Ah crud. Thought the fuel economy and emissions would counteract the low performance, but I guess I should’ve put in a bit more oomph. 
Reading the first proper set of reviews made me realize that the client values environmental resistance more than I first thought - good thing I opted for a galvanized steel chassis with treated steel bodywork. Moreover, although performance wasn’t much of a priority, there is a limit to how slow they want their next car to be - the more I think about it, the more I realize that 11 seconds (or more) from 0 to 60 mph seems like too much for them. It effectively vindicates a point I had raised earlier:
On that note, had I fitted an automatic transmission as standard (an advanced one with 6 to 8 gears, mind you), my entry would most likely no longer have been seen as fast enough, in addition to being over budget - hence my decision to stick to a manual gearbox, given that the old A3 was fitted with one.
1 Like
Did… Did I just survive instabins and Round 1? What is this nonsense?
2 Likes
well mine might be binned after this, it uses standard metal body after all, with corrosion res. chassis, to cut price, well surviving round one is already surprising tho
Corrosion resistant chassis is totally counteracting any cost-cutting measures. CR steel is very expensive, it’s far better to use galvanised and treated for the whole body.
3 Likes
yea, it is, but since its 2012, i thought galvanized chassis already outdated and not used anymore in developed countries like Europe and USA you see, so i decided to keep that and downgrade the body material to be a bit more cheaper…
Rusting panels are outdated, not good enough chassis material. Nah, CR steel is a very odd choice, and TBH I’m even wondering why it’s still in the game, as it’s an easy trap to fall within.
3 Likes
A lot of people consider CR steel to be stainless steel. I see what they mean, but also like I always assumed it was just more advanced rustproofing and sealing. I think the game can be quite misleading and inflexible in that area.
3 Likes
You are both right - the extra levels of rust protection used in corrosion-resistant steel make it more expensive than galvanised steel. I suspect this is also true of any type of advanced high-strength (AHS) steel (albeit even more so, especially for light AHS steel), whose composition makes it lighter and stronger than standard, galvanised or CR steel. Therefore, CR and AHS steel chassis should both be best reserved for high-priced premium and luxury cars - lower-end mass-market cars can get away with having a galvanised chassis (and, from 1994 onwards, treated panels) instead.
1 Like
Even small economy cars are extensively using AHS nowadays, that’s the main reason behind why small cars aren’t crushed like beercans in accidents anymore.
3 Likes
The problem is that it isn’t exclusively AHS, you still got mild steel on that chart.
In my opinion Automation does not simulate modern monocoque engineering, for that I think you’d need a bunch of sliders, so to me discussing what an realistic engineering choice is is a hopeless point.
4 Likes
Hey, can we not argue game mechanics in a CSR thread? Isn’t there a better place for that?
4 Likes
CUBISM
[Round 2]
Cubism was established by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, who rejected the concept that art should copy nature. They moved away from traditional techniques and perspectives; instead, they created radically fragmented objects through abstraction. Many Cubist painters’ works are marked by flat, two-dimensional surfaces, geometric forms or “cubes” of objects, and multiple vantage points. Often, their subjects weren’t even discernible.
@nightwave - Kerberos Orion Durendal
“…Oh dear, I seem to have reached pretty much the end of this week’s missive without talking too much about the actual car. Which could be better. I have a problem with built quality. It just doesn’t feel as solid as its competitors, panel gaps seem to be big and cabin insulation isn’t the best. Couple that with high revs at motorway speeds and you will be happy if you don’t bleed out through your ears. The 2.0l turbo four-cylinder fitted to my test car feels like last week’s news. It gets a decent fuel economy and doesn’t produce much carbon dioxide, but it is very laggy. You plant your foot onto the accelerator and wait. Then the turbo comes in and you are off. The rest of the experience was forgettable. The ride is a little bit stiffer than it is necessary, but it isn’t bone-shaking. You can fit plenty of luggage in the boot and there is enough space for 5 passengers. Competition in this segment is very stiff, Orion has to work harder if they want a piece of the action.
