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The production of Chinese cars is now in full swing, as evidenced by the increase in sales of cars and the constant expansion of the model range. Therefore, in Moscow, Russian motorists were shown a brand new crossover Lifan X60 with front-wheel drive, which will be assembled in the city of Cherkessk at the Derways plant.

This SUV is one of the most sold Chinese-made cars on the Russian market. But everyone understands that the car market is not standing still today, and in order to maintain their own positions, companies have to update their cars. This did not pass the crossover from the Middle Kingdom. Restyling touched on the exterior and interior, new equipment and a new gearbox. The entire Lifan range.

Car history

Lifan Chinese Automobile Corporation was established in 1992. For a decade, the company has been producing sedans, hatchbacks and microvans, the appearance of which was often copied from popular Japanese-made cars.

When the second decade of the 21st century began, the company's management decided to expand its own lineup with a crossover. As a basis, they took the 3-series, which is very fond of the Chinese automakers. As an example, you can recall his clone -.

The design staff of the company has changed the appearance of the exterior. The concept version was shown at the 2010 Shanghai Motor Show. For the sake of fairness, it should be noted that the Chinese model will correctly be called a "wagon with increased ground clearance", because it has more versatility than resources for off-road development.

However, in reality it is a "compact class SUV", which technically is read by an "illegal copy" of Toyota.

Exterior

If you literally look at the Lifan X60 for the first time, then you can easily notice similar qualities with the famous Toyota RAV4 crossover from Japan. And this is exactly so, because the external appearance of the Japanese and his body shape were quite liked by the design staff from China.

In addition, not only Lifan decided to use Toyota as an example, but for example, Chery. However, unlike Cherie Tiggo, in the external image of the Lifan X60 crossover, the qualities inherent in American and Korean cars can be traced. Generally speaking, the exterior of the car cannot be called repulsive, but it cannot be called unique either.

The wheel arches turned out to be quite embossed and provide the crossover with solidity and athletic qualities. The headlights of the car have additional settings, with the help of which excellent visibility is increased. The chrome grille tapers a little and looks quite effective when paired with the piercing optical illumination system.

It is very strange that in the usual place of installation of fog lights there is an auxiliary lighting unit, while the fog lights are located below all. This action cannot be called successful, because there is no additional plastic protection against chips on the body.

It is logical that with active driving on gravel, it will be possible to find various defects in the paintwork, which is very minimal. Side mirrors for rear visibility have a large shape and do not require auxiliary adjustments when changing the person who drives the car.

The stern part of the Lifan X60 car looks good thanks to the light-amplifying optics, in which the LED system that forms a trapezoid is mounted. If you take a closer look at the car, you can see the skewed body parts, which is eloquently indicated by the different thickness of the slots.

The exterior of the Chinese SUV has trends that are aimed at the production of crossovers. The car differs even from its "congeners" by the presence of streamlining and swelling.

Interior

The interior of an inexpensive SUV has moderate comfortable seating for 5 people, which includes the driver. The dashboard consists of three deep wells and does not stand out for its information content. The panel installed in front has two levels and a massive center console on which simple music and knobs for adjusting the ventilation and heating system are located.

If we talk about the finishing materials and the quality of the interior assembly, then each person will have a different opinion. For example, if you transfer to the Chinese crossover Lifan X60 with a VAZ 2106, the driver simply will not be overjoyed, and if the driver sits down from the same Toyota RAV4 SUV, he will find many elements already known to him in the Lifan cabin, but these parts will be made with a completely different quality. , which is inherent in Chinese assemblies.

It is worth mentioning that while in the car, you can smell cheap plastic, although not phenolic, but still. It is also worth mentioning the troubles in connection with the presence of bad rubber door seals, poor sound insulation of the interior and engine department, assembly flaws - all this is present in a regular manner.

The minimum distance between the pedals, which are set with a rather large differential, leads to risky machine control. If we talk about flaws, then the glove compartment for a chauffeur has a rather small volume and is often able to open itself for no reason.

The three passengers who sit in the rear seats feel free space and a convenient location. Interestingly, the backrest of the second row of seats has a tilt angle adjustment. I was quite surprised by the amount of free space at the feet of passengers - as if you are in a large sedan.

Even taller passengers will be able to sit quite comfortably, and the knees will not feel discomfort. A nice detail will be for the passengers sitting behind - the seat and armrest tilt adjustment.

