 2.2 liter, variable-geometry turbocharger and common rail in the case of two Frenchmen. The higher yield what draws Renault, with an output of 150 hp, 133 hp for the Peugeot 120 hp and only home of Saab Opel. But the powers are not always synonymous with better benefits. In this case the Vel Satis 1845 kg of earth thrown by the greatest power. In the end, the three move in a very similar way, with a slight advantage in global terms for the Peugeot 607, which outperforms the other two in accelerations and gave in recoveries, more than anything because of a lack of strength at low speed. A shortage that is stretched up to 2,000 rpm, when the answer becomes smooth and progressive. At Saab and the Vel Satis they also note a lack of strength down even more sharply, but at a lower margin of laps. A little more than a thousand laps respond worse, but it takes at least begin the handover.
The Vel Satis is the only one who has a gearbox of six marches, with one-sixth that while in theory not be too long, in practice, rolling on highway, called the fifth in repechos and recoveries. The Peugeot and Saab are still better thanks to developments in the fifth very short.
The sixth of Renault also serves to economize, as it is the most consuming of all. And that is an excessive and a high aerodynamic drag are the best allies of the oil.
HIGHLIGHTS
The model of Renault embroiders the compromise between comfort and stability.
At the time of travel, mainly for roads and highways, the Vel Satis embroiders the compromise between comfort and stability. Thanks to some very long walks suspension does not need a hard tarados. Take advantage of this long tour of the shock to slow gently swings of the body. The result is a sense of magic carpet, with an excellent stability and normal behavior and simple. The bases are so good that even tacks on roads can obscure the enormous weight and the inertia involved. To add insult to the sound is very well damped even at speeds at about 180-200 km / h marker. None of aerodynamic noise and a distant hum of the engine that only listens to hasten Marches in short.
The Peugeot 607 uses an address with much prominence to place the car where we want. And that the suspensions of our unit were soft, while those of the first units were quite the opposite. May be due to a change in the laws of buffer made to install the ESP, although Peugeot have no official confirmation of such a thing. Still, it is a good chassis, with some rebound more, but well-guided by an address that sends it on others and a rear axle with due speed. The performance of ESP is the most discreet: it just comes and very softly. Like the Renault, Peugeot get a good general soundproofing engine and aerodynamic.
The Swedish without ESP
In the Saab also find rebounds and parasites movements of the front axle when we tried to exploit the full potential of the car. Although mean more trouble that risk. The tendency to open the path is clearer in Swedish, with an address less accurate and less about suspensions tuned. The rear axle does not help when we lift the foot throttle and the support striker lacks something of effectiveness. It is not a security issue, but of degree of concentration at high speed, which eventually leads to another point of fatigue. It is also the only group that does not have ESP or option. The 120 hp do not stay low, next to their more powerful, and allow for high cruising highways. The sound level, although the figures are higher than those of the French, it sounds nice and not too much or vibrates, giving an overall positive feeling.
Peugeot 607 and Vel Satis out for their comprehensive facilities
It is also the best maneuver. Their battle gives you a smaller turning diameter of 10.8 meters, compared with 12 m of the Vel Satis and Peugeot, which become a little rebellious to move through narrow streets and maneuver in general. The volume of Renault is a problem in town, but in return we compensated with an electric parking brake is removed only when you start walking. Any advantage for startups in the slope. All three have a very extensive equipment, including Peugeot and the Vel Satis. At Saab is missing electricity adjustment of seats, stability control and xenon headlights, although, like the Peugeot 607, includes leather upholstery from production equipment. Nevertheless, both the Peugeot as the Renault dare to face the most renowned brands, while Saab, with a very quote in our country, costs 4,000 euros less than the Vel Satis, with the added versatility that gives Family bodywork.
Peugeot 607 2.2 HDi / Volvo S80 D5. Engine and interior. Behavior and benefits
- Engine and interior
Suavisima prestige saloon with the latest generation diesel engine saloon or representation of general constructor with a high level of equipment and more moderate price? Two different approaches with obvious points of convergence in the size and service they can offer their drivers. Choose one or the other, Volvo S80 D5 or Peugeot 607 2.2 HDi, may depend on the money or how they perceive the potential buyer each brand. But both have designed products that are convincing and no doubt a reference in many sections within their respective positions within the segment.
Volvo needed a last-generation diesel engine because, despite its excellent qualities, the five-cylinder Audi origin fitted to the S80 that was already being a bit old. The brand, which now belongs to Ford, had already begun to develop its latest diesel engine on the basis of five aluminum cylinders when changed hands and now this engine is a comprehensive overview and enable better technical development and that may have an interesting economy of scale as it may, if deemed necessary, at Jaguar and Ford.
The S80, as evidenced by its comfort and reduced noise level, you receive this new propellant for further refined and does so with a selling price of 6,149,627 pesetas in the basic variant, which faces the Peugeot 607 2.2 HDi that is, without special equipment, at 5,762,200 pesetas. While the price of the product Swedish reflects the higher power of its engine and the positioning of the brand among the elite of the Peugeot 607 is very competitive in terms of content and the outstanding quality of their finishes and overall performance.
