Test drive Foton Sauvana
It is made in China according to the classic rules of the off-road genre: frame, rear axle, four-wheel drive with a reduction, high-torque powerful motor. And the price tags of the 7-seater Sauvana are more attractive than those of a few competitors.
The appearance in Russia of the first batch of Chinese Foton Sauvana SUVs is essentially a reconnaissance operation. The firstborns were collected using screwdriver technology in Belarus at the Belgee enterprise. But already in the fall, the start of production of the model is promised at one of the Russian factories, where they plan a full cycle with welding and painting. And according to the results of intelligence, having studied the customer feedback, the representatives of the company are going to adjust the configuration to add attractiveness to the localized car. Although now Sauvana is a very interesting proposal.
The first batch contains 300 cars. So the association with the cinematic Spartans, who faced a harsh battle, asks. Sauvana will fight for a buyer in the "real" SUV niche. The large-sized station wagon has a frame structure with a front independent suspension and a rear axle on springs, a rear self-locking differential, a four-wheel drive with an electronically controlled clutch and a reduction, a ground clearance of 220 mm, encouraging entry and exit angles of 28 and 25 degrees, the ability to overcome a ford with a depth of 800 mm. In general, everything is serious.
The authority is reinforced by the names of world-class manufacturers, partners in the development. Bridge - Dana 44, transfer case - BorgWarner, 5-speed manual gearbox - Aisin 038U, 6-band "automatic" - ZF 6НР21. BorgWarner, Bosch and Continental conjured over the 2.0 4G20TI gasoline turbo engine.
The Chinese did not explain the pedigree of the motor, but the Russian office conducted an investigation and now proudly reports that the unit from the commercial Volkswagen, which is deployed longitudinally at Sauvana, was taken as the basis. The version with the manual gearbox develops 201 hp, and with the "automatic" - 217 hp. By the beginning of Russian production, the turbodiesel needed for the SUV will also be added - Cummins ISF 2.8 with a capacity of 177 horsepower has been announced. This motor is well known to us from GAZ light trucks. And in the future they want to certify a 199-horsepower modification with a lower tax rate.
A strong trump card of the novelty is the starting price of $ 19. A few foreign competitors are more expensive: Kia Mohave - from $ 189 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport - from $ 32, Toyota LC Prado - from $ 179. The ideologically close Toyota Fortuner will arrive in October, and prices are likely to be higher too. UAZ Patriot with a price tag of $ 27 continues to raise questions about quality. There is still no effective method against the unyielding "scrap" of Russians' distrust of Chinese quality. But Foton offers a three-year or 683 km warranty for the car as a whole and seven years or 26 km for the engine and transmission.
They were not greedy with the complete sets either. Sauvana Basic for $ 19 is a complete set of off-road weapons, a five-seater salon, front airbags, ERA-GLONASS, ESP, slope assistance, electric windows and heated mirrors, air conditioning, audio system (CD, USB and AUX), rear parking sensors , c / s, alarm and alloy 783-inch wheels and a full-size spare wheel. Comfort version with a difference of $ 16. - already a seven-seater with a keyless system, light sensor, cruise control and 527-inch wheels. Comfort + is $ 17 more expensive. and features a leather interior, a seven-inch screen, Bluetooth, SD slot and a rear-view camera. All of these options are with MCP.
More powerful modifications with automatic transmissions Luxury, Premium and Premium + cost from $ 21. The equipment levels are similar, but the Premium has added climate control and a rain sensor. But annoying gaps in the price list are a typical problem of all "Chinese". Sauvana is deprived of steering wheel adjustment for reach, the driver's seat is without electric drives, there is no headlight washer and heating of the wipers rest zone. Heated seats, luggage curtains and navigation promise later. And rubber mats and metal protection of the motor, transmission and tank are still included in the accessories. By the way, a camera with such an array of body is not a luxury: it would be installed not only on the top version.