If you sit behind the steering wheel of the car, then, unfortunately, you feel that there is no proper lateral support, although the seats are quite comfortable, but you cannot sit comfortably in relation to the steering wheel. There is a good supply of seat adjustments to choose the fit you want, but the fact that there are no steering wheel adjustments makes the experience a little worse.

The interior leather trim is also not a trump card of this car. If you look at the car panel installed in front, you understand that you have already seen this somewhere - again Toyota Rav4. Although the Chinese again copied the interior of the famous crossover, it cannot be said that it is a complete carbon copy.

The designers still managed to show their imagination a little and add some of their own moments. That only is the front panel. I would like to say about the fifth door, in order to open and close which, you need to make a lot of physical effort. The algorithm was not thought out, you can open the tailgate with a button from the inside or press a key on the key, and there is simply no external handle.

The luggage compartment has at its disposal 405 liters, which is generally a pretty good result. However, this is not all, if necessary, you can increase the useful space to 1,170 liters, depending on what the position of the second row of seats will be. If you load the car to the very ceiling, then you get 1,638 liters. Features of the Lifan X60 engine are described below.

Specifications

Power unit

There is no powertrain choice. This single engine with a volume of 1.8 liters produces 128 horsepower and is able to work on the AI-92. It has four cylinders, 16 valves and variable valve timing. This engine was developed together with British engineers from Ricardo.

The motor complies with the European CO2 emission standard - EURO-4. It is for this reason that the dynamic component of the Chinese-made Lifan X60 SUV is mediocre. The most significant disadvantage when moving is the beginning. Due to unsuccessful adjustment of the accelerator, constant stumbling occurs at the start of the movement.

According to official representatives, the crossover overcomes the first hundred in 11.2 seconds, but in reality this result is more by 3.3 seconds. The maximum speed was provided at the level of 170 km / h.

At low revs, the motor is practically not felt, it comes to life only when the revs are set. The company has officially announced fuel consumption per 100 km - 8.2 liters in combined mode. The Lifan X60 engine clearly needs improvement or new engine options.

Transmission

Despite all its brutality, the Lifan X60 does not have the proper off-road potential. The main culprit is only the presence of front wheel drive. Only a front-wheel drive model goes to the automotive market of the Russian Federation. There are two gearboxes: a five-speed manual gearbox and a continuously variable CVT variator. Electronic gas pedal.

Suspension

If we talk about the suspension, the Chinese engineers used McPherson struts in front, and a time-tested multi-link system on the rear wheels. A knocked down suspension works great with all sorts of imperfections on the road.

When hitting a large pothole, small shocks are transmitted to the interior of the car. Although the car does not have a high ground clearance, the car rolls a little when cornering.

Steering

But the way the hydraulic power steering and braking system function is simply unpleasantly surprising. When turning the steering wheel, the wheels themselves respond with a great delay, which leads to low information content and controllability of the car.

Brake system

In order to effectively brake, it is necessary to fully depress the brake pedal, which is not good. By the way, the braking system on this car is presented in the form of disc mechanisms on all wheels.

When this happens, it feels like there is a problem with the braking system. Also very alarming is the warranty period for the main components and assemblies of the machine, which is only 1 year or 30,000 km.

Dimensions (edit)

The Chinese off-road vehicle Lifan X60 is 4,325 mm in length, 1,790 mm in width, and 1,690 mm in height. The wheelbase is 2,600 mm, and the ground clearance is 179 mm, which, in principle, is not a good result, although not bad, considering the quality of our roads.

The car is equipped with steel or light-alloy wheels in the size of 16 inches. The body paint options include six color variations. White is standard, and you will have to pay extra for painting in silver, gray, blue, cherry or black. Lifan X60 weighs 1,330 kg.

Crossover restyling

The Chinese automobile company Lifan is probably the world champion in the frequency of restyling of its own cars. This also affected the popular front-wheel drive crossover X60, which only in the summer of 2015 underwent minor changes that affected the appearance and technical performance.

Just a year later, the company released the new Lifan X60, which entailed changes in the exterior and interior. Interestingly, for the Russian market, cars of the 2017 model year began to be sold already in December 2016.

Appearance

In fact, Lifan X60 2017 has not changed dramatically. The vehicle has received a replaced radiator grill and new bumpers. However, thanks to this, the crossover now looks more modern and attractive. There are broken lines that add brutality to the SUV's appearance.

