Small car. Small car brands

Small cars appeared during the period of economic stagnation in the second half of the twentieth century, when prices for gasoline rose steadily, servicing of cars of the executive class became more expensive, and cars of class D (large family cars) and C (average European) were not cheap.

Demand

Gradually formed consumer demand for B-class cars with an economical engine from 1.1 liters to 1.4 liters, with a capacity of 48-56 hp, which consumed only 5-6 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers in urban mode. Motor vehicles of the B segment are compact and subcompact models ranging in length from 3.7 to 4.3 meters, maneuverable and dynamic. The dimensions of a small car were the main criterion, which contributed to its popularity among a wide range of buyers. The car took up a minimum of parking space, it could be "squeezed" anywhere. In the design bureaus of some automotive firms, there were even attempts to increase the already good parking properties of small cars by giving rotary functions to the rear wheels. However, nothing happened, because the driver in this case required very different skills.

Models

Some of the most popular brands of small cars:

• Daewoo Matiz - produces the South Korean company Daewoo Motors;
• Ford Fiesta - manufactured by Ford Motor Company, USA;
• Mini Cooper - manufactured by the German automotive concern BMW;
• Toyota Yaris - the car of the Japanese company "Toyota";
• Kia Picanto is a South Korean manufacturer of Kia Motors;
• Smart Fortwo - produced by the German automobile concern Daimler;
• Honda Gear - the car of the Japanese corporation "Honda Motor Company";
• Suzuri Swift - produced by the Japanese automobile company "Suzuki";
• Seat Ibiza - produces the Spanish company "Seat";
• Skoda Fabia - the car of the Czech manufacturer "Skoda".

Small cars for women

All major car manufacturers, along with the main products, produce subcompacts segment B. And already in this category, a number of models have been developed, aimed at women. Criteria for choosing cars for the fair sex are quite expected: it is a beautiful, effective appearance of the car, a fantastic pick-up (from a place to a gallop) and, of course, economy. In the first place in the ranking of the most popular "female" cars is Peugeot 207, a miniature Frenchman. The second place was taken by "Honda Jazz", a stylish Japanese with a left rudder. In third place is a pretty "ladybug" Nissan Micra with characteristic contours. Next come: Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, Sitroen C3, Daewoo Matiz, Hyundai Getz, Fiat 500 and closes the list of the stylish Mini Cooper, which took its place at the very tail just because of its high price, otherwise it would be his first.

Small cars, the prices for which vary from 500 thousand (Ford Fiesta) to 1 million 450 thousand rubles (Mini Cooper) can be bought at any Moscow motor show if there is a model on sale or on request. Each model is completed at the request of the buyer.

Small car Daewoo Matiz

This is an urban runabout with front-wheel drive. It is produced since 1997, has several modifications. The engine is a three-cylinder volume of 0.8 liters, capacity of 45 liters. With a maximum speed of 160 km / h. The model has repeatedly become the leader of sales, enjoys well-deserved popularity. It is reliable, inexpensive to operate.

The car "Ford Fiesta"

Subcompact car B-class, the production begins in 1976. It is one of the most popular in the automotive market, for the period from 1976 to the present, over 26 million copies were sold. The name of the "Fiesta" car was given personally by Henry Ford II, president of Ford Motor Company. "Ford Fiesta" is equipped with a gasoline engine in several versions or turbodiesel. The length of the car is 3950 mm.

Minor car Mini Cooper

The model was developed by the British corporation British Motor Corporation in 1958. Mini Cooper is considered a stylish car with its own image and history. The first few years the car was going to two plants, in Birmingham and Oxford, then the production expanded, and Cooper began to go off the assembly line in Longbridge and Cowley. In 2000, the model with all the documentation was sold to the German concern BMW.

Toyota Yaris

The car is produced since 1998 and has many advantages in comparison with other models of a similar class. About the Toyota Yaris say that it is "inside more than outside", its interior is spacious and comfortable. Power plant - liter engine capacity of 68 liters. With., The transmission is mechanical. The machine is easy to control, stable at corners and good maneuverability. The length of the body is 3885 millimeters.

Small car Kia Picanto

Kia Picanto - the most miniature model in the line of "Kia Motors". However, the car is a full 5-door hatchback with good dynamics, which provides a fairly powerful three-cylinder engine. The car is distinguished by a variety of complete sets: "Standard", "Standard Plus", "Classic", "Comfort", "Lux". The length of the body is 3595 millimeters.

Level of comfort and safety

Small cars, photo Which are presented on the page, this is only part of the list. In fact, the models are much larger, in different modifications, trim levels and interior layout. Running cars of a business class differ from their counterparts with an expensive interior, an abundance of all kinds of devices, an engine of increased power. Cars of economy class, on the contrary, look more modest in terms of interior decoration, are equipped with an economical motor, the package does not include expensive audio and video systems.

However, the level of security, both passive and active, for all cars of Segment B is the same. ABS is included in the basic equipment of all small cars, cushions and seat belts are the standard equipment of the car. Ergonomic parameters are also maintained at approximately the same level for all models.

A small car needs to be chosen taking into account its maneuverability, this criterion is of great importance when driving through the city, especially in economic matters. A car with a large turning radius is more difficult to park, the main advantage of a compact car - compactness - can be lost if the model is clumsy. For a small car, the optimal turning radius is a value of not more than 5.6 and not less than 4.7 meters.