We will move to the outskirts of Veliky Novgorod, where test SUVs Luxury and Premium + with 217-horsepower engines and automatic machines are expected. The fifth door is surprisingly easy to lift, and the unfolded third row of seats leaves just 290 liters for luggage. On the other hand, the additional places are not for children - adults of average build can be tolerably accommodated here. In the trunks of the seven-seat versions, there is a large underground box, and if you remove the gallery, a flat area is formed. The two-row version is already akin to a van: the floor of the compartment is lower and the transformation gives a maximum volume of 360 liters more (2240 liters). The second row is more spacious, but the transmission tunnel can interfere. The floor is raised by the frame: it is not critical for passengers, but the selection of a landing while driving is complicated.
The driver's seat from the American company Johnson Controls seems harsh at first glance, but there are no other complaints - it is comfortable. The hefty "TVs" of side mirrors are very good, but they are of little use from magnifying circles. And in vain the rear washer nozzle is located at the edge of the cleaning sector - in winter, efficiency problems are likely, which we have already noted on station wagons with this solution.
Plastics are inexpensive, but not a hint of a chemical smell, and the assembly is quite solid. The Chinese are steadily progressing, although there are still plenty of minor flaws. The on-board computer is controlled by a button in the blind zone under the steering wheel, and the buttons on the spoke for the submenu are inactive in motion. Air conditioner temperature display helpless. The seat heating buttons - seen by the plugs - will be difficult to access.
On the go, Sauvana Luxury and Premium + are two big differences. Luxury with 16-inch wheels allows you to scurry confidently on splashed asphalt roads without sacrificing comfort. The suspension is energy-intensive, with surprisingly little noise and vibration. On a flat highway, the picture changes: the driver is more strongly affected by “frame” distortions of road perception, delays in steering deviations and emptiness in the near-zero zone. Premium + with 17-inch wheels is more collected, and the steering wheel is more informative here. But the version works out the irregularities much harder.
It is embarrassing that the brakes of the versions are dissimilar. The pedal on the Luxury is easy to press up to half the travel, where the foot meets sharp resistance - smooth decelerations require skill. And in Premium +, the drive is tuned more clearly, but it slows down the car with laziness. And why is Luxury quiet, and in the Premium + cabin you can hear the loud sighs of the turbine?
Smooth traction at low revs, a burst of energy in the region of 2000 - 2500 rpm. The weighty SUV drives with the enthusiasm of a compact crossover. You just need to get used to the free movement of the gas pedal and make allowances for pauses in the reactions of the power unit. The situation is improved by the sport mode of the automatic transmission. I didn’t like the manual one: switching annoyingly hangs in time. Also offered sleepy winter and economical. The Chinese do not report data on average consumption, and the onboard computer calculates 11-16 l / 100 km of the recommended 95th gasoline. Wow spread.
The drive in mono 2H mode leaves only the rear wheels in action. Auto provides 20% preload during acceleration and distribution of torque shares during slip. 4L - step-down and communication through the bypass shaft without the participation of the clutch and auxiliary electronics. We choose the latter, and now Sauvana is energetically crawling along the shore of Lake Ilmen, sinking over the nave in the pebbles. Turn stern into the water. We gently swing the car back and forth, the wheels find support, the engine pulls, the SUV takes a slope and drives off.
Foton Sauvana is a lot of real and well-equipped SUV for adequate money. But to complete the picture, you need to wait for Russian production, adjustments to complete sets and the appearance of a diesel engine.
| Basic, Comfort | ||
| A type | SUV | SUV |
| Dimensions: length / width / height, mm | 4830/1910/1885 | 4830/1910/1885 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2790 | 2790 |
| Ground clearance, mm | 220 | 220 |
| Cargo space, l | 465 | 550-1490 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1970 | 2065 |
| Gross vehicle weight, kg | 2510 | 2530 |
| engine's type | Turbocharged petrol | Turbocharged petrol |
| Working volume, cubic meters cm | 1981 | 1981 |
| Max. power, h.p. (at rpm) | 201/5500 | 217/5500 |
| Max. cool. moment, Nm (at rpm) | 300/1750-4500 | 320 at 1750-4500 |
| Drive type, transmission | Full, MKP5 | Full, AKP6 |
| Max. speed km / h | ND | ND |
| Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h, s | 11,0 | 10,5 |
| Fuel consumption, l / 100 km | ND | ND |
| Price from, $. | from 19 189 | from 21 379 |