Lifan X60 has a fundamentally new face, small headlights, where there are halogen low beam elements and unchangeable fashionable lines of daytime running lights. The headlights at the front have been designed in line with the Hawk-Eye concept.

The grille has been replaced with a new one with a large horizontal strip in the middle. Just on it the LIFAN nameplate found its place. A large bumper was placed below, with neat "fog-lights" installed in an unusual way. This time it was decided to install them, finally, higher.

On the side and in the middle, the SUV was equipped with large air intakes. Interestingly, the Chinese-made novelty almost completely repeats the front part of its capacious "relative" Lifan Myway, but, nevertheless, the "muzzle" came out more masculine and angular.

The side part has clear changes in the shape of the exterior mirrors. By the way, on the mirrors they conveniently installed the indicator repeater strips, which became a little thinner. Chinese experts have decided to expand the number of unique "skating rinks". Now, in addition to 16 and 17-inch alloy wheels, 18-inch alloy wheels will also be sold.

Large front wheel arches blend seamlessly into the rounded bumper. The rear has also been given a nice sportier look and topped it with a pair of fake exhaust ports. There are also modified lamps "dimensions", which are made using LEDs.

Salon

A large list of works was carried out inside the Chinese vehicle, so the interior was transformed well. The salon has a fully improved center console, on which was placed a rather large color display of the multimedia system, designed for 8 inches, supporting touch control, updated air conditioning tuning modules and an audio system.

Among the interior decoration of the Lifan X60 2017, materials of improved quality are used. Many motorists will appreciate the presence of inserts that were made under carbon. This can be clearly seen from the Lifan X60 photo.

The maximum performance of the car received an interior trim with the introduction of combination leather, an 8-inch color display with touch control and support for a satellite navigation system and a rear camera. They did not forget about the air conditioning system, the function of heating the seats and outside mirrors installed in front, as well as support for electrical adjustment.

On top of that, the new model has received all the required upgrades, assistants and security systems that are present in any car today. In front of the driver, the engineers placed the original dashboard with LED backlighting. It turns out that the two-tier architecture of the torpedo was violated by an expressive console.

Dashboard

The devices, together with the audio system interface, are illuminated in a pleasant blue color. The multimedia system supports Bluetooth, and the settings buttons began to be installed on the steering wheel spokes. In general, the finishing was made of improved quality plastic.

The standard version has already received ABS, an emergency brake force distribution system, two airbags, a height-adjustable steering column, electric mirrors, an electric drive function for front and rear windows, central locking and a light sensor.

As a separate option, the function of heating and a microlift for the front seats, parking sensors, an electrically operated sunroof, a rear camera, an assistant when starting uphill, climate control and interior leather upholstery with double massive stitching are installed. The company says it did a good job on soundproofing.

Price and configuration

It is clear that one of the most important features of Chinese cars is their cost. On the market of the Russian Federation, from the very beginning, the car was offered with a couple of complete sets: standard "Basic" and improved "Standart" (LX). The cheapest equipment with a manual gearbox is estimated at 599,900 rubles.

It includes the presence of:

• ABS + EBD;
• central lock;
• a pair of airbags;
• electric windows;
• audio systems;
• radio with two speakers;
• roof rails;
• halogen headlights with a corrector;
• electric drive of side mirrors.

The "Standart" configuration is estimated at 654,900 rubles and has, in addition to the already mentioned, the presence of front fog lights, an air conditioner, an audio system (radio + CD / MP3 for 4 speakers), decorative wheel caps.

Later, the "Comfort" package was also added, where the presence of a "chrome package", heated side mirrors, alloy wheels, protection of the power unit, leather interior, more options for adjusting the driver's seat, an option for heating the driver's seat, parking sensors and an audio system with 6 -columns.

This modification is estimated at 679,900 rubles. The top-of-the-range "Luxury" equipment will already cost from 699,900 rubles and includes the presence of a "multi-steering wheel", the function of heating the passenger seat and a sunroof installed in the roof. The most expensive configuration "Comfort" comes with a variator and is estimated at 729,900 rubles.

For our market, the 2017 model will come in 4 versions: Basic, Standard, Comfort and Luxury. The basic configuration will cost from 679,900 rubles, and the top-end one will not be less than 839,900. To install a variator available from the "Comfort" version, you need to pay 70,000 rubles).

