Our test drive Lifan Solano II. Mixing classes in Chinese

20.10.2019

Fuel system

Lifan Solano is well known to Russian motorists - the assembly of this model of the Chinese manufacturer has been established in Cherkessk. It's time to take a closer look at the sedan in its new incarnation.

Everyone chooses for themselves - this statement is no less applicable when discussing cars than in relation to people. Looking after a new car - no matter what price category, brand and country of origin, each of us pays attention to some of our own, clearly defined set of qualities. For some, appearance is more important, others are attracted by spaciousness and practicality, others are ready to look for rare lines about the nuances of “asphalt” handling even in the review of tracked bulldozers.

Who is the bravest?

Perhaps from the breed of cars for those people who always strive for a reasonable price to acquire as many formal signs of prestige as possible. And at the right time, flaunt them, arguing before others about their practicality and foresight. There seem to be many such people. Lifan Solano, whose assembly started in Cherkessk in 2010, has gained some popularity in the Russian regions. Many of these cars are still working in a taxi, which indirectly allows us to judge this sedan as quite unpretentious.

In its second generation, Solano is ready to contribute to the above approach: the car looks restrained and somehow solid, the design has diminished overtly Asian motifs and attempts at embellishment. But its silhouette is not particularly harmonious - the bow and stern are heavy.

Compensation is a spacious trunk, in which you can easily tamp the necessary belongings when going to the country in the spring. If desired, skis will also fit: if you fold the sections of the back of the rear sofa, a wide opening is formed that allows you to transport long lengths. On the trunk lid, Chinese designers provided soft upholstery, but there was no place for a handle - to close the trunk without getting dirty, you have to grab the lock in a slippery plastic “case”.

The Lifan brand has been the leader among Chinese automakers in Russia for more than a year. According to the results of last year, it showed a 15 percent growth, against the backdrop of a general market decline. The main cash desk is made by the X50 and X60 crossovers, but the Solano sedan is not deprived of attention either. A second-generation car has recently launched, and this is perhaps the most budget-friendly golf-class sedan on our market. Is it only this that attracts Solano II and how has the new generation car changed?

The Chinese auto industry is evolving and developing, not to say that by leaps and bounds, but rather quickly. Lifan, by the way, is far from being at the forefront of technological progress among Chinese brands. So why is she our leader? Most likely, this is just a marketing strategy, Lifan was able to offer quite unpretentious cars at the most attractive prices. Here is the result.

Solano II, in fact, is not a completely new car, but a deep modernization of its predecessor. Therefore, the suspension remained unchanged, and the power units (100-horsepower engine and 5-speed gearbox), and the basis of the supporting structure of the body - door, window openings, roof. In a word, everything that was copied from the 2000 model year Toyota Corolla sedan. And new only design, developed in-house, interior and equipment. Solano II has really become more attractive and modern, nice lensed optics with LED running lights, and taillights with long LED strips of “turn signals” are especially successful. The entire increase in length (70 mm) fell only on the overhangs of the body and they are large. In terms of body length, this is a full-fledged C-class, and in terms of the length of the base and, accordingly, capacity, it is only B. Against the background of such a large body with a high hood line and a large luggage compartment, the wheel arches look too small, and the wings above them are inflated and thick. In general, the silhouette of the car was not pleased with the proportions. But all this is taste and a thing, in general, subjective. As for the evenness of the gaps and the quality of the fit of the panels, here it may not be perfect, but there were no special questions.

It is difficult to close the doors the first time, you try not to slam hard, but as a result, they do not close, you have to clap harder. And this is not just an unsuccessful hand movement, but some kind of pathological property of locks. Already sitting in the cabin, and intending to go on the road, you again hear the buzzer signaling an unlocked door. Clap harder, no, failure. Even stronger. On the third or fourth time it is usually possible to close.

The interior of the new Solano is visually quite neat, concise and modern, adjusted for the budget model. No Asian troubles with the design, everything is quite organic and familiar in appearance. The salon is especially good in the test maximum configuration of Luxury with a large display of the communication system and a nice air conditioner unit. A good multifunction steering wheel is not made of leather, but is made of rubberized plastic that is pleasant to the touch. But the door cards and chairs are trimmed with eco-leather with red stitching. The plastic trim is inexpensive, but everything is done quite neatly. It seems that everything looks great and even comfortable. But here we are smoothly approaching the main problem of many Chinese cars. No, this is not even quality or reliability, they may leave much to be desired, but they have reached some acceptable level. Ergonomics is the main scourge of Chinese cars at the present stage. The fact is that some cars from the Middle Kingdom are simply not designed for tall people, and Solano, unfortunately, is no exception.

