The pace at which the Chinese auto industry is conquering the world is truly impressive. Just a couple of years ago, even in China itself, few had heard of the Lifan brand, and today these cars are already being assembled at a plant in Cherkessk.
Lifan produced its first passenger car in early 2006. Before that, the company was exclusively involved in motorcycles, scooters, and engines for them. But the turnover and potential allowed them to aim for something bigger. The Chinese had experience in producing trucks and buses, but with passenger cars, things turned out to be more complicated. Realizing that without outside help they couldn't create a competitive car, the Chinese turned to the Japanese at Mazda for expertise. The joint effort resulted in the Lifan 520 model, which quickly gained popularity in its homeland. Encouraged by success, the Chinese decided to conquer the Russian market. And not just through deliveries, but through full-fledged assembly on our territory. Thus, the C-class sedan received the "Made in Russia" badge and the name Breez. For now, this is only screwdriver assembly, but there are plans to build a full-cycle plant with an area of 21,000 m² and a capacity of 50,000 cars per year.
So what is this "Full Sail Ahead" all about? They say first impressions are deceiving. And that's true. Before meeting the car, we, as usual, looked online and, frankly, were not inspired. It seemed that the shiny body was just a beautiful wrapper hiding a typical "Chinese car."
But the Chinese certainly know how to package their goods. It's hard to find fault with Lifan regarding the body shapes and the quality of their execution. Everything is well-fitted, neatly joined, and, most importantly, looks quite good. It's clear that figuring out where the car comes from is not difficult, but it's more about the continent rather than a specific country. The design is quite modern, generously seasoned with fashionable details: lensed optics, turn signal repeaters in the mirrors, striking rear lights. Thanks to this, Lifan looks not just nice, but almost solid. Almost — because solid cars don't have their rear ends raised so high. It's clear why this was done: to increase ground clearance and ensure stability when fully loaded. And yet... We don't know about you, but in profile, the car reminded us of a cockroach in attack mode.
Inside, the car is no less interesting. The interior is, of course, not exemplary, but for this class and this kind of money, it looks decent. We were pleased that the cabin is done in the familiar black-and-gray palette — as it turned out, this is a nod to us, because for the Chinese market, cars are made in cream tones. The trim details are of decent quality: everything on the surface is well-executed. Ergonomics are also acceptable, with all buttons and knobs in their places.
But there was a fly in the ointment. First: despite having central locking, there's no separate button to activate it. You have to open and close the doors by pulling the pin on the driver's door. Second: the seats are hard, especially the backrests. It feels like there's no damping padding under the upholstery, and the seats themselves are made of chipboard. And third — the smell in the cabin. It seems this is the signature style of all Chinese cars. Over time, it will, of course, dissipate, but at first, it's hard to breathe.
Under the hood of the Breez, there can be one of three engines: a 1.3-liter with 89 hp, a 1.6-liter with 106 hp, and a 1.6-liter with 116 hp. The latter is interesting because it's assembled in Brazil and because in 2003 it was recognized as one of the best in its class. Until recently, such an engine was installed on the Mini and PT Cruiser. It was with this engine that we got the Lifan for the test.
The engine is indeed successful. Largely thanks to it, the first drive left pleasant impressions. It pulls well, doesn't make much noise, and most importantly, revs up quickly. With such an engine, the car accelerates to 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds, confidently holds 186 km/h on the highway, and is content with six liters of gasoline in economical mode.
But it's not just the engine that shapes the experience. The steering, suspension, and brakes also play a role. And we had no serious complaints about them. Yes, the steering is a bit vague, but expecting Mini-like handling from a Chinese car would be silly — those aren't the traditions. Is the suspension too stiff? But then the car rolls less in corners than it would on softer struts. Is the brake pedal travel too long? That's a matter of habit. Or maybe a quirk of this particular example.
A bit of everything
Lifan makes motorcycles, passenger cars, buses, and powertrains. In 2006, it produced 2.54 million motorcycle engines and 1.33 million motorcycles themselves. Products are exported to 147 countries, including the USA, Canada, and the UK. In January 2006, the first passenger car — the Lifan 520 — appeared. At the same time, the decision was made to enter the Russian market. The company's turnover in 2006 was $1.3 billion, with export revenue of $329 million.
Driving
The powerful engine provides decent dynamics, but still, Lifan is more suited for calm driving.
Interior
Quite spacious. The roomy trunk with a volume of 630 liters is appealing.
Comfort
If the sound insulation were a bit better, comfort could be called quite decent. For now, neither the air conditioning nor the power windows save the rating.
Safety
Two airbags and ABS — that's the whole arsenal. However, many "Chinese cars" don't even have that.
Price
Adequate and competitive.
Pros and cons
+ Torquey engine, good dynamics, quality execution of exterior and interior, large trunk.
- Weak sound insulation, specific smell in the cabin.
Specifications
Make and model — Lifan Breez
Dimensions — 4370x1700x1473 mm
Engine — petrol, 1596 cm³, 116 hp/4500 rpm
Transmission — manual, 5-speed
Dynamics — max 186 km/h; 10.5 s to 100 km/h
Competitors — Chery, Geely
Our opinion
For its money, Lifan offers a well-equipped and quite competitive car. Yes, in our market, it will primarily compete with its compatriots. But it will be fair competition, not a one-sided game built solely on low price and lack of quality.