Chinese auto manufacturer Geely is expanding the range of passenger cars offered in the CIS. The autumn novelty of 2012 was the compact five-door hatchback of the European A-class - Geely LC (GC2 in some markets).
Designers from the Middle Kingdom, when developing the exterior of the compact, clearly drew inspiration from the animal kingdom. The car with its front part of the body strongly resembles a tree bear - a panda. Large "eyes" - headlights in the form of large rounded triangles in a black frame, "mouth" - a trapezoid of the air intake with smooth outlines, located on a large bumper with stylish U-shaped stamping and miniature fog lights.
The bio-design trend can be seen throughout the car's lines. It would seem that Jili LS is being promoted by Chinese marketers with a hint of Panda, but the participant in our review is not at all like Fiat Panda. As a role model, or rather copying, Geely's auto designers chose the Toyota Aygo. The cars are very similar in profile, and the dimensions of the wheelbase of 2340 mm are absolutely the same. So, we think that our readers will not have any questions about the originality of the appearance and design of the chassis of the car. But the Chinese car Geely LC / GC2 does not yet look as harmonious and correct as the Japanese original.
The profile of the car continues the theme of roundness and smooth lines of the front part of the body. But the size of the rear doors and their configuration is puzzling. Such a miniature doorway and sloping roof make the process of getting passengers into the rear seats uncomfortable. The rear is styled in a similar fashion to the "face" of the car. Large rounded side lights, large bumper with contrasting black plastic insert and foglights. The compact tailgate provides access to a miniature trunk with a high sill.
The car is equipped with tires 165/60 R14 on steel or aluminum alloy wheels of the 14th radius. The overall dimensions of the Jili LS compact hatchback are 3598 mm long, 1630 mm wide, 1465 mm high, and a ground clearance of 125 mm.
The salon of the Chinese baby is designed to carry four passengers, including the driver. Let's sit in the place of the potential owner, that is, behind the wheel. A plump "steering wheel" with three spokes and a slippery rim is adjustable in tilt angle, the dashboard with double radii of the tachometer and speedometer (poisonous blue backlight). The front seats are flat, without a hint of lateral support, and are designed for people of average to below average height. The front panel is made of ringing plastic with an egg-shaped center console, on which there was a place for a radio with an AUX connector and a radio, just below the control unit for the interior ventilation and air conditioning system. The glove compartment was originally solved - with a sliding curtain.
It's problematic to get to the back row, there are only places for two. If the driver and the front passenger move their seats all the way back, then in the second row you don't even have to try to sit down - there is simply nowhere to put your legs. The pillow is flat, however, as is the split backrest, which can be folded and significantly increase the modest trunk (it can hold up to 205 liters in the stowed state). A full-size spare wheel is housed underground (depending on the equipment on an iron or aluminum disc).
The Geely LC will be available in two trim levels Basic and Comfort. In the basic configuration, the car, which looks like a panda bear, will have: air conditioning, power windows for the front side windows, power mirrors, power steering, simple music (radio and AUX), central locking. The more saturated version of Comfort will add rear power windows, front airbags for the driver and passenger, ABS with EBD, CD MP3 radio, alloy wheels.
About technical characteristics... The car is built on a front-wheel drive platform, the front suspension is independent on the traditional MacPherson struts, the rear is semi-independent with a beam. The brakes are disc brakes at the front and drum at the rear, respectively.
The engine will be offered a petrol four-cylinder 1.3-liter (86 hp), maximum torque of 110 Nm / rpm. As a gearbox, a 5-speed manual gearbox provides a vehicle weighing 985 kg with a top speed of 155 km / h. The manufacturer claims an average fuel consumption of 5.9-6 liters in mixed driving mode (highway-city), and given the experience of already operated Geely models, this information is likely to come true. In China, a gasoline 1-liter engine (68 hp) and the possibility of equipping it with a 1.3-liter engine with 4 automatic transmissions are also provided for cars.
The first test drive of Geely LS conducted by auto journalists shows that the hero of our review is distinguished by a soft, energy-intensive suspension. The car quickly enough picks up the city 60 km / h and allows you to move confidently in city traffic. The annoying fact remains a very small ground clearance, budget materials for interior trim (plastic creaks on completely new cars), uncomfortable front seats, poor sound insulation of the engine compartment and, in general, general lack of sound insulation.
The price in Russia for a compact Chinese hatchback Geely LC 2012 in the Basic configuration will be about 270 thousand rubles.
