Small cars appeared in the periodeconomic stagnation of the second half of the twentieth century, when gasoline prices rose steadily, the maintenance of luxury cars became more expensive, and even the D class cars (large family cars) and C (average European) cars were expensive.
Demand
Gradually formed customer demand forB-class cars with an economical engine capacity from 1.1 to 1.4 liters, with a capacity of 48 - 56 hp, which consumed only 5-6 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers in city mode. Segment B cars are compact and subcompact models with a length of 3.7 to 4.3 meters, maneuverable and dynamic. The dimensions of the small car were the main criterion that contributed to its popularity among broad segments of buyers. The car took a minimum of parking space, it could "squeeze" anywhere. In the design bureaus of some automakers, there were even attempts to improve the already decent parking properties of small cars by imparting turning functions to the rear wheels. However, nothing happened, since the driver in this case required completely different skills.
Models
Some of the most popular small car brands are:
- Daewoo Matiz - produced by the South Korean company Daewoo Motors;
- Ford Fiesta - manufactured by Ford Motor Company, USA;
- Mini Cooper - produced by the German automobile concern BMW;
- Toyota Yaris - the car of the Japanese company "Toyota";
- Kia Picanto - South Korean manufacturer 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 car company Suzuki;
- Seat Ibiza - produced by the Spanish company "Seat";
- Skoda Fabia - the car of the Czech manufacturer Skoda.
Small cars for women
All major car manufacturers, along withthe main products are small-segment cars of segment B. And already in this category a number of models oriented to women are formed. Criteria for choosing a car for the fair sex are quite expected: it is a beautiful, spectacular exterior of the car, a fantastic throttle response (from a place at a gallop) and, of course, efficiency. In the first place in the ranking of the most popular "female" cars is Peugeot 207, a miniature Frenchman. Second place went to "Honda Jazz", a stylish Japanese left-hand drive. In third place is a nice “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 stylish Mini Cooper, which took place in the tail just because of its high price, otherwise be the first.
Small cars whose prices arerange from 500 thousand (Ford Fiesta) to 1 million 450 thousand rubles (Mini Cooper) can be bought at any Moscow auto show if you have a model on sale or on order. Each model is completed at the request of the buyer.
Baby car Daewoo Matiz
This is a city front wheel drive compact car.Available since 1997, has several modifications. The three-cylinder engine of 0.8 liters, capacity of 45 liters. with., the maximum speed - 160 km / h. The model repeatedly became the leader of sales, enjoys deserved popularity. It is reliable, inexpensive to operate.
Car "Ford Fiesta"
Субкомпактный автомобиль В-класса, начало Production accounted for 1976. It is one of the most popular in the automotive market, from 1976 to the present, more than 26 million copies have been sold. The name "Fiesta" machine gave personally Henry Ford II, president of Ford Motor Company. Ford Fiesta is equipped with a gasoline engine in several versions or a turbo diesel. The length of the car is 3950 mm.
Baby Mini Cooper
The model is developed by British corporation BritishMotor 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 factories in Birmingham and Oxford, then production expanded, and Cooper began to roll off the assembly line in Longbridge and Cowley. In 2000, a model with all the documentation was sold to the German concern BMW.
Toyota Yaris
The car has been produced since 1998 and hasmany advantages compared with other models of the same class. About Toyota Yaris say that he is "inside more than the outside," his cabin is spacious and comfortable. The power plant - liter engine capacity of 68 liters. with., manual transmission. The car differs in ease of management, stability on turns and good maneuverability. Body length - 3885 millimeters.
Baby Car Kia Picanto
Kia Picanto - the smallest model in the lineup"Kia Motors". However, the car is a full-fledged 5-door hatchback with good dynamics, which provides a fairly powerful three-cylinder engine. The car differs in a variety of complete sets: "Standard", "Standard plus", "Classic", "Comfort", "Suite". Body length - 3595 mm.
Level of comfort and safety
Small cars photo which are presented on the page, this is onlypart of the list. In fact, the models are much more, in different versions, trim levels and interior arrangement. Business-class subcompacts differ from their counterparts in expensive interiors, an abundance of all kinds of accessories, and an engine of increased power. Economy class cars, on the contrary, look more modest in terms of interior decoration, equipped with an economical engine, the package does not include expensive audio and video systems.
However, the level of security, both passive andactive, for all cars of segment B is the same. The ABS system is included in the basic package of all small cars, airbags and seat belts are standard equipment of the machine. Ergonomic parameters are also maintained at about the same level for all models.
The compact car needs to be chosen taking into accountits maneuverability, this criterion is quite important when driving through the city, especially in business matters. A car with a large turning radius is harder to park; the main advantage of a small car is its compactness - it can be lost if the model is slow. For a small car, the optimal turning radius is considered to be a value of not more than 5.6 and not less than 4.7 meters.