While with the D5 engine, Volvo placed finishes in almost all the sections at the level of its German rival, Peugeot, with the Peugeot 607 2.2 HDi, generously equipped and very well done, significantly close the gap that their top-end models have with the products more expensive segment. The list of options for Volvo is broad, and as with the brands Teutons, sophistication and quality of these options are listed too high for what should be left to cap the model before removing it from the dealer pulled the price up.
The new diesel five-cylinder in-line Volvo is presented with the latest technologies, feeding through common second generation, which injects 1,600 bars instead of 1,350 bars, 4 valves per cylinder and variable geometry turbocharger. The Peugeot 607's engine is the familiar 2.2 HDi powered through common delivery of the first generation that 136 hp and that could be described as a stepping stone for entry to the mechanical diesel in this segment.
The interiors of both are distinctly different but have in common a high level of finishes. More formal and discreet of the Peugeot 607 and with some American bias, with a profusion of controls, ergonomically-located from the Volvo. For its quality, the pack beautification Ebony Peugeot offers a feature that makes it difficult to accept that the interior of the Peugeot 607 belongs, in fact, any vehicle around 300,000 pesetas below the Volvo S80. It is clear that the price / equipment opts for the French product.
On the other hand, the Peugeot 607 takes very well to give his longest relief to the legs of the occupants of the rear seats, winning four centimeters respect to Volvo, but clearly losing it with slack in the head, so that the habitability of Both can be considered quite a couple. According to its positioning, the S80 can be purchased with a series of accessories for comfort or luxury that are not available in the Peugeot 607, such as headrests electrically folding back control of height and tread.
HDi engine operation, for a four-cylinder, it is very nice. Logically, with its 2.2 liter engine capacity of this HDi can not offer benefits to the Peugeot 607's engine Volvo, which has increased capacity and new generation. His injection system through the common, four valves per cylinder and variable geometry turbocharger conducive to its progressiveness and smoothness of operation. Is well soundproofed and fulfills its mission to propel an adequate representation of basic sedan but sometimes are missing something thrust in recoveries. In fact, what he would come in very well with the body of the Peugeot 607 is a more powerful turbo, in line with those of its rivals, particularly because the segment is being developed to significantly higher power and the chassis has enough nobility to endure without more sophisticated in their drive wheels. Moreover, despite its nobility, the four-cylinder in-line fails to dampen the vibrations as well as the five-cylinder Swedish.
With this engine, corroborates what experienced with the previously tested S60: notable for their extreme gentleness, his excellent soundproofing and a touch of driving as much or more comfortable that the best Mercedes. In this capacity of 2.5 liters becomes today a real reference, both among the saloons and in the middle of representation within its power band. While the 2.2 PSA mounted on the Peugeot 607 is fairly quiet, the unit of Volvo shines for its excellent balance between impulse and smoothness. Idling barely feel and torque delivery is so progressive, which is capable of dealing with silk gloves to the occupiers, even in moments of greatest power of acceleration. Their presence is noticeable in the vicinity of 3,800 rpm where the quality of its noise is not as strong. But before and after that regime does not seem to have engine, to the point that it is possible to roll very fast just to feel normal aerodynamic noise.
- Conduct and benefits
In paragraph Peugeot 607 of the behavior maintains its strengths and limitations. The shock absorbers are fairly hard to compression springs and slightly more resistant in relation to which they might expect from a saloon of this type. This combination, and low resistance to the extension springs ago that the car does not filter with the same effectiveness as the Volvo small pavement irregularities. Without being overly harsh, copy the Peugeot 607 small potholes more than their rivals. And at the other end, the docks are imposed on the springs, so that the movements of the body, particularly in the frontal area is quite noticeable. In curves, the performance is good and reliable car points very well and fast in the turns, stop the slide morro in phase half of the curves and the rear axle is very strong. Even removing the foot of the gas can not get lost grip. You have to be very aggressive in driving to show any effect directional. For his part, the S80 wheel with more softness and packaging as the setting of their shock absorbers and springs is softer. The S80 slipping just over the hill to the Peugeot 607 and is not as nimble at the entrance to the color changes, but change does slip rear axle with its delicious progressivity when you remove your foot from the gas, always with absolute assurance. The Swedish product responds more faithfully to what would be a saloon sports representation without boasting. Can be purchased with switchable traction control, acting (very rarely in a position to good adhesion) the cutting of the accelerator and the lighting. For his part, the Peugeot 607 offers stability control that was never activated so indiscreet. Similarly, the address of the Peugeot 607 responding with greater agility and transmits over the sensations of driving.
The brakes of the Peugeot 607 are shown effective, with good stopping distance for the category and acceptable resistance to fatigue, but did not touch the pedal awakens a sense of security because in the first phase is somewhat spongy. The changes and developments are correct in both soft inserts in the Volvo.