“I don’t fancy the design, and there are apparently better alternatives,” calmingly said Flora. “It turns heads just because of the wrong reasons, just look at that rear bumper, they stole id from a supercar” jeered Leon.
@Executive & @Daddy_Devito - Hakaru Astura SE-G
“… It is a Hakaru, which means it will be a quality product and it will be as dependable as a pair of jeans. And new Astura is no different. Yes it does look dated and yes it has a 5-speed manual, but that is a part of the charm. The particular model I tested had a 2.5 turbo engine. However, it isn’t what you would call fast, adequate is a better word. It is an MPV, it doesn’t have to be quick, but it has to be practical, reliable, easy to drive etc. And I am happy to report that the new Astura does these things well. The boot is huge and there is plenty of space for passengers. The third row is tight, best suited for small children. You will be pleased to know that it comes packed with advanced safety features, such as a system that lets you know when you are leaving your lane. However, it must be said that Hakaru isn’t as comfortable as you might think. The suspension isn’t the best when going over the bumps and the interior materials aren’t as premium as the Asturas price might suggest.
“Is it from 2008?” asked Flora. “No, it is brand new,” replied Leon. “Oh” yawned Flora.
@Petakabras - Cabrera Fulgor SportLine
“… Ah, well the Fulgor. Huh Fulgor, sounds like the name of a Slovakian plummer. Anyhow the car. I don’t like it very much. I don’t like the design, especially the rear. The rear feels like it was designed by a student designer on a lunch break. It is obvious that Cabrera had a sports car in mind when they were making it. The Slovakian plummer feels very tight on the road, it is glued to the road in the corners and the engine feels eager. However it isn’t particularly easy to drive, I would describe it as rewarding. And there is your problem. It is a great handling hatchback that costs as much as a nicely specced mid-size sedan.”
“I don’t like the design either, especially the headlights, the rear doesn’t bother me as much.” commented Flora. “Honestly, this is not a car for us,” said Leon and continued the search.
@abg7 - GEC GW4 1.6T Lux
“… GW4 is a superb car. GEC really hit the mark with this one. GW4 with 1.6 turbo engine is very nice and easy to drive, considering it is a manual. It is a comfortable and practical family estate. What more could you want? Performance perhaps. I would say no. There is enough power to overtake and keep up with the traffic, it won’t set any records, but it will keep you out of the trouble with the police. Only nitpick I have with it is the brakes. They can feel spongy. So if you can live with its diplomatic design I would recommend it.”
“Yeah, no. I can’t live with that “diplomatic” design. There isn’t a single styling feature on this whole estate, 5 meters on unsculptured metal,” growled Flora.
@patridam - Silverhare Masquerade 2.0T
“… Americans really outdid themselves with this one. I can’t look at it. I don’t know why, but there is a certain element of ugliness about it. The good thing about it is that you don’t have to look at it when you drive it. The drive pleasantly surprised me. Masquerade is an easy car do drive considering its size and clunky big tires. The suspension doesn’t really deal with bumps, you can feel shockwaves going through the cabin you drive over them. Fat tires aid the ride massively. Without them, it would be uncomfortable. However, there is a bigger problem which comes in the form of an engine. Masquerade’s engine produces maximum power at the redline which means you have to rev it out when you overtake or just accelerate. At least the engine is quiet, so you don’t look like an idiot when doing it. Americans aren’t quite here yet. That is all I have to say about it.”
“It’s a looker isn’t it,” gasped Flora. “Oh, well don’t mock, they are trying,” said Leon.
@Reizei - Reizei Oxygen AE 2.4
“… Last week I tested a new Oxygen. Oxygens have never been striking looking cars, however, this one breaks that pattern. It is a very handsome looking sedan. From a coupe eske silhouette to stylish headlights. It drives as good as it looks. Oxygen is not a sports car by any means, but it hangs on in the bends very well. It is also comfortable, interior materials and technology feels premium and easy to use, however, the suspension is a bit fidgety. It is not uncomfortable but you can feel that the speed humps upset the car. I must point out that I am not the biggest fan of the engine. It has a low-pressure turbo, which should aid the economy, but Oxygen isn’t any more economical than a similar-sized car with a more conventional engine. The engine also vibrates quite a lot when you rev it out, it isn’t very smooth. The rest? It is as you would expect. Safe family car with more than enough space for 5 passengers and a decently sized boot, but nothing too outlandish.”
