The
engine of the lowest capacity thus far in the mid-sized segment holds
its own. The grille temperature got to as low as 5.13 deg C, third
overall. But circulation was disappointing despite the blower being
somewhat noisy.
17.04
MARUTI
ESTEEM VX Mpi
8th
Adequate
air-con performance with the speed of cooling carrying it to over
the Lancer in the rankings. The system is quite silent but loses out
on circulation. The grille temperature also got down pretty low.
17.27
MITSUBISHI
LANCER GLX
9th
Amongst
the quietest of the cars, having a relatively good circulation leading
to an even temperature spread in the cabin. The final temperature
was good too but it loses out to the Esteem in the cooling speed.
17.83
DAEWOO
NEXIA
10th
Now
we are coming to the cars awith disappointing air-con performance.
The Nexia gets beaten by its own little stablemate, the Matiz. The
Nexia does just about enough in all the parameters but scores highly
in the noise levels.
18.19
FORD
IKON 1.6 ZXI
11th
After
a good beginning and decent cooling during the first ten minutes,
the car turns in a disappointing performance. Perhaps it was the darkish
green colour of the two cars at the bottom of the mid-sizers that
counted against them.
20.85
OPEL
CORSA 1.4 GLS
12th
The
blower was very noisy and the gush of wind from the vents was strong
but the grille temperatures averaged over 20 deg C even during the
last ten minutes of the test. We did not expect such a huge difference
in the performance of the Corsas.
14.63
MERCEDES-BENZ
E220 CDI
The
grille temperatures in the E-class cars were right at the top of the
rankings as were the final average cabin temperatures. The air-con
system is very quiet but despite vents for the rear, circulation was
a little disappointing
.
June 2001