Lifan to launch Chinese MINI at Shanghai show

Shanghai, April 17 (Gasgoo.com) Chinese carmaker Chongqing Lifan Auto has created a MINI lookalike -- the Lifan 320 and will launch it at the 2009 Shanghai auto show next week, sina.com said today. The Chinese MINI will be priced between 40,000 yuan ($5,860) and 50,000 yuan.

Hyped as an "elegant" "classic" model like an "English gentleman", the Lifan 320 minicar of the Lifan 3-series is certainly a breakaway from Lifan's usually clean cut designs. Amusingly, Lifan is said to have made a 5-door version of BMW Group's MINI Cooper, mixed with some trait of the black London Taxi.

Even though the Lifan 320 is somewhat disproportioned in comparison with the original MINI Cooper, the resemblances between the two cars are crystal clear. It remains to be seen whether its similarities with MINI will become a compelling selling point as intended.

A 5-door compact hatchback, the Lifan 320 measures 3,755mm x 1,624mm x 1,435mm on a 2340mm- wheelbase, with a self-developed 1.3L engine (LF479Q3) capable of 65kw/6000rpm and 155km/h. It may carry a 1.1L engine when it's mass-produced for the market.

Lifan will bring three new models to the Shanghai auto show: the Lifan 620 CVT, Lifan 520 CVT and all-new Lifan 320. The Lifan 520 and 620 models are equipped with the all-new CVT transmission.

The Lifan 320 is a major step in Lifan Auto's operations as it had been seen as a producer of motorcycles. A small player, Lifan began producing cars in late 2005 and has launched the Lifan 520 sedan and hatchback, and Lifan 620 sedan from domestic and overseas markets.

Lifan Group said its operations would not affected by its U.S. investor AIG which bought 13.5% of Lifan in July 2008. AIG's $90 million investment had all arrived in Lifan by October 21.