“I like how it looks, elegant and understated. Did we find something that suits us?” asked Flora. “Hmm… I am not sure. It is not as practical as I would like it to be, but my bigger concern is reliability. I’ve heard that those 2.4 engines can fail because of stress.” said Leon and closed the review.
@Fabelhaftigkeit - Daylilly Actis 255ti
“… Actis 255ti is a car that introduces you to the sport and handling estate segment. As you would expect there is more than enough power under the bonnet. The 2.5 turbo engine fitted to the 255ti is a very good engine, a little bit thirsty but good nevertheless. As you would expect from a car like Actis it handles nice. It feels very rewarding to drive. Just don’t be too enthusiastic. You throw it into the bends and it grips, but it rolls as well. And with a car full of people that might be a problem. Because it is such an advanced car underneath, it isn’t as advanced in other areas. For example, entertainment feels dated and it doesn’t come standard with the latest safety systems. This is understandable since the 255ti costs €31,100, which I think is a good value. So if you are in the market for an affordable sporty and exciting estate, this could be your next car.”
“I see one problem with it. Actis is not what we are looking for,” declared Leon. “I agree. Also I am not the biggest fan of the design. It just blends in,” said Flora
@Knugcab - IP Boulevard Star
“… I am going to start with saying that I don’t like the front of it. This grill just doesn’t work. It is just awkward. To drive it is okay. The model I tested had a DCT fitted. Which felt weird. In the city, it is indecisive and jerky, but on the motorway it is good. Floor the throttle and it kicks down immediately. Let me get back to the city driving. The suspension. It just doesn’t absorb bumps. It finds the smallest imperfections on the road and it makes them feel the size of a quarry. The boot space is okay, but it is small considering how big the car actually is. I would advise you to avoid IP Bulevard, it just lacks behind the competition.”
“I agree with the reviewer about the design, so on to the next one,” said Flora.
@Mikonp7 - Deer And Hunt [EU] Grunt
“… Grunt is a stylish American entry into the small SUV market. I have to be honest with you, I like the styling, I like the features which it offers and I like the engine. The engine in particular. Big 2.9L inline 6 with a turbocharger. It packs plenty of punch, coupled with a good 6-speed manual gearbox and you get a fast and eager SUV. Interior is also nice, premium and posh. Are there things I don’t like about it? Yes. The suspension is a bit unsettling. It needs time for the rear to settle down. I also don’t like the brakes, they are very grabby. But I still believe it is a good vehicle nevertheless.”
“I think we have found something for us,” said Flora. “No, we haven’t. You see the big engine and expensive interior means that it will be expensive to maintain, Grunt lags behind in safety equipment, there are other offerings that offer more advanced safety systems and realistically we don’t need a car that powerful. No doubt, Grunt is a good car, but not quite for us,” lectured Leon and opened the next review.
@george_m997 - GMD RX 1.8 SX Eco-Tec
“… If you live in a hot climate without any rain or other harsh wet weather conditions, GMD RX might be a car for you. If not then avoid. RX is one of those cars that are still using non-treated steel to make the chassis. Non-treated steel in a modern car, now that’s what I call cost-cutting. It is an estate car, but the boot is equivalent to a class smaller car. It also uses weird tires, good luck finding them at your local tire shop. I dislike the engine as well. It is called an Eco-Tec but it uses a lot of fuel and it emits a lot of carbon dioxide. Hell, it emits almost double as much CO2 than last week’s Deer and Hunt Grunt. The rest? Just the normal estate really. You get what you expect. Decent performance, plenty of space for passengers and practicality.”
