The tiny five-door hatchback — at 141.7 inches long, the Panda is shorter than a Mini Cooper — is powered by an 80-horsepower 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that is described as Euro 5-compliant and capable of returning 48 mpg. A smaller, even more frugal 1.0-liter unit is in the pipeline.
Geely also showed an electric version of the Panda, called LC-E, that uses a lithium-ion battery pack. Cruising range is 50 miles, with a top speed of 40 mph.
The automaker, based in Hangzhou, reportedly has already begun delivering the first few cars to local dealers, according to Chinese press reports.
Inside Line says: The name isn't unique, and the sheet metal borrows heavily from Toyota, among others, but the execution looks good and the price is right. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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