Lifan is a Chinese car brand founded in 1992. It is based in the central city of Chongqing. Lifan also makes motorbikes, vans, and trucks. The Chinese name is 力帆, Lìfān, literally Power Sail. The Lifan logo depicts three sails. Lifan is still around, but the car-making part of the business is now a joint venture with Geely.
A Mini copy?
Lifan launched the 320 in 2008. There was a lot of buzz around the 320, positive and negative. Positive for price and looks and negative for, well, the looks. Many said the 320 was simply a copy of the Mini.
Well, it sure looked like a Mini, but at the time, Mini didn’t make a five-door version. Lifan did, and now Mini does it as well. So, who copied who..? The 320 was also a bit more boxy, larger, and much cheaper than the Mini. It had simple wheel covers, black window frames, and black door handles. The C-pillar was rather wide.
The interior was a bit of Lifan and a bit of Mini, especially on the doors and around the gearlever. The center stack was kind of funky, with a tiny screen for the audio system with round buttons on each side. The cabin of the car in the photos looks very dusty and a little dirty. The owner added a thick steering wheel cover and a lucky charm dangles from the mirror.
Specifications
The Lifan 320 was a small 5-door 5-sear car. Size: 3745/1620/1430, 2340. The only engine option was a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit with an output of 88 hp (65 kW) and 110 Nm. Lifan offered a 5-speed manual and a CVT. The top speed of the manual version was 155 km/h. The 320 had a 37-liter fuel tank and a 300-liter trunk.
I have always liked the looks of little Lifan. It was funky and cool compared to the competition. Check the spoiler above the rear window, the rear lights, the chrome bits all around, and the oval-shaped exhaust pipe tip. The license plate is from Shandong Province.
The font was very similar to the font used by BMW. That makes sense, as BMW was, and is, the owner of the Mini brand.
Lifan produced the 320 until 2012, when it was replaced by the Lifan 330. In 2012, the 320 sold for 36.500 yuan. It competed directly with the Chery QQ.
A decoration for Chinese New Year hanging from the lamppost. Every year around this time, large teams of workers would hang these decorations everywhere in the area. A few weeks after the celebrations, the workers came back to take ‘m down again.