The Basic equipment includes 2 Airbags, electrically operated exterior mirrors, 4 power windows, an audio system, hydraulic power steering, ABS and EBD systems. The Standard version, in addition to the above, has a heated driver's seat, air conditioning and "foglights".

Comfort received crankcase protection, leather seats, heated exterior mirrors, heated passenger seats, rear parking sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome door handles and a decorative trim on the power unit.

Luxury already has a multifunction steering wheel, a multimedia system with touchscreen support and 6 speakers (which includes a navigation system and a rear camera), as well as a sunroof.

Options and prices

Equipment	Price	Engine	Box	Drive unit
1.8 Basic MT	679 900	gasoline 1.8 (128 HP)	mechanics (5)	front
1.8 Standart MT	759 900	gasoline 1.8 (128 HP)	mechanics (5)	front
1.8 Comfort MT	799 900	gasoline 1.8 (128 HP)	mechanics (5)	front
1.8 Luxury MT	839 900	gasoline 1.8 (128 HP)	mechanics (5)	front
1.8 Comfort CVT	859 900	gasoline 1.8 (128 HP)	variable speed drive	front
1.8 Luxury + MT	859 900	gasoline 1.8 (128 HP)	mechanics (5)	front
1.8 Luxury CVT	899 900	gasoline 1.8 (128 HP)	variable speed drive	front
1.8 Luxury + CVT	919 900	gasoline 1.8 (128 HP)	variable speed drive	front

The prices in the table are for December 2017.

Pros and cons

Advantages of the car

• Excellent appearance of the car;
• Relatively low cost of the car;
• Roomy luggage compartment;
• Decent level of crossover visibility;
• The inside of the car is spacious and comfortable;
• Good suspension;
• Elegant rear LED optics
• Rich equipment of any configuration;
• Good cross-country ability;
• Acceptable ground clearance;
• The latest generation has an unusual and stylish lighting system;
• There are various electronic support systems;
• Quite low fuel consumption;
• You can fold the backrests of the rear sofa and increase the usable space for transporting cargo;
• The latest version received a better interior;
• The 2017 model has a touchscreen infotainment system;
• There are carbon inserts;
• Pleasant soothing backlighting.

Cons of the car

• Poorly adjusted steering wheel and driver's seat;
• Small glove compartment for the chauffeur;
• Poor dynamism of the power unit;
• Short third gear;
• There is no four-wheel drive;
• Frightening brake performance;
• Late steering response to steering wheel turns;
• Still, the low power of the power unit for such a crossover;
• Excessive effort when opening and closing the tailgate;
• The warranty period is alarming;
• Low ground clearance;
• There is no choice of powertrains;
• Lack of lateral support;
• The build quality and materials used are still far from European competitors;
• The dynamic indicators declared by the manufacturer do not correspond to reality.

Tuning

Looking at the Lifan X60 photo, there is no ardent desire to tune your car, however, many motorists want to embellish their own vehicle a little in order to distinguish it from the general flow of cars in the city. For example, you can install a body kit that includes bumper strips, rear crash bars, side sills and sill strips.

If you use visors, deflectors and spoilers, then you can slightly refresh and make your car individual by adding external tuning to it. Such accessories are installed quite easily, and this does not require special training, so this procedure can be performed at any service station or in your garage. In addition, some drivers tune the headlights to make the car look bright and stylish.

Among the manufacturers of gasoline engines, one of the leading places in the world market is occupied by the Chinese industrial group Lifan Industry Co. Ltd (Lifan Group). The Lifan engine is produced by the company in a wide range.

The enterprises of the Lifan Group produce power units that are successfully installed on:

• cars of any carrying capacity;
• mopeds and motorcycles;
• pumps and presses;
• garden, snow removal and household appliances.

The technical characteristics of Lifan motors meet the requirements of world standards, and the optimal price / quality ratio enables the company to compete with the most famous manufacturers of power units.

Of particular interest are automobile gasoline engines developed in cooperation with the British engineering firm Ricardo. An example of effective cooperation is the Lifan LFB479Q engine installed on the Lifan X 60 crossover.

In addition, the company's engineers, using the developments of the world's leading manufacturers, independently design reliable automobile engines. So, the LF48Q3 gasoline engine, designed for the Lifan Solano model, was developed on the basis of the Toyota 4A-EF licensed agent, which has long been the standard of reliability and quality all over the world.