“I don’t think it is for us,” declared Leon and moved on.
@Ryan93 & @ACoolCrab - Olsson 7200
“… Olsson 7200 is an RWD estate with a turbo engine and a manual gearbox. This sounds like a recipe for a driver’s car. However Olsson wasn’t built to be a driver’s car, well it doesn’t feel like it. When driving you can feel its weight moving around. What about the engine? Well, it is a dated unit, dating back to the early 2000s, that means it is a bit laggy and not very reliable. You suddenly get a lot of boosts, 7200 could get out of hand if you turn ESC off. But there is another side of the story. Interior pleasantly surprised me. Even though this is the poverty-spec you still get a lot of equipment and everything feels very solid. It also comes standard with a lot of safety systems what will keep you and your passengers safe on the road. When it comes to passengers, there is plenty of space for them, the boot is an average size for the class.”
“This one looks very bold. It looks distinctive. Should we take a look at it?” asked Flora. “The design is nice, but the reliability of the engine buggers me, and because the engine is old emissions are high. I am afraid that we are going to have to skip this one,” said Leon
@Arvok1 - Alfora Oni Grand LUX
“… Look, I am going to be brutally honest with you. Alfora Oni Grand is not the best car in the segment, far from it actually. It doesn’t come as standard with ESC and it has a dated automatic gearbox. Paired with that dated automatic is a powerful and big engine. Brakes are grabby and will wear fast. There is another problem, steel. This car uses non-treated steel as the main chassis material. I wouldn’t feel safe driving around in a car which corrodes underneath, compromising the whole structure. At least it is extremely comfortable and the engine is very smooth. These are the only two standouts I managed to find about it.”
“Another in the bucked,” said Leon. “Mhm, and I don’t like the design very much. It is just too sporty for my liking,” mumbled Flora.
@mart1n2005 - Knightwick Rogue P185 SE
“… It is a bit like a cocktail. In a way that it isn’t for everyone, it’s very niche, for a special occasion. The design won’t suit everyone’s tastes. I have to admit that I am not the biggest fan of the design, but I am a fan of the overall package. Rouge P185 is a good all-rounder. The engine is very good, plenty of torque and decent power. Performance is adequate as well. Plenty of space inside, for luggage and for the passengers. The gearbox is nice to use and the ride is very pleasant. It is predicted that it will be reliable, but only the time will tell. Things I don’t like about it are the brakes and the design. In short, there’s no big reason for not buying the new Rouge. But there’s no big reason for buying one, either. Especially when other cocktails are available.”
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” wisely spoke up Leon. “Hmm… I don’t know what to think of it. In general, I like the quirkiness of it, but I don’t view it as beautiful.” said Flora.
@LightningMcQueen - Yoshida Shiratori
“… Shiratoi is an unrefined piece of engineering, the overall quality of the product isn’t very good. 2.0l 6 cylinder. What is that all about? It isn’t very safe, it scores merely 3 stars in euro NCAP tests. It doesn’t have any particular stand out features. The design is nice, but the proportions are a little bit weird, and the front is just too flat. It looks like they crashed it already. But jokes aside. Is there anything I like about it? Well, sure. It is easy to drive, gets decent fuel economy and it is reasonably priced. So to summarize. Yoshida Shiratori is a product that needs refinement.”
“Amm, so to the next one?” asked Leon. Flora nodded
This was the end of their search for the day. There are 8 more cars bookmarked. Because they didn’t find anything they fancied so far, Flora and Leon decided that they would check out the rest themselves and take them for the test drive.
The finalists are:
@HybridTronny
@Dragawn & @vero94773
@Falling_Comet
@variationofvariables
@CriticalSet9849
@Aaron.W
@thecarlover
@Xepy
Good Luck!
22 Likes
I didn’t expect to be a finalist or anything, but I also don’t know what was so incredibly ugly about my entry? I thought it was realistic, if perhaps a bit bland… not something that would cause people to avert their eyes.
3 Likes
I am so … I build accidently a 2000 engine and not a 2010s.
