Vive the family—LandWind Fashion

Bewrite: Qi Yu Photography: Li Qingchuan Extract: Car Pictorial 2006.07.01

When mention to LandWind, what first occurred to most people is a kind of cross-country van. It is no doubt that, as a manufacture mainly for SUV, LandWind indeed has its own brilliant accomplishments. This time rather than introduce the SUV, we would like to introduce a new kind of multifunctional passenger car-- LandWind Fashion, which cost them three years to finish.

We Remember that when it first came into the market, the soft light and a big poster advertising the happy family in the news release scene constructed a warm and happy feeling for the family. The song of Father Mother and I, Love You further stated the orientation of Fashion that major in household market. With the definite orientation, all the developments of Fashion is around this center. What we are proud of is that Fashion is a model with absolute independent intellectual property rights, and according to the introduction of the manufacturer’s personnel, it is not just a model design supplied by the foreign designing companies. In the developing process, our technical staff had participated to a very deep extent. With so compound background, what virtues does the Fashion have?

First, the outline is taken charge by the famous Italian auto designing company I.DE.A. Developed by the distinguished family, it has a handsome European style by birth: the whole body of the car is dynamic and fluent, and the A pillar with large oblique angle and the top line is high in the front and low in the back, giving a dashing feeling. The two windlasses on the cabin cover of the engine extend to the bottom of the chrome-plated grid, together with the slender headlight, they consist the most obvious features of the front face.

What the chief designer JUSTYN NOREK most appreciates is neither the head nor the tip, but the model of the side windows. He is very fond of the Chinese ancient architecture, from