Lifan car engine specifications

PARAMETERS	MEANING
Working volume of cylinders, cc	Depending on the type of engine: 1794 (LFB479Q) 1587 (LF481Q3)
Power, hp With	128 (LFB479Q) 106 (LF481Q3)
Cylinder diameter, mm	79 (LFB479Q) 81 (LF481Q3)
Compression ratio	10 (LFB479Q) 9.5 (LF481Q3)
Piston stroke, mm	91.5 (LFB479Q) 77 (LF481Q3)
Number of cylinders	4
Ignition algorithm	1 - 3 - 4 -2
Supply system	Distributed fuel injection
Combustion chamber shape	Comb (LFB479Q) Wedge (LF481Q3)
Gas distribution mechanism	DOHC 16V + VVT-i (LFB479Q) DOHC 16V (LF481Q3)
Lubrication system	Combined (spray and pressure)
Oil volume, l	3.5 (LFB479Q) 4 (LF481Q3)
Oil type	Not lower than category SG (LFB479Q) 5W-40, 10W-40 (LF481Q3)
Cooling system	Forced circulation of coolant
Fuel type	Unleaded gasoline A-92, A-95
Fuel consumption, l / 100 km	8.2 (LFB479Q) 8 (LF481Q3)

The engine was installed on the following cars: Lifan X 60 and Lifan Solano.

Description

Chinese engines Lifan LFB479Q and LF481Q3 are structurally an in-line four-cylinder power unit with two overhead camshafts and a 16-valve cylinder head (DOHC 16V).

Their design has a lot in common, for example, the same type of lubrication and cooling systems. Fuel is supplied by the multipoint injection method with an electronically controlled throttle valve.

However, there are significant differences in the design of the motors. For example:

• the timing mechanism in the LF481Q3 motor is driven by a belt whose service life does not exceed 100 thousand km, and in the LFB479Q a metal chain with a large margin of safety is used for this purpose;
• the combustion chamber of the LF481Q3 engine, in contrast to the LFB479Q, has a wedge-shaped shape, which ensures a high fuel combustion rate and reduces the loss of coolant;
• the piston stroke in the LF481Q3 motor is less than the cylinder bore (short-stroke engine), which requires higher rpm to achieve maximum power;
• motors and electronic control systems differ. The LFB479Q power unit is equipped with an efficient variable valve timing system VVT-i, which allows you to get maximum torque (168 Nm) already at 4200 rpm. min.

Tuning

Chinese engines LFB479Q and LF481Q3 in a specialized tuning studio can be subjected to CHIP tuning.

Engine tuning performed by specialists will allow:

1. Increase power.
2. Eliminate factory software flaws that lead to unpredictable jerks and jerks.
3. Increase the service life.
4. Improve the responsiveness of the electronic gas pedal.
5. Reduce fuel consumption.
6. Increase the torque value.

For firmware, use the OBDII diagnostic connector, which, as a rule, is located in the pedal area.

Lifan low-power motors

One of the priorities in the work of the Lifan Group is the development and serial production of gasoline engines with a capacity of 2.5 to 15 liters from.

There are also models among them:

• with electric starter;
• with a reduction gear;
• with automatic clutch;
• with a coil of lighting.

These engines are installed on:

1. Motoblocks.
2. Electric generators.
3. Motorized towing vehicles, motor winches, etc.

A typical representative of this type of product is the Lifan190F-R single-cylinder engine, with a capacity of 15 hp, and is designed for installation on cultivators and other low-power equipment. It is distinguished by its durability and economy, and the presence of a reduction gear allows expanding the scope of its application.

In addition, the motor is equipped with a lighting coil, which makes it possible to connect the necessary equipment with a total power of no more than 40 W.

To start it, a transistor ignition system is used, which ensures reliable operation in all operating conditions.

A 1.8-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 133 liters is installed on the Lifan X60. With. This is enough for a measured, calm ride. Those owners who want more from the car change the firmware. At the same time, one of the main advantages of the Lifan X60 engine is moderate consumption in the city, you can invest in 10 liters per 100 km. But it all depends on the driving style, the type of drive, the installed box: a five-speed manual transmission, a variator.