With a Swedish vehicle is transported between cottons, with "hiperconfort", surrounded by all kinds of accessories and an interesting potential benefits. With the French product, it enjoys a high degree of comfort though there is increased sensitivity of the road, all at a very refine. Two similar but different worlds, two approaches and two criteria that are close but do not mix. Any of them is chosen will be a success.
Comparison: BMW 520i / Peugeot 607 2.2
With saloons mean increasingly large and powerful, is getting more difficult to survive the basic versions of large saloons. This, coupled with the increasingly estrangulantes antipollution regulations, has guided the path of these mechanical path towards higher engine capacity. This has been understood both as BMW and Peugeot, to motorize their representatives more content in the chapter of gasoline, have come up to 2.2 liters of displacement. This small peak-two liters and "peak" - does wonders, since it allows exceeded the barrier of 150 bhp with ease and provides few extras mkg, without forcing a little progressive torque curve, making these engines in a relatively close pass to the next, normally a 6-cylinder engine from 175 to 200 hp. In fact, BMW uses the classic six in line of the mark, appropriately updated, its high engine capacity up to 2.2 liters. Opposite him, his extrapolated Peugeot four-cylinder up to Cubic still higher than the BMW and install two trees for balancing the vibrations that contain pieces of alternative ratios are produced.
The operation of the two is mechanics ties with the softness so obvious. The BMW lives up to its fame and touring as an electric motor, fine and progressive. The Peugeot left guessing some small vibration on the steering wheel, perceptible only with extreme care, but it is nevertheless a good reflection of the wonders that can do some axis contrarrotantes.
HIGHLIGHTS
The French engine is significantly stronger that its German rival.
Faced pistons piston, the surprise is not small when it is found that the French engine is significantly stronger that its German rival, as always paradigm of energy use. But figures obtained by our test bench dictate that pushed the four-cylinder with just over six in the forcefulness that line. And that it has an invaluable ally in a gearbox with developments that appear to have been chosen by a team competition, as it is not wasted no rpm single in the fifth and the jumps between gears are impeccable. The Peugeot does not leave anything to chance, and despite a touch of the lever less satisfactory than that of BMW, the transmission also takes a perfectly the potentials of the propellant.
The benefits, therefore, are not particularly different. In acceleration, the BMW is faster because of better motor skills, not skating in the first few meters, but in recoveries and overtaking, the Peugeot puts things in place, according to its mechanics over par. At the time consuming, parity is also the situation closer to reality and will have more influence on driving style than the thirst for both mechanical.
A time to take advantage of these resources away from straight lines, both models show some ways more than good. The BMW, with its stability control, and limiting the excesses of the driver, but even without it connected, the frame shows a refinement of the first, with an excellent balance that we can only break into a very closed angles based on an excessive use of accelerator. Even in these situations, control of derrapaje is easy, thanks to the excellent design of the chassis. The Peugeot, meanwhile, is revealed as a true representative of the mark. Despite its size, the liveliness is the sensation of its main wheel. The front axle has a major bearing directional and the mandates of the driver are performed promptly and accurately. The train rear-caste comes to the greyhound, demonstrates an unusual flexibility in this segment. The changes that mark the place in the suspensions before the commercial release have not killed one of the characteristics which for three decades have been regarded as one of the most outstanding virtues of the brand and, now, from certain sectors, it looks like one of its most repudiated defects. In our view, the behavior of Peugeot 607 would be almost perfect if it had been incorporated in this release, the stability control system that limited the point of excess in the rear of the train reaction that some drivers may find surprisingly quiet court in situations limit. In any case, and outside them, the large model of Peugeot is so stable, or more than its rival in this comparative and their speed of passage through the curves are virtually identical.
The Peugeot could only look with envy at BMW in a matter of tact in the conduct and use.
Comfort behind the wheel
Since we are talking about equality, opening the door of the Peugeot we find ourselves with an overview of the most positive. Never the presentation of a model of signing the lion had gone so high, with superb visual quality of materials and a completion of the first. The interior space and design of the driving position leave no room for criticism, being comfortable rather than a chapter spoiled. Quiet, non-vibrating with damping effect of double-soft low-frequency oscillations and more rigid at high speed and highly-equipped, the Peugeot could only look with envy at BMW in a matter of tact in the conduct and use. That provided the firmness calculated that BMW has chosen for his leadership-520i, however, closing the doors, etc. .- is seen as superior quality compared to the softness that characterizes the Peugeot. The goal more difficult to hand Peugeot 607 with this is to believe in advance to those who have 6 million pesetas ready to be spent in a car, placed on the balance 520 and Peugeot 607, virtually in balance in the horizontal. We are willing to affirm it, but our experience shows that in a country like ours, most of them invest their money in a model, the 5 Series, so with excellence and a reputation as settled as the Bavarian brand has managed to hoard.
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