Lifan x60
Lifan x60 Lifan x60
Of course, the "Lifanovites" call the x60 their own development, but the genesis of the model is more prosaic - the second-generation Toyota RAV4 model was taken as the design basis. Apparently, unofficially: Lifan has no legal relationship with the Japanese company, and the Chinese imitate the Chinese at their own risk. But it would be rash to call x60 a copy of RAV4. Rather, it is a “plot based on motives”: the structural layout is similar to RAV4, but the dimensions are changed, as well as the general aesthetics of the car.
Lifan x60
Lifan x60 Lifan x60
Lifan x60 - a car with a supporting body and a transverse arrangement of the power unit. The engine is new, with a volume of 1.8 liters (133 hp), with a variable valve timing system. In the Chinese version, the phase shifter is denoted by the abbreviation VVT (Variable Valve Timing), which also echoes the “Toyota” development of VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence). The 1.8 VVT LFB479Q motor was made in collaboration with the English company RICARDO, which is even mentioned on the official website of the British. Many other structural details are also taken from European manufacturers, in particular from Bosch and Valeo. The Chinese are even proud of this, emphasizing the "new level of quality."
Lifan x60
The design of the x60 is quite typical for cars of this class: the front suspension is McPherson, the rear is an independent "multi-link", disc brakes on all wheels with 4-channel ABS. Rack and pinion steering, with hydraulic booster. The supports of the power unit are correctly selected, no vibrations are transmitted to the body and controls. Even the radiator of the air conditioner is mounted on the front beam not rigidly, but through additional dampers and is divided with foam rubber gaskets with the engine radiator. A trifle - but nice.
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Transmission - only a five-speed "mechanics", no CVT, no automatic transmission is provided. Unfortunately, there is no provision for all-wheel drive, they think about it, but there is no solution yet. It's expensive and goes beyond the conceptual framework of the x60 as an extremely cheap car. At the same time, the Chinese themselves already have the design of the rear axle drive through the viscous coupling, the only concern is the economy of the project. Now, the marketing of Lifan seems that the all-wheel drive version of the x60 may not be able to withstand competition.
Lifan x60
From this it is not difficult to deduce the market framework of the model: an urban SUV or even just a station wagon with increased ground clearance, in which there is more comfort, convenience and versatility than claims to conquer off-road. The interior is not made in Chinese quality, evenly, from good fabrics and plastics. There is a pungent smell in the new machines, but this is not phenolic excretions, but the “aroma” of glue and sealants, which quickly disappears. We got used to the smell after half an hour getting to know the car.
Lifan x60
The front panel architecture is simpler than Toyota, for example, the Chinese did not reproduce the spectacular glove compartment with a sliding cover located in the Toyota between the passenger airbag and the main glove box. Others here are the center console and the instrument panel. About RAV4 recalls only a similar arrangement of deflectors and "twists" of climate control. The transformation of the cabin is beyond praise: the rear seat can be folded separately and completely, while the pillows recline forward and the backs lie on the floor, forming an almost flat area. For rear passengers there is a large folding armrest with two cup holders. More details: a 12-volt outlet in the armrest box at the front riders, cup holders in all side doors, a small folding niche to the left of the driver.
Lifan x60
So far, the Lifan x60 is offered in two trim levels - LX and EX. The first - basic - includes two frontal airbags and ABS + EBD. Various pleasant trifles are added to the EX, such as a two-DVD DVD audio system with a large screen, a navigator and a visual parking assistant, a key with a remote trunk opener, a leather steering wheel, front seat belt pretensioners, climate control.
The Lifan Motors testing ground, on which it was proposed to test new crossovers, is not very suitable for a full-fledged test drive, to say the least: it is extremely compact, representing only the road with three types of bumps and one “driving” hairpin turn. Therefore, about what x60 is in motion, so far we can only speak approximately.
Lifan x60
Own weight of the crossover - 1330 kg, which is comparable to a conventional C-class car. Therefore, the engine is 133 hp "Lifan" is more or less enough. The Chinese have not yet shown a graph of the dependence of torque on revolutions, but it is obvious that the maximum output motor reaches about 4, 500 rpm.
Lifan x60
The first two gears are quite short and fast, and the third long, with a claim to efficiency. With a fairly “sharp” steering wheel (a little more than 3 revolutions from lock to lock), the steering wheel lacks sensitivity. The steering position at “zero” is unclear and there is not enough feedback. This does not add confidence in high-speed maneuvering.
Lifan x60
Third gear, about 4000 revolutions, “gas to the floor” - and at the apex the engine begins to calm down: it lacks traction. In general, the Lifan x60 has a weak handling character, unsuitable for active driving. But economical urban movement is its element. Hence the excellent fuel consumption rate: 8.2 liters per 100 km (according to the passport). The 1.8 VVT engine is the only one in the Lifan range to be controlled by an electronic gas pedal and complies with Euro-4 standards.
