This is a Hafei Lobo Cross, seen in a car market in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province in China. The Hafei Lobo, or Lubao in Chinese, was manufactured from 2002 until 2012, with 3 facelifts over the years.
Our Cross is from the 2007-2010 model. The Lobo was designed by none other than Pininfarina, who also designed the very pretty Menghuan concept car. The Lobo was a very recognizable car, much sharper lined than the other small family cars of the time. And it had that extra set of lights under the A-pillar. The Cross came with painted lower-bumpers and wheel arches, side skirts, a roof rack, and a rear spoiler.
The interior was special too, with a central instrument pod and large oval-shaped air vents. Note the enormous blind spot caused by the window-piece that holds the mirror. That may have looked cool from the outside but it blocked a lot of view from inside!
Pininfarina’s artistry is perhaps best visible from behind, with the triangle shaped lights that dictate the shape of the third-side window and the rear window. The door handles follow the same shape as the lights, but upside down. The spoiler is quite large and it has two fins on top.
The characters read ‘Hafei Lubao’.
Power came from a 1.1 liter 16-valve four-cylinder petrol engine. It had an output of 65 hp and 87 Nm. The engine was mated to a five-speed manual, sending power to the front wheels. Fuel consumption was 6.5 liter per 100 kilometers and top speed was 130 km/h. Price of the Lobo Cross in 2007 started at 49.800 yuan.
A little while later I met another one, in the exact same color and specs.
The fake carbon trim was actually a factory option! Pretty wild for a time when most car makers only offered fake wood. As far as I know Hafei was the only carmaker to offer such.
The roof rails were high and solid and not just for looks, they could be used to carry real stuff.
Another look, in better light, of Pininfarina’s masterly designed C-D pillar door handle area. Only on the Hafei Lobo!
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