4Stroke Rumen
Anyway, Roumen Antonov claims to have successfully completed the certification tests for his Rumen. Ranked in the "small series" category (less than 500 copies), the Rumen did not have recourse to a destructive crash test. On the other hand, pollution tests are an obligation. They were passed with flying colors thanks to the original PSA/Toyota powertrain. The Rumen has the 3 "legs" with 4 valves per cylinder developing 68 hp at 6000 rpm and 93 Nm of torque at 3600 rpm. He is in the rear central position and the car becomes a propulsion. This engine is equipped with a VVT variable valve timing which contributes to the very good performance of the engine. Its consumption of 4.6 l/100 km recorded on the Citroën C1 weighing around 800 kg will be significantly improved on the Rumen which will not exceed 600 kg on the scale. The running gear derives closely from the Peugeot 107 with a few adaptations, in particular the design of the rear axle taken from the brain of Roumen Antonov. Like everything else! Surprisingly, the front track much wider than the rear accentuates the curiosity of passers-by inevitably attracted by the Rumen.The advantage of a large series mechanics is to be able to have all the electronic fittings that go with it. Thus the Rumen offers ABS (for the record, R.Antonov mocks knowing that a Spyker of more than 200,000 euros is not equipped with it!) But also the electronic brake force distribution EBS. Anyway, with 4 disc brakes and only 600 kg, the car will never be faulted in this area. As on the trio of original Franco-Japanese city cars, the 5-speed manual gearbox will be available.
The beige leather interior, embellished with chrome, aluminum and wood is a model of visual warmth. The large “old era” wooden steering wheel makes you unconsciously hold it at 8:20. It's automotive imagery from the 1930s to 1950s stuck in a corner of your cortex that suddenly resurfaces. The interior space equivalent to that of an Audi A3 does not yet have the exemplary finish of a production model, but nothing is really open to criticism. You will just be criticized for ergonomics to be refined to prevent the right knee from bumping into the gear lever in curves on the left and black stalks which denote a little in this warm universe.
The body made of polyester inserted in a tubular frame does not yet meet the final specifications and the soundproofing has not yet been the subject of a study. The small 3-cylinder rests in a box covered in red leather behind the seats. Not enough for it to be forgotten or appreciated. Either it will be necessary to work on the sound to "ennoble it", or it will have to be completely soundproofed.
Even if an option can increase the power to almost 110 hp thanks to a compressor, the Rumen should not be considered as a sports car but as a Grand Touring in miniature. The suspension settings adopted are very flexible and offer quite surprising comfort on the rutted portions. The reduced weight of the machine also prevents it from "lying down" in curves, which in the end is not far from being the perfect compromise.