F
6 Likes
I almost had a heart attack, i thought i got binned.
Same lmfao, furthest I’ve ever made it in a CSR so it’ll be interesting to see the final results
There’s the bin. Round two’s the new record.
2 Likes
DE STIJL
[Finals]
The name De Stijl (Dutch for “The Style”) adequately sums up this movement’s aim while also characterizing their intentions on how to achieve that aim: with a simple, direct approach. Founded by a cohort of Dutch artists in Amsterdam that included Theo van Doesburg (who founded the group’s periodical De Stijl), Piet Mondrian, and Jacobus Johannes Pieter Oud, De Stijl was infused with a great deal of mysticism resulting primarily from Mondrian’s devotion to Theosophy. The movement also had a great deal of influence from Parisian Cubism, though members of De Stijl felt that Picasso and Braque failed to go far enough into the realm of pure abstraction. They, like Suprematists, worked mainly in an abstract style and with unadorned shapes—such as straight lines, intersecting plane surfaces, and basic geometrical figures—and the primary colors and neutrals. With these techniques, they sought to investigate the laws of equilibrium apparent in both life and art. Although the movement comprised painters, sculptors, typographers, poets, those in the decorative arts, it was the architects, most prominently Oud with his Worker’s Housing Estate in Hoek van Holland (1924–27), who were able to best capture the austere and harmonic essences of the movement.
Later that month, Leon and Flora bookmarked test drives for the rest of the field. It was a nice morning, sunny, but cold. There was still some snow on the ground. Leon and Flora got dressed. Had their morning coffee, replied to some business emails and it was time to go. Leon took some boxes full of papers and sketches that he planned on dropping off at the office and put them in the hallway. A few moments later Flora came home from a school run. “Excellent, shall we go?” asked Leon. “I just came home,” argued Flora. “Yes, yes whatever. We have 8 test drives waiting for us. Come on!” said Leon as he was picking up the boxes and opening the front door. Flora closed the front door and yelled: “You are driving mister!”. She then threw the car keys. “Gladly,” said Leon as he caught the car keys.
@Falling_Comet - Suisei Yari Hime G6
Suisei Yari Hime G6 was the first on their list. They pulled up in front of the Suisei dealership. The building wasn’t very big, but it looked modern with tall glass structures and wooden accents. As the entered the dealership a younger gentleman greeted them. He then showed them the Yari Hime G6.
First impressions were good. The salesperson then continued to show them around the car.
After the tour was over he gave them the keys and off they went. They pulled out of the dealership onto the main road. As he was driving Leon noticed how well it handled and how fast it actually was. He put his foot down, the gearbox downshifted, the engine revved and soon they were overtaking. Automatic gearbox shifted well, it wasn’t too indecisive around the city. The suspension also felt refined and comfortable. Leon was satisfied with how the car drove. As Leon drove Flora inspected the interior. Interior materials felt plush and premium. Seats were comfortable and very adjustable. However, she wasn’t particularly happy with the infotainment. This particular trim level doesn’t come with SatNav, only a pixelated radio screen and a CD player, but it does have dual-zone climate control. After they returned to the dealership. They decided to check out the boot. A nasty surprise was waiting for them. The boot is small, it is only a 100L bigger than their A3’s.
“Well, It is a good start. It looks nice, elegant and contemporary, drives well enough and it has got enough punch and it is almost two thousand euros under the budget” said Leon. “Agreed, but the boot is small, equipment isn’t any better than in our Audi nor is it that much safer,” pointed out Flora.
@HybridTronny - Atera Proton LX
Next up was Atera Proton LX. Altera has its a dealership in West Charlouis, which meant Leon and Flora had to drive across the city. When they finally arrived a younger gentleman greeted them. Flora informed the younger gentleman that they have scheduled a test drive for the Proton. After they have filled out some forms and basic features of the car have been shown, they went for the test drive.