The driver's seat and steering wheel have height adjustment, but they are clearly not enough. How insufficient is the adjustment of the chair in the longitudinal direction. As a result, my height is far from being gigantic - 183 cm, I move the seat all the way back and put it in the lowest position, and the steering wheel in the highest position. It turns out fine on the pedals, and the instrument scales under the steering wheel rim are almost visible, however, I want to lift the “steering wheel” even higher and bring it closer to me so that it does not lie almost on my knees. But this is the limit. It turns out that if I could still tolerably fit behind the wheel, then a person taller than me will no longer be able to. The pillow is a little short, and the profile of the back is not the best, flat and lacks the adjustment of the lumbar support, which would not hurt here. The round scales of the instruments are quite informative, but the curved glass that covers them desperately glares, regardless of the position of the light source. So, the lower sector of the scales is constantly not visible, just like the fuel level and engine temperature indicators located below, and this is almost half of the instrument cluster.

The touch screen of the communication system lacks responsiveness and graphics. On a sunny day, it is also not visible in the best way, the sound of the radio is average, and the navigation was not loaded into our system. The picture from the rear view camera is quite clear, but the “dynamic” lines are props, they do not move. I liked the remote control of the air conditioner, everything is done clearly and logically, the round knobs do not play. Below the cover are an ashtray and a cigarette lighter. On the central tunnel are cup holders and buttons for heating the front seats. The rectangular armrest box is medium in size, it has USB and Aux connectors, and the leather-lined lid is securely fastened, does not play or dangle, as happened on most Chinese cars in the past. To the left of the steering wheel is a block with a remote control for adjusting rear-view mirrors, a trunk release button and a headlight corrector wheel, under which there is a small compartment for small things. On the ceiling panel, in addition to lighting, there is a eyeglass case.

By modern standards, the equipment is not too rich: in addition to the above, there are power windows front and rear, heated rear-view mirrors, two front airbags, ABS and EBD. There is no stabilization system in any of the trim levels. I sat on the back sofa with a minimum margin of legroom, but my head rests on the ceiling. So these places are designed for people no taller than average. The third passenger in the center will be completely uncomfortable, the central part of the sofa sticks out, and the tunnel interferes underfoot. There is a retractable armrest with cup holders, but again, it is unsuitable for my height, it is located low, so I have to bend over to it. Of the additional amenities - nothing remarkable, there are pockets in the doors, and the cut of the front seats is such that the pockets in the backs are so small that they can fit, perhaps, only a brochure or a pack of napkins.

But the trunk is really big, although I'm not sure about the reality of the passport 650 liters. There are no pockets, hooks and loops to secure the load. The transformation of the rear sofa is standard - the back rests in parts horizontally. The floor panel, sheathed in fleecy fabric, is thin and too pliable. Under it is a "spare wheel" on a stamped disk and no organizers. In a word, the trunk is simple in decoration and there are no additional amenities. Even the handle for closing on the inside of the lid is not provided.

The clutch is not informative, “cottoned”, and at the start you involuntarily overdrive so as not to stall. In this sense, little adaptation is required. Acceleration at the initial stage is quite dynamic, even with slipping, but then it turns sour, and at high speeds there is already not enough traction, as well as elasticity. To maintain a brisk pace of driving, you have to change down gears earlier than you expect. Not surprisingly, nowhere in the technical specifications I could not find data on acceleration to "hundreds". Apparently, they are not impressive, and the Chinese simply did not bring them. But in general, if you drive measuredly, then the engine-transmission tandem is quite normal. No revelations, but you keep in the flow without problems, the box works quite clearly.

Visibility and braking performance - no complaints. Noise isolation is unique. While you are not going fast, at city speeds, it seems that everything is in order, it is not noisy, the engine is clearly audible only during intensive acceleration. But then, at speeds under 80 and above, the interior is filled with a rumble, here are aerodynamic noises, and the clatter of studded tires on asphalt. Everything merges into a single rumble that accompanies constantly. And what is more interesting, even when the heater fan is off, there is a complete feeling that it is turned on to the fullest, something hisses loudly in the front panel. It cannot be said that all this cacophony puts too much pressure on the ears, but on a long journey, when you drive for hours without a break, I think it will not be very comfortable.