In general, the X60 resembles the Toyota RAV-4 CA30 crossover, which was produced until 2013. There is a similar grille, side panels, outlines of the front optics. Lifan is inferior to its Japanese counterpart in reliability and technical characteristics. Although this is a decent car for the money. Consider the pros and cons.

AdvantagesLifan X60	FlawsLifan X60
✓ Good value for money, even in the most "charged" versions	X Obvious assembly jambs - both in the body and in the cabin
✓ Large ground clearance - 180 mm	X You need to get used to a kind of "clutch-box" combination
✓ Spacious interior, roomy trunk (1638 liters with folded seats and shelf)	X Weak paintwork, in some places rust appears on the arches, the trunk lid, under the door seals
✓ Successful in terms of clarity and smoothness of switching the box, which is a rarity for Chinese-made cars
✓ High energy intensity of the suspension

Lifan X60 engine: detailed acquaintance, resource assessment

The four-cylinder in-line engine Lifan X60 LFB479Q is presented by the Chinese company as its own unique development, which was made jointly with the British company Ricardo. In reality, this is a prototype of the Toyota ICE 1ZZ-FE. The Japanese engine was installed on Avensis, Corolla, Matrix, Celica. It is considered reliable, but with runs over 150 thousand km, it begins to eat oil: oil scraper rings, exhaust valves are coked, the gaps between the piston and the cylinder walls are broken. This is fraught with the failure of the catalyst, which is often changed to a flame arrester. To avoid such a fate, you need to follow the maintenance schedule and refuel with high-quality gasoline.

If you have filled fuel of questionable quality, we recommend using a combustion catalyst. It will increase the octane number of gasoline, minimize carbon formation and consumption, save you from the Check Engine engine error, which often lights up when refueling with gasoline with an octane rating below 93. Such an error can lead to changes in the engine management program.

The RVS-Master tribotechnical composition will also help extend the lifespan of the Lifan X60 engine. For processing LFB479Q you will need (the volume of oil in the system is 3.5 liters). Thanks to the processing of the Lifan X60 motor with a friction geomodifier, it will be possible to:

• Normalize compression by restoring working surfaces with a metal-ceramic layer.
• Simplify cold start.
• Reduce noise and vibration.
• Stabilize idle speed.
• To achieve an increase in the resource - up to 120 thousand km.

With runs of more than 100 thousand km, it makes sense for the Lifan X60 to use it, which will improve the functioning of injectors and dynamics, eliminate dips during acceleration, and reduce gasoline consumption.

What is remarkable about the Lifan X60 box?

For the Lifan X60 crossover, a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic are available. The manual transmission is quite durable, although aggressive driving style, driving on rough terrain, and untimely oil change can reduce its resource. This will manifest itself with a characteristic howl, difficulties with switching, extraneous sounds of a metallic nature. If the aforementioned problems are related to natural mechanical wear, treatment with a compound will help. This will restore the geometry of the gears, increase the resource of parts, compensate for existing wear, and make gear shifting smoother.

The versions with automatic transmission use the popular Punch Powertrain CVT. The oil in it should be changed after a mileage of 60 thousand km. And for the restoration and prevention of breakdowns, it is advisable to combine it with the treatment of the Lifan X60 box with the composition.

The whole photo session

The idea of ​​a perpetual motion machine has been around for many hundreds of years. But so far there is not a single working model - the law of conservation of energy cannot be fooled!

Four of us comfortably loaded into the cherry X60, we also filled the trunk to the eyeballs, and now we are slowly rolling towards Mount Akhun. The fuel gauge flashes and subtly hints that our crossover is about to stall. But we have already driven about thirty kilometers along the mountain serpentines in the vicinity of Sochi and have never even turned off the air conditioner!

Have they finally built a working model of a perpetual motion machine in China? The design of the float is such that it can be easily damaged during assembly of the fuel tank. And it’s not clear who is to blame - the Chinese, who designed such a fragile part, or the workers of the Russian Derways plant, who showed negligence during assembly.

With an eye on the best

The X60 has a classic suspension design - McPherson at the front and an independent three-link at the rear. But they are not tuned in the best way, when cornering with good asphalt, the crossover heels heavily, and its rear wheels "walk" left and right in the lateral direction. Although on straight sections, the car is quite stable. Is that a little harshly overcomes the joints and pits. But if you are a supporter of the saying "the quieter you drive, the further you will be", you will not find anything particularly negative in the habits and manners of the X60.