Pulling out of the dealership, Leon noticed how much the steering was lighter than in the Suisei. The steering in Proton is very light and there isn’t much feedback from the tires. After navigating through an industrial area of West Charlouis, they noticed that the ride is very compliant and decently comfortable. When merging on the overpass, Leon had to bury his foot in the carpet for the car to achieve sufficient speed to merge, short merge rump didn’t help. This was the most uncomfortable part of the test drive. Engine vibrated quite a lot and at higher revs engine noise could have been heard in the cabin. However, when everything settled the sailing was comfortable. There wasn’t too much wind or tire noise. Interior materials don’t feel very premium, but they feel very well screwed together. This particular model of Proton had a small screen with SatNav fitted. Even though the screen is small, Flora found it very easy to use. Then Flora started looking around for cubbies and other storage solutions. In the glove box, she found the efficiency chart. Flora noticed that this Proton emits a lot of carbon dioxide and that will be expensive to tax. When they returned to the dealership, Leon decided to check out space in the rear. He wasn’t impressed, nor was Flora when she discovered that the boot of the Atera isn’t much bigger than the A3’s and the opening isn’t as large, because it is a sedan.
“Leon, I’m not sure about this one. It ain’t much than our current car and it will be expensive to run due to high emissions,” concerningly said Flora. “You are right, I prefer the Suisei,” agreed Leon.
@vero94773 & @Dragawn - Edison Radius Premium
Edison dealer is next to the Atera dealer, so Leon and Flora decided to walk over. Entering the showroom they saw the car they were here for. They were greeted by the manager, who gave them the brief overview of the car. At the first glance Leon and Flora weren’t sold on the design, but the test drive might change their mind.
Before they drove off, Leon decided to check the boot and the back seats. He took a look and noticed that the Radius was the most spacious car so far. While Leon was checking out the practicality and the space on offer, Flora took the keys and sat behind the wheel. She inspected the interior. Flora thought that the materials are nice, that it is very easy to find a perfect driving position, however she wasn’t the biggest fan of the interior styling, it is very practical, but lacks style. After Leon bucked up, they drove off. Straight up they noticed that the Edison was much quieter than any of the cars they tested so far. They also found that Edison dealt with broken road surfaces much better than Proton and that it rode nicely. She noticed that you have to press the accelerator quite firmly if you want to overtake or just merge. Suisei outperforms it in the driving characteristics and performance department. Leon commented that this trim level does not come with SatNav, there is just a radio unit and some storage beneath it. When changing lanes Flora noticed a red warning triangle in the mirror, this car was fitted with blind spot monitoring. She also noticed that there wasn’t as much wind or tire noise as in the other two. Upon returning from the test drive they discussed Edison Radius.
“I have to admit, Edison is very comfortable, safe and economical…”said Flora. “There is plenty of space, boot is huge,” interrupted Leon. “But, the design just doesn’t do it for me. Both Suisei and Atera are better looking cars,” continued Flora.
@Aaron.W - Tanaka Azalea 2.4 GL Wagon
Tanaka Azalea was next up and coincidentally Tanaka dealership is just across the road. The Tanaka dealership looked imposing, with a big Tanaka sign, blue pillars in front of the showroom and other blue details. It was the biggest dealership they entered so far. They were immediately greeted by a young woman named Irma. After introducing themselves and saying why they were here, Irma showed them the Azalea Wagon. She quickly showed them the features and gave them the keys.
Flora took the wheel once again. The moment she started driving she noticed how much bigger Azalea is compared to the Edison. It is a class bigger car. The size difference was further proven by the amount of space on offer. It has a bigger boot and more cabin space, in front and in the back. Second thing Flora noticed was the comfort and interior materials in general. The fit and finish felt good but overall materials not so much. It too didn’t have SatNav, only radio with a small pixelated screen, a CD player and Bluetooth connectivity. Tanaka feels like it was built to last. The engine feels like that for sure. Flora thought that it felt robust and torquay. It could overtake with no problem, even in 6th gear. It too has blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning. However, Azalea is a bit harder to drive, especially around the city. It is a much larger car than anything they have driven so far. Size is something they will have to get used to. Leon as a passenger had only one complaint. Azalea isn’t as comfortable as the previous cars. It is noisier at speeds and the ride wasn’t as smooth as was in the others. They returned the car and walked away satisfied with how it went.