But the suspension, surprisingly, is omnivorous and smooth running pleases, in this sense, the car is well adapted for our operating conditions. This, perhaps, is generally one of the strongest sides of Solano II. Satisfied and energy intensity in combination with sufficient clearance. I measured the clearance with a tape measure, yes, approximately, it is - 165 mm, as the manufacturer claims. It is for regions with unimportant roads or even for rural dirt roads that Solano is best suited.

But on highways, where handling is important, everything is different. The Solano holds a straight line, maybe not bad, but it is not possible to control and correct this with the steering wheel in the best way, since in the near-zero zone it is completely devoid of information content and reactive effort. When maneuvering, you can turn the steering wheel 90 degrees, and it will remain in this position if you do not forcefully return it to zero with your hands, although there is no clear zero either. Therefore, in motion there is no reliable connection with the car on the steering wheel. Only at speed appears at least some information content. And the more you turn the steering wheel to the side, the more informative, the paradox, but in sharp, energetic turns you feel more confident than on a straight line. Perhaps, you have never seen a car with such a peculiar steering setting. In order to “vomit” in “traffic jams”, and move slowly around the city, maybe nothing. Maneuverability, again, is good, the turning radius is small. But for drivers with a driver's vein, such handling without intelligible feedback, I think, will not be to your liking. It seems that Chinese engineers are still developing the chassis according to the principle - how it will turn out, and driving characteristics are adjusted at random. Since it is extremely unlikely to consciously come to such a result.

The base Solano II, according to the price list, at the time of the test, cost 510 thousand rubles. But such a car does not even have wheel caps, a decorative engine cover, interior lighting and an immobilizer. But there is air conditioning, power windows, two airbags, ABS, and leather on the seats. True, as the representative of the dealer told me, they themselves had never seen such cars before, and did not try to order them. The Circassian plant "Derways" does not seek to satisfy such orders. You will probably have to wait a very long time, if you manage to order at all. So, in reality, only Comfort versions are available for 620 thousand and Luxury for 655 thousand. I would like to believe in a Chinese miracle, but for now, alas ... For me, with the current set of consumer qualities, Solano, in order to become in demand, should cost less than the base 510 thousand, or, whatever they were, at least, in stock and easily accessible .

Specifications Lifan Solano II(manufacturer data)

Body - 4-door, load-bearing, steel
Number of seats - 5
Dimensions, mm
Length - 4620
Width - 1705
Height - 1495
Base - 2605
Clearance - 165
Curb weight, kg - 1270
Gross weight, kg - 1580
Trunk volume, l - 650
Engine - gasoline
The number and arrangement of cylinders - 4, in a row
Volume, l - 1.5
Power - 100 hp at 6000 rpm
Torque - 129 Nm at 4000-5000 rpm
Gearbox - 5-speed manual
Drive - front
Front suspension - independent, spring, McPherson
Rear suspension - semi-independent, spring
Maximum speed, km/h - 180
Acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h, s - n.d.
Fuel consumption per 100 km, l
City cycle - n.d.
Country cycle - 6.5
Mixed cycle - n.d.
Gasoline - AI-92-95
Tires - 195/65 R15

Photos from the test drive Lifan Solano IIin Kazan

Car for a test drive provided by the car dealership ""

Vladislav- January 23, 2015
Test machine, for more than a year I have been riding Lifan Solano (2012, box). Bought from hands with low mileage. The previous owner, she stayed in the property literally no more than 3 months and sold in connection with the move. He spoke well about the car, in which I agree with him. The machine is unpretentious, it eats 12 liters of gasoline in the city (in traffic jams), on the highway - 8 liters. It rides softly, listens well - I liked the steering wheel, and the pedals are conveniently made - just what you need. In general, the interior is good, the electronics work flawlessly. Under the hood climbed except that the oil change and all. In my opinion a very decent car.
Nathan- April 1, 2015
Lucky, I bought a new car already with a good discount. And most importantly - run-in. I took a new Solano, ran it for a long time, 5000 km for sure, did not overclock it, only 95 from the bow. Then he changed the oil. After that, the consumption became much less. I didn’t detect it separately, but in a mixed one it’s about 8 liters, plus or minus. And he began to pour everything and only the 92nd.
A good sedanchik around the city, to dangle at work. Service is inexpensive, even if you only take officials. You can do a lot yourself. I used to have a Corolla. So the engine is very similar. I change the oil filter myself, something for the suspension too. All the same, our roads are dead, so every time you won’t run into a twist. But still, I don’t do it often - the suspension is quite energy-intensive, it tolerates our Russian reality well. Its trunk is large, and in general there is a lot of space for its size. It is comfortable inside, even behind the three it is not crowded.

