Compared with the popularity of SUVs in the domestic market, MPVs are much more commonplace. Even in the segment of business MPV, Buick GL8 stands out. However, there is a real market demand for commercial MPVs priced between 200,000 and 300,000 yuan. It is not only SAIC-GM, but now Jiangling Ford, SAIC Maxus and even GAC Trumpchi are all targeting this untapped market. It's just that everyone can't get around to play the role of a challenger, and our protagonist Ford Turio is one. Ford's introduction of this European MPV is aimed at this piece of the business commuter market.
When my colleague and I got this Tourrio, my colleague was hooded: Isn't this a commercial vehicle? Indeed, it is close to the height of 2 meters, and the body lines of the square van model are not the same as those of the MPV we are familiar with.
That's right, Toureo is obviously different from those MPV models built on the car platform. This is precisely because it deliberately added the "European" in its propaganda. To put it simply, it is to use one model platform to develop two types of passenger-carrying MPV and cargo-carrying utility vehicles. This is quite common in Europe. First, it can quickly realize the transformation of product roles, and second, it can greatly reduce R&D costs. Europeans have long been accustomed to this, not just Ford, including Volkswagen, and even the tall Mercedes-Benz. It is in this development context that Toureo is an MPV for business transfers developed by Ford Design Center Europe.
In this way, it is easy to understand why the MPV that is targeted for business use by Turrio looks like a commercial vehicle. Although it is not easy for domestic users to accept this, it has formed a differentiated competition from GL8 for business purposes.
What exactly is this difference? Some people say it is luxurious. After all, in terms of configuration, GL8 looks much higher-end than Toureo, such as: large area of ​​wood veneer, leather material-wrapped center console panel, etc., these are not Tourrio It can be compared, but this is just superficial effort, and the root lies in product positioning. Obviously Ford knows that it is fighting head-to-head with GL8 for the conventional business market. In the case that the market cake is not large enough and the brand effect of GL8 is too strong, Toureo can not take much advantage. Instead of this, it is better to take advantage of the large space of Turioo and push it to the market segment for business commuting.
In this way, everything is clear. Sit in the back row of Toureo Europe, and you will realize the difference in usage from GL8. With a width of 2032 millimeters, the third row is sufficient for three "front seats", and a wide aisle can also be left between the two seats in the second row. In addition to the height of 1990 millimeters, rear passengers get on and off It seems very easy and convenient. This is something that ordinary MPV cannot do.
In this way, the last two rows are filled with 5 passengers at the same time, it can be a commonplace meal for Toureo, and even long-distance business commuting is also stress-free, and there is enough space for luggage. Those who know GL8 know that the utilization rate of its 7 seats is actually not high. The fundamental reason is that its internal space is not large enough, so that more users regard it as a business class for private use. From the perspective of business commuting needs at the corporate level, Tureo has naturally formed a functional dislocation with the GL8, and its competitors are close to the entry-level Vito of Fujian Benz. Of course, it will not take the GL8 seriously. Inside.
Speaking of driving experience, this Toureo is completely different from the MPVs such as Odyssey and GL8 that we usually touch. Simply put, this is a kind of experience of driving a big car. The reason is simple, one is high and the other is wide. Due to the high design of the entire body of the Turio Europe, and its high driving posture, the tilt angle of the steering wheel and the position of the seat are completely different from those of ordinary cars, which is very similar to driving a commercial vehicle. However, this high sitting position actually makes you not tired when driving, because the body is no longer curled up in the seat, even the width of the body, the driving mood will be pleasant and comfortable because of the extra wide field of vision in the front row. .
To be honest, Turrio's flexibility really surprised me. With a length of 4976 mm and a wheelbase of 2933 mm, it is only a bit longer than the Alice, but not as large as the GL8. I thought that a car with such a big visual experience would definitely be cumbersome to drive (this is the case with many MPVs of the same type of independent brands), but the reality is not the case. At the time of its development, it was clear that Ford’s DNA should be maintained to highlight the driving experience, so the scale of driving experience and riding experience was inclined to the former at the beginning.
As in overseas markets, Turio Europe only provides a combination of diesel power and manual transmission. When entering the country, Ford replaced it with a 2.0T Ecoboost gasoline engine, which can be said to be unique to the Chinese market. This 2.0T engine drives a Turio with a curb weight equivalent to two Volkswagen POLOs. The power performance is nothing. It feels like driving a Mondeo. The acceleration will be very strong. If you want to overtake at high speed, it is completely It can be overtaken without hesitation. The 6-speed automatic transmission is also provided in response to the needs of the Chinese market. The shift logic is very clever and can accurately select the appropriate gear according to the driver's demand for power.
As for the ride comfort, there is still a certain gap between it and GL8 at this point, although in order to achieve a balance of comfort, Jiangling Ford installed a set of RAS air springs for its rear suspension, which is again The unique configuration of the Chinese market has greatly improved the comfort of the rear seat. But the unsatisfactory places also exist, including the texture of the chassis and the performance of NVH, which are not so high-end.
summary:As far as Turio is concerned, it is also a new model for the domestic market, and there is no product that is absolutely right. The similar ones are Mercedes-Benz Vito and Volkswagen Metroway. However, whether it is brand or luxury level, They are all up to the same level as the Touruiol. Although the prices of self-owned commercial MPVs overlap with it, most of the models are developed based on the commercial vehicle platform, whether it is technical quality, driving quality, and rich configuration. The degree is not on the same level as it.
Obviously, in the domestic MPV market, even the GL8, which focuses on business, has more than 50% of home users. However, as far as Toureo is concerned, most home users who want to buy an "unfashionable" MPV may still not be able to get it, and even for the needs of private cars, it is a little bit less luxurious in creating a sense of luxury. meaning. However, Tureo has aimed at meeting the needs of business reception by all its functions and configuration options. For enterprises, this low-key and practical model can be regarded as a major task, plus the price is equivalent to the eighth of the GL8 with the same configuration. The level of discount, such a value manifestation, the effect is really not bad.
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