“Tanaka is a big and robust car, plenty of space for us and for the luggage, there is enough performance and it is decently refined,” commented Leon. “Agreed, it is also safe and I like the design, admittedly it is a bit anonymous, but I like how it looks,” said Flora.
@thecarlover - RCM Carabine 2.0 DX
RCM doesn’t have a dealer in Rotterdam, but there is an independent dealer who specializes in importing American cars. Upon arriving at the dealer, Flora and Leon noticed a few big pick-ups and a yellow sports car, parked in front of the store. When they entered they were greeted by a salesperson, who showed them the Carabine. He gave them a very detailed tour of the vehicle. He then gave them the keys and went with them on the test drive.
When exiting the parking lot Leon noticed that the steering was very light and easy to work with but as they accelerated steering became heavier. On the road Carabine has good driving characteristics, it doesn’t roll too much and it doesn’t have any obvious blind spots although the suspension is a bit stiff. This was especially noticeable when driving on the cobbled streets. Leon also found the car to be sluggish. Automatic gearbox shifted nicely and it wasn’t indecisive when it needed to kick down, but the engine just wasn’t as punchy as was in other cars they tested. Quality and the materials are on the level with Tanaka’s. Robust with some premium touches here and there. The radio unit is similar as well, maybe a little bit easier to use due to the larger buttons. RCM is a very practical car, it has a lot of smart storage solutions, like the storage space underneath the front seats, to add it has a big boot and a lot of space for passengers. While driving Leon noticed that the fuel consumption wasn’t excellent. The trip computer was showing 8.3l/100km, which is around the same the manufacturer claims it will do, but is noticeable more than the rest of the cars they tested. Salesperson also explained that this particular RCM Carabine falls into the higher tax bracket due to its emissions. After returning to the dealership Flora took one more look around the car and then they left.
“I like the design, it looks robust,” said Flora. “True, but I find Tanaka as a more substantial car. However, emissions and fuel consumption worry me, I am afraid that it will be more expensive to run than I would like it to be,” commented Leon.
@Xepy - Kaufman Omni 1.8t
The rest of the cars were located in De Esch. Arriving at the Kaufman dealer they were surprised by the amount of cars in stock, they barely found a parking space. They decided to have their afternoon coffee while taking a look at Omni. Entering the Kaufman showroom they were greeted by a man in his 40s. He took them to the lounge and discussed the Kaufman Omni. After Flora and Leon drunk their coffee and the tour of the car was over, they headed on the test drive.
Leon drove this time. When turning on the main road from the dealer he hit a speed bump. The car just glided over it. Leon thought something broke because of the speed he carried when he hit the speed bump, but nothing was broken. They continued with the test drive. After a variety of situations, from broken and uneven road surfaces to emergency braking there was nothing to report. Omni dealt with all the situations very well. Engine had plenty of grunt for overtaking and merging on the bypass. Flora thought that the Omnis interior materials are very nice and so is the design. Overall build quality isn’t as good as in the RCM, but it still feels solid. Infotainment isn’t any better than in the rest of the cars they tested. Radio with bluetooth connectivity and a CD player. Seats are leather with some cloth inserts. In general the interior feels nice and easy to use. When they stopped under the overpass on the red light the headlights automatically turned on. Leon really liked that feature. After they returned to the dealership and parked they decided to check out the practicality of the Omni. They soon found out that the boot is very big and that they could both sit comfortably in the second row.
“I am struggling to see any faults with this one. The design is nice, I really like the front,” admitted Leon. “Mhm,” nodded Flora. “It is spacious, very comfortable, safe, and practical,” I think we found a first real contender.