On this page, we tried to collect test drives and reviews of the Lifan Solano car, which were printed or published in any automotive magazines and other authoritative sources.

Lifan Solano: plebeian in the nobility

"Red" China seems to know what the common people of the people need. The proletarian wants a car no worse than the imperialists. The Russian consumer is not far behind in this regard. With the release of Lifan Solano, the domestic auto industry should sprinkle ashes on its head and irrevocably capitulate. While the leadership of VAZ is announcing Kalina with a radio tape recorder on a grand scale and is trying to attach GLONASS there, the Chinese are stuffing their creations "under the business class" and can count on wild success among a certain segment of the population.

Smart people say that, they say, do not promise. And rightly so! I swore, sometimes even out loud, that I would never drive a product of the Chinese automobile industry. And here you go ... Sat down. I drove almost 300 kilometers on it on not the best roads, and ... And the new Lifan Solano made me think - about the Chinese auto industry, its past and present.

Lifan group of companies (Lifan Industry Group Co.Ltd). The word "Lifan" is translated into Russian approximately as "To go in full sail." Lifan Corporation was founded in 1992. Today, LIFAN Industrial Group is in the list of 500 leading private enterprises in China. The corporation specializes in the production of cars, buses, motorcycles, scooters and ATVs.

The head of the Russian representative office of the Chinese car company Lifan, Mr. Sun Zejun, and correspondents from leading automotive publications visited the Derways car plant in Cherkessk, where production of the new C-class sedan Lifan Solano began in March of this year.

A small stele with the inscription "Derways" rises next to a concrete fence surrounded by barbed wire. It is quite quiet around, the noise is created only occasionally by cars passing by and the voices of the guards. You can’t say that there is a lot of activity behind the fence.

The first private car factory in post-Soviet Russia appeared in 2002. It was built in Karachay-Cherkessia. Many considered the project utopian, including because the new enterprise was going to produce SUVs of its own design. Nevertheless, the plant started working, and the Cowboy, built on the chassis of the Romanian ARO, went on sale. True, only a few hundred of them were made - the demand for a car of a new, still unknown brand was small. In addition, the buyers did not inspire confidence in the plastic body, assembled on a spatial frame. Yes, and the price seemed too high to many .... Soon a solution to the problem was found. At the end of 2007, the assembly of the Chinese Lifan Breeze sedan began at the plant. In parallel, the construction of new buildings, installation and adjustment of equipment were underway.

In the summer of 2009, welding production, as well as a cataphoresis and painting shop, designed to produce up to 100,000 bodies per year, were launched.

Currently, the plant assembles cars under the Geely brand from Chinese car kits, as well as Lifan Breeze and the Solano sedan that debuted last year. By the way, his name comes from the name of an Indian tribe that once lived in those parts where today the border between the United States and Mexico passes.

The wind blew again from the Caucasus mountains. And it's called Solano. Such a romantic name (as a strong southwest wind is called in Spain) wears a new product of the Karachay-Circassian and Chinese car industries. The tandem of "Derways" and Lifan produced another "windy" car. Their firstborn - Breez - was simple and unpretentious. Designed for a mass, inexperienced motorist, he quickly occupied his niche in the market. The C-class sedan Lifan Solano is already positioned by manufacturers as a “premium” in the “economy” category. Still! The new car was stuffed with pleasant amenities for the car owner. The only package so far includes ABS, two airbags, full power accessories, air conditioning, an audio system and an on-board computer, as well as optional, but pleasant little things: LED “dimensions” in the front optics, alloy wheels and adjustable lumbar supports at the front seats.

Lifan Solano - premium segment in economy class

They promise that it will cost no more than cars of Russian brands. With a rather generous equipment: a 1.6-liter engine, a wide range of options, a spacious interior, quite an energy-intensive suspension ... But it seems that the new golf-class sedan will retain all the traditional problems of Chinese cars - an uncomfortable fit, not the highest quality finishing materials, miscalculations in ergonomics, mediocre dynamic performance ...

