Dolly the Sheep / Citroen test drives

Despite numerous protests from religious and public organizations, as well as from a huge number of ordinary people, in 1996 British scientists led by Ian Wilmut carried out the world's first cloning of a mammal, which became the well-known sheep Dolly, who, having aged prematurely, lived half as long as the "original".

In the same way, despite numerous protests from connoisseurs of the purity of the automotive "breed" and brand identity, cloning technology was resorted to even earlier in the automotive industry, and now more and more companies are resorting to unification and producing cars built on common platforms using common components and sometimes possessing striking external similarities.

The first serious attempt to build several cars of different brands on one common platform was in the mid-eighties a project called Tipo 4, which was to include Alfa Romeo 164, Fiat Croma, Lancia Thema and Saab 9000. That project fell apart successfully, and we got four completely different, little-unified cars. But time goes on, and unification is spreading its tentacles deeper and deeper.

In addition to the use of common components and assemblies within one large concern (a striking example is VW, Audi, Skoda, SEAT and even Lamborghini), joint projects of independent companies are increasingly common. An excellent example of this kind of cooperation is the very popular "triplet twins" Peugeot 107, Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo. The trick, as they say, worked, and the PSA concern decided to repeat it, this time using a car from another Japanese manufacturer, Mitsubishi Motor Company, as a donor. Thus, the long and well-known Outlander XL has two "cloned" twin brothers, almost indistinguishable from each other - Peugeot 4007 and Citroen C-Crosser.

Moreover, the irony of fate is that not so long ago, in the 90s, Citroen, through its original off-road vehicle ZX Rally Raid, defeated Mitsubishi in the Rally-Raid Cup, winning 36 victories in 42 races and taking five titles in a row. However, times change, and with them priorities change. We set off to reflect on all this and get acquainted with the new product from Citroen in the picturesque surroundings of the future capital of the Olympics - the city of Sochi.

While waiting for the keys to the cars, there is time to appreciate the few external metamorphoses. From the side and rear, the C-Crosser exactly copies its brothers (or sisters - after all, it's a "sheep"), but its main difference is put on display - it is a different design of the "facade" than that of its platform mates, so from the front it is recognizable without a doubt. Apparently, after the designers were allowed to work only on the front part, imposing a taboo on everything else, they decided to make up for it here to the fullest.

The signature "double chevron", spread across the entire width of the "face", the fancy-shaped lighting and the "smile" of the huge air intake gave the crossover's appearance a touch of French charm. A magnificent addition is the stunningly beautiful 18-inch alloy wheels in the Exclusive version. Perhaps it can be said that of the three "clones", Citroen seems the most successful. The bland-looking Outlander XL and the "fish-like" 4007 clearly lose to it. We give a "plus". But finally I have the key in my hands, we can hit the road along the Sochi serpentines. And along the way, let's see what's new in the interior.

I get behind the wheel and immediately realize that the designers were not allowed inside at all. Only one, particularly zealous, broke through and managed to stick the brand emblem on the steering wheel hub. Otherwise, the C-Crosser is an exact copy of the same Mitsubishi Outlander XL. There is no difference! Both the seats, and the instrument wells, and the narrow information display, and the climate control knobs, and even the "wheel" for selecting transmission modes - everything is taken from the "Japanese" without any modifications. It's a pity, of course, that there is so little of its own. After all, we know that the French know how to make very original interiors, and for little money.

You don't have to look far for examples. Remember at least the C4 or Picasso - they have no shortage of individuality. Maybe the quality of the trim has changed? And here it's a miss. All materials are no better than those used on the XL or 4007. The same simplicity and the same quality. No, they are by no means bad, but the lack of any kind of zest cannot but upset. And it is unlikely that the additional two folding seats in the trunk, supplied already in the basic configuration (for Mitsubishi this is an option), can play this role. How often do you have to drive a mid-size SUV with seven people? It seems to me the answer is obvious - no, that's not the "salt" of such cars. And it's cramped there, in the gallery, even for children, not to mention tall passengers. Moreover, it's a bit stiff - these seats are really for the most extreme case.

The French say they have significantly improved sound insulation. Here not everything is so clear-cut. The engine is very well isolated from the interior space. It is barely audible even at high revs, and you can understand that the engine is already running only by the revived instruments. Silence and grace. But the noise from the road - tire rolling, pebbles hitting the arches - in my opinion, has not decreased. So why should a picky buyer choose the C-Crosser instead of the already year-selling Outlander XL? Is it really only for one pretty "face"? Of course, many choose a car by appearance, but Citroen has prepared something else.

The main thing is that the French car will be available with a 2.2-liter HDi turbodiesel in combination with a 6-speed manual. This engine of its own design is the pride of Citroen. A truly modern, powerful (160 hp), torquey (300 Nm), environmentally friendly, economical and quiet diesel. HDi engines have always been good, but they were never officially supplied to Russia for a reason known to everyone - the poor quality of diesel fuel. And here, not only did they decide, but they also equip the unit with a particulate filter. Let me remind you that the vast majority of cars supplied to Russia are deprived of the particulate filter - due to the large amount of settling solid particles, it quickly becomes clogged and fails. How did PSA specialists get out of this situation? They came up with a special FAP system that automatically burns off unburned particles. As soon as the system receives a signal from the filter sensors about the need for its "cleaning", fuel is injected into the channel and within twenty minutes at a temperature of more than 450 degrees, the settled soot particles are completely burned out. The filter is again like new and ready to work. Well, in the future we will see how these engines perform in our conditions. In any case, the presence of a diesel version is another, already big "plus".

In the meantime, we only have versions with a 2.4-liter "four" and a CVT, that is, again with the same filling as the Outlander XL. This combination can be assessed as necessary and sufficient. Quite sufficient for most "civilian" situations. There is no better place to test all vehicle systems than mountain serpentine roads. Combined with dirt country crossings, you couldn't find a better testing ground. The cozy and multifaceted Krasnaya Polyana is perfect for a first acquaintance.

We set off. The engine pulls well from almost the very bottom, and the CVT creates the illusion of "steppedness", increasing engine revs gradually and almost eliminating tedious howling. The dynamics, of course, are moderate, but quite at the level of most "ordinary" cars. And it's unlikely anyone will race behind the wheel of the C-Crosser, although you can try. Here the "racing" paddle shifters behind the steering wheel will come to the rescue. By the way, they are made of anodized aluminum, not stamped plastic, and create an impression of solidity and reliability.

By manually shifting the "virtual" gears of the CVT, you can give the car driver-like habits - quickly break ahead on overtaking and get away, or, entering another turn, slow down without touching the brake pedal. The mountain road is diverse and unpredictable. Left, right, up, down, sometimes slowing down and barely holding the car on the descent, sometimes accelerating on flat sections... In general, a wide variety of modes to test the operation of both the engine, transmission, and steering. Good handling, one must assume, along with the platform, Citroen also inherited from Mitsubishi. The precise tuning of the steering is admirable.

The car enters the steepest bends and turns without additional course correction by steering, and with excessive driver enthusiasm or recklessness, the electronic system will timely stop the incipient drift of the front wheels and correct the direction of movement. The suspension settings have been slightly changed - made more European, and therefore the ride smoothness has become more comfortable, although at the same time the handling has retained its precision and transparency. True, there is one small but, and it applies to the top version - Exclusive.

No words, on large and beautiful eighteen-inch wheels and low-profile tires in this version, the C-Crosser looks great, handles excellently, and on smooth asphalt in terms of comfort and ride smoothness, the ability to resist wave-like rocking and rolls, it can compare with a solid passenger car! But, as soon as it leaves the highway or gets onto a country road, all road joints and breaks, cracks and potholes will respond harshly and loudly in the car's interior. For off-road, the Comfort version with "shoes" on sixteen-inch wheels and high-profile tires would still be more appropriate. And yet, according to the above indicators, the C-Crosser can safely be called one of the best among "crossover SUVs".

So what's the result? Undoubtedly, the Citroen C-Crosser is the real "Dolly the sheep", the fruit of genetic cloning of the Japanese platform and body. But at the same time, our "sheep" also underwent plastic surgery on its "face" and received a new diesel "heart". This may be quite enough to arouse interest in the French SUV. And given how popular the Outlander XL is with us, Citroen is quite capable of selling the planned 2500 units of the C-Crosser this year.

Photo: Alexander Goryunov