@variationofvariables - Quezon Custom Built 2.4 SE-LITE 4x4
Quezon has its dealership next to the Kaufmanns. However, its dealership feels more niche. There are less cars on the display and it is smaller overall. Immediately after entering the dealership they were met by an older woman. It turns out she was the manager of the dealership. She was very friendly. Flora asked about the car and the scheduled test drive. Manager showed them around the car and gave them the keys of the Quezon Custom Built 2.4 SE-LITE 4x4.
Flora and Leon were just standing and admiring it from all angles. Flora unlocked it and climbed in. She was taken back by the interior. It looked very utilitarian, yet plush and premium. Seats felt very nice, comfortable, with a lot of adjustment. She pressed the brake and started the engine. She expected it to have an utilitarian engine, rough and tough, but she was pleasantly surprised when she learnt that the engine is actually a quite advanced turbocharged unit, not that that actually meant a lot to her. On the road it handled as you would expect. Some body roll and noise from the big tires, but it felt comfortable. Engine was responsible and had enough grunt and the transmission was smooth. It was harder to drive than the rest because of its size and the 4x4 drivetrain, it just required her to get used to the size. Leon fiddled with the infotainment while Flora was driving. Quezon has a standard unit. Nothing too special, small screen with some basic information about the radio station, temperature outside and the time. Happy with how it drove, they returned to the dealership and checked out the practicality. There aren’t a lot of clever storage solutions, but it gets most of the points back with the enormous boot and a lot of space for the passenger.
“Huh, another one,” exhaled Flora. “Yeah, this was is also very good and I must say I really like the styling,” admitted Leon
@CriticalSet9849 - Joyeux Appartenir
Joyeux Appartenir was the last car on the list. Joyeux dealership is just across the road from the Quezons. It also felt niche. Small with not a lot of cars on display, but a lot more people were looking at the cars than at Quezon. Leon and Flora looked around and were approached by a young man. They explained why they were there for. The young man quickly showed them the car, explained some of the key features and gave them the keys.
The night has fallen, it started getting colder outside. Leon and Flora quickly sat in the car and turned on the heating and the heated seats. Leon started the car and turned onto the main road. The first thing that caught Leon’s eye were the instruments. Unlike all the cars they tested, Joyeux had digital instruments which were quite configurable. Flora was equally impressed by the amount of clever storage spaces. One underneath the seat other behind the radio unit and the centre console that moved. She also noticed that the engine is very quiet and that the noise isolation on the haul was very good. However it didn’t absorb the bumps as good as the Edison nor was it as refined. The infotainment was the same as in all other cars. Basic pixelated screen showing basic information. Since it was starting to get late they returned to the dealership, quickly checked out the boot, which was big enough, should fit all the stuff they are ought to be carrying in a month or two.
“Look, I like Appartenir, it is very stylish and it disguises its MPV origins very well,” commented Flora. “I agree, it is a good car, maybe not as comfortable as some, but it is damm practical,” said Leon
RANKINGS
After a week of deciding which was the best car for them, they settled on Kaufmann Omni 1.8t. It offers a perfect balance between practicality, running costs, comfort and performance. Yes, it might not look outrageous stylish unlike the Joyeux or distinctive as Quezon, but it has its fair share of stylistic design elements that make it look modern and contemporary. It was such a tough choice, it really was - so many cars were not only similar in stats, but also engine choice and tuning. It genuinely was a lot of thinking
So, Congratulations @Xepy!
The Top 8:
- @Xepy
- @variationofvariables
- @CriticalSet9849
- @Aaron.W
- @vero94773 & @Dragawn
- @thecarlover
- @Falling_Comet
- @HybridTronny
Thanks for letting me host 
.
Sorry for the grammar and spelling mistakes, I really tried to push this out as fast as I could.
31 Likes
That might explain why the Omni lived up to its name by covering all bases, and nailing the clients’ brief better than the other finalists - enough to claim a close but well-deserved win.
No doubt this was an entertaining round to enter and/or follow, and one that was thankfully devoid of salt, much to my relief. I wonder what the next CSR will bring? Whatever it is, I just hope it doesn’t disappoint.