Sedan Lifan Solano (formerly known as Lifan 620)- a new model of the C-class from the Chinese car manufacturer Lifan Industry Group Co. Ltd. Sales of Lifan Solano cars in the Russian market began in March 2010. Lifan Solano managed to establish itself in the Asian markets. Sales of Solano in China in the first quarter of 2009 alone, according to the manufacturer's official statistics, amounted to more than 15,000 vehicles. Although this may not be the most successful indicator, given that daily car sales in China are 30,000 units. The appearance of the Solano makes a solid impression. Its design echoes the fashionable modern trends in the automotive industry. It is believed that the design of the Lifan 620 Solano model was borrowed from a German car, namely the BMW 3 Series. But due to the lack of any “highlight” of its own, we can say that it looks like many modern, though mostly Asian, cars at the same time.

Chinese "jigit", or Journey on Lifan Solano

LIFAN today

Lifan Group of Companies (Lifan Industry Group Co. Ltd). The word "Lifan" is translated into Russian approximately as "Going with all sails." LIFAN Corporation was founded in 1992. Today, LIFAN Industrial Group is on the list of 500 leading private enterprises in China. The corporation specializes in the production of cars, buses, motorcycles, scooters and ATVs.

How we went to Dombay on Lifan Solano

The head of the Russian representative office of the Chinese automobile company Lifan, Mr. Sun Zejun, and correspondents from leading automotive publications visited the Derways automobile plant in Cherkessk, where the production of a new C-class sedan Lifan Solano began in March this year.

The first private car factory in post-Soviet Russia appeared in 2002. It was built in Karachay-Cherkessia. Many considered the project utopian, including because the new enterprise was going to produce SUVs of its own design. Nevertheless, the plant started working, and the Cowboy, built on the chassis of the Romanian ARO, went on sale. True, only a few hundred of them were made - the demand for a car of a new, still unknown brand was small. In addition, the buyers did not inspire confidence in the plastic body, assembled on a spatial frame. Yes, and the price seemed too high to many ... Soon a solution to the problem was found. At the end of 2007, the assembly of the Chinese Lifan Breez sedan began at the plant. In parallel, the construction of new buildings, installation and adjustment of equipment were underway.

In the summer of 2009, welding production, as well as a cataphoresis and painting shop, designed to produce up to 100,000 bodies per year, were launched.

Currently, the plant assembles cars under the Geely brand from Chinese car kits, as well as the Lifan Breez and the Solano sedan that debuted last year. By the way, his name comes from the name of an Indian tribe that once lived in those parts where today the border between the United States and Mexico passes.

Lifan Solano outside

The wind blew again from the Caucasus mountains. And it's called Solano. Such a romantic name (as a strong southwest wind is called in Spain) is a new product of the Karachay-Circassian and Chinese car industries. The tandem of "Derways" and Lifan produced another "windy" car. Their first-born - Breez - was simple and unpretentious. Designed for a mass, inexperienced motorist, he quickly occupied his niche in the market. Manufacturers are already positioning the C-class sedan Lifan Solano as a “premium” in the “economy” category. Still! The new car was stuffed with pleasant amenities for the car owner. The only package so far includes ABS, two airbags, full power accessories, air conditioning, an audio system and an on-board computer, as well as optional, but pleasant little things: LED “dimensions” in the front optics, alloy wheels and adjustable lumbar supports at the front seats.

Premium segment in economy class

The Lifan Solano sedan (formerly known as the Lifan 620) is a new C-class model from the Chinese car manufacturer Lifan Industry Group Co. Ltd. Sales of Lifan Solano cars in the Russian market began in March 2010. Lifan Solano managed to establish itself in the Asian markets. Sales of Solano in China in the first quarter of 2009 alone, according to the manufacturer's official statistics, amounted to more than 15,000 vehicles. Although this may not be the most successful indicator, given that daily car sales in China are 30,000 units. The appearance of the Solano makes a solid impression. Its design echoes the fashionable modern trends in the automotive industry. It is believed that the design of the Lifan 620 Solano model was borrowed from a German car, namely the BMW 3 Series. But due to the lack of any “highlight” of its own, we can say that it looks like many modern, though mostly Asian, cars at the same time.