Fast, very practical and now, with very low consumption. Honda Civic, Opel Astra and Peugeot 308 aspire to burst the market with its new 1.6 Diesel versions. Which is better?

From 120 140 CV and only 1.6 liters displacement. It is X-Ray engine and drink today Diesel sale heart in the mass market segments … and they are betting compact completely our three protagonists today. Reason, for example, Honda has renewed its Civic awareness sportier with new details, a set-point revised and more technology … but without touching a blade from his only 1.6 i-DTEC Diesel 120 hp engine. Released just 2 years ago, this engine ended up “eating” even higher 2.2 i-DTEC 150 hp.

Following the example thus Renault and its pioneering 1.6 dCi 130 hp, we can say that it was perhaps so Honda manufacturer fastest reacted to the perfect balance of a new intermediate version of an offer that until recently unfolded among smaller 1.6 Diesel up to 110 hp and larger 2.0 minimum 140. why spend more effort today? Everything is now summarized in a so that discourage good performance in these media segments look up potential, and a such low consumption (All move in just 5 l / 100 km real) that You also see lower profitability versions which, if any (not always), just suppose savings of between 500 and 1,000 €. Definitely not compensate.

New PSA BlueHDi

Well aware of its importance, many brands add this offer today. If first was Opel who presented the new 1.6 CDTi 136 hp (1.6 Diesel strongest segment, only surpassed in the market for two new twin turbo 1.6 160 hp recently mounted by larger Espace and CR-V), is now Peugeot who raises another small step with its new 1.6 BlueHDi, now with 120 hp. To mark represents the step Euro6, reducing up to 90% particulate and NOx emissions. The cleanest on the market, but now the most powerful: the answer is spectacular.

With more torque at low speeds even before this 1.6 BlueHDi is fine since only 1,000 rpm and stretches with great credit to more than slightly throughout his regime delivery to this day i-DTEC unbeatable 1.6 Honda Civic. Magnificent by the softness always feel and how full you perceive it, now emerges as the best engine in its class … but that, yes, Peugeot does not surround the best company. And, in an effort to also lower consumption, associates it with a manual 6-speed gearbox with longer developments remember: If it was before, now points to 10 percent. So much so that in 6th you’ll move just 1,800 rpm at 120 km / h… not even reach 2,200 to 150 km / h!

Good is this engine Peugeot 308 1.6 BlueHDi, and so little vibe from idle, which daily and placid conditions of use do not will move even well below 1,500 rpm big problem (another thing is what will suffer the engine, time will tell), but logically, adapts worse and is more demanding to adverse orographies, heavy traffic or specific needs maximum recovery. The conclusion is that these real situations have to move in a march less than usual … reason ends up consuming even more than before (forget the 0.6 l / 100 km average cut that promised its approval) without being able to stop the 1.6 i-DTEC Honda.

And, despite having to pull this 1.6 I-DTEC Honda Civic to a 70 kg heavier that he Peugeot 308, returns to be significantly faster and spend exactly like the brand-new engine PSA. Also entire aluminum, with minimal friction, good acoustics and a very linear delivery, This 1.6 i-DTEC Honda Civic is a combined, this yes, delight with some developments of change acertadísimos and they allow you to extract every situation the best answer. A motor / seamless change, also by touch, which certainly can not cope Opel’s big bet.

Because while the modern Astra 1.6 CDTi Opel finally makes mark the day refinement, assuming overcome roughness and noisiness of the previous block 1.7 CDTi, so is that it is neither as progressive or as forceful. You feel it engine always ‘all or nothing’, rivals approaching 2,000 rpm in response to the court, but paying a under much weaker regime (At 1,750 rpm I has a 20 percent less force) also charged by the ballast an Astra to 250 kg heavier. Malo, therefore it is not because a final consumption only 0.2 l / 100 km higher speaks of its high efficiency. But neither is so fine, not so fast. With a future new generation Opel Astra already announced for this coming September with a big weight savings, it should therefore be a good starting sure we surprise you with its good performance.

Comfort or sportiness

Rendimientoque, roadside, also you pay this and Today Opel veteran mode agility loss. We always liked this Astra, especially with a damping piloted able to keystroke, drop some body in extension and compression to provide good liking, or hold more in Sport mode to go on the attack. Safe and noble reactions, your problem and at the end of this cycle remains high mentioned weight … and the evolution of its rivals. Because, despite its good touch, jump today after a renewed Honda Civic sportier dye is up at least one level accuracy.

Although not modify platform, Honda gives today a point of firmness to the suspension of a Civic already home was not mushy. Added the tuning now a recalibrated steering and new functions of ESP which selectively applies braking to the individual wheels to gain agility and motor skills, This Civic is clearly superior to Astra. It is true that follows also moving more your body as we approach the limit of adhesion, but now offers a more immediate feel and precision guidance which, accompanied by a thick steering wheel and cortitos and firm paths change, it generates final sensations very stimulating. Although somewhat isolated rebotón and worse, the good news is that this Honda Civic is not uncomfortable.

Of course, Comfort speak here today is to do the Peugeot 308. The quality of a highly absorbent cushioning the French compact sum here about tires 225/55 R16 tighter that give a very comfortable response, and almost forgotten in modern cars usually with 17 inch rim, 18, 19 … How wonderful this Peugeot. It is also true that the limit rolling very feel a little drift, but compensates overall performance, in addition perfectly rhythmical up 308 which, though less direct than the Honda Civic, is then superb in isolation, liking and tread. A compact almost premium feel, with also very good address, albeit less rigorous change in their travels and a position of very special driving (remember, sobreelevado box and under and wheel smaller than usual) you’ll spend start not wanting to sit … surely not want to get off at the end.

Definitely, great response and performance three Compaccough with different final orientation, but also a same common point: he good space They are offering the three, where only Honda Civic finally breaks the deck by its modularity (It offers very practical rear seats that fold up if you have to carry high and very bulky items) and clear more and more functional trunk with the ability to load almost a minivan.