Most importantly, in the bustle of the city, the X60 feels like a completely compact car, which, due to huge mirrors and a large glass area, makes it easy to rebuild and park even on the narrowest streets.

"To sail in full sail"

Imagine this situation: you need to get somewhere by sea, while the time allotted for the trip is not limited. What will you do? Raise the sail and, due to the energy of the wind, you will float calmly, where your eyes are looking. Isn't it a perpetual motion machine? The main thing is to avoid storms and periodically patch up the sail when it gets worn out. Of course, it is possible to sail by land only in the deserts.

But on the whole, the essence is very clear - for free and for as long as you like today you can move only due to "free" wind energy ... and also due to solar energy, of course. But night happens much more often than absolute calm at sea.

So the Chinese company Lifan has chosen a "perpetual motion machine" as its logo - three stylized sails, symbolizing quality, innovative technologies and customer care.

True, we did not find exceptional innovations in the Lifan X60, and the quality of the car, despite the Circassian assembly, remained at a "typically Chinese" level. The plastic sill strip in the area of ​​the left rear door came off right during the test drive, debris of peeling sound insulation was found under the arches, and traces of poor-quality casting and subsequent processing on the suspension arms.

At the same time, the gaps on the body are different in places, the tailgate can only be closed by a person with strong muscles, and the mechanism of the rocker arm of the manual gearbox crunches during switching.

What the Chinese are really strong at is customer care. They promise by next year to present specifically for the Russian market a version of the X60 with a dark leather interior, as well as with all-wheel drive.

At the same time, with the maintenance and service, for which the Chinese are traditionally scolded, Lifan is also doing well. Spare parts and consumables worth several million have already been delivered to the central warehouse in Moscow, and soon regional dealers will have their stocks, by the way, as many as 79.

But the segment of affordable off-road vehicles is constantly expanding. And even now there is strong competition in it: you can buy the Chinese analogues of Chery Tiggo / Vortex Tingo, you can support the domestic manufacturer and get a Chevy-Niva, or do it easier and buy the best-seller - Renault Duster. How does the Lifan X60 stand out against the background of this fraternity? Its main advantages are rich equipment and a spacious interior. Representatives of the company promised to stabilize the quality of the Circassian assembly and Chinese components.

author Dmitry Osipov, correspondent for "MotorPage" magazine Publishing site Photo of the author's photo

The fact that the Chinese are copying with might and main the developments of eminent manufacturers is no secret to anyone. Lifan uses licensed copies of Toyota engines in his models, which he adjusts (most likely in order to reduce the cost of production) to his standards. For example, in a popular model, but with modifications.

An engine is installed on the Lifan X60, which was copied from the legendary 1ZZ-FE series, which is legendary throughout the Far East.

The index of the 1.8-liter Lifan engine has the abbreviation LFB479Q.

Chain or belt

Let's immediately answer the question that worries many lifanovodov, belt or chain? Rejoice ...

Although the chain has its drawbacks, most domestic motorists are very afraid of a belt break, probably this is a fear from the domestic auto industry.

Engine features

The location of the power unit at Lifan X60 is transverse. Engine with variable valve timing system. By the way, the LFB479Q version is called VVT, in which there is clearly a connection with Toyota's VVT-i development. The Chinese removed the -i (with intelegence) prefix. An interesting fact is that the British (engineering company Ricardo) took part in the development of the Chinese engine.

Toyota's engine was very reliable, it was put on the most popular models, including the Corolla (the best-selling car in the world in class C), Avensis and even Celica. The most common problem was oil consumption - this is a disease of all engines with VVT-i technology, which is caused by a design feature and manifests itself after 150 thousand km.

Photo, where the rings are stuck on the 1ZZ-FE engine, resulting in increased oil consumption.

In the Far East, they solved the problem in a not very beautiful way. Most owners just put up with it. They switched to semi-synthetics (while the specification should be 5w-30 synthetics) - it is cheaper. But it is worth remembering that in the Far East such engines do not capitalize, they simply order contract spare parts - these are spare parts with a mileage of no more than 50-70 thousand. Japan is islands, you can't hit it anymore. But the Japanese do not have contract Chinese engines of the LFB479Q series, and cannot be. Swap capability is unknown.

If the Lifan X60 engine starts to eat oil, then the catalyst may soon fail. In this case, it is changed to a flame arrester, the company has worked out the technology, but the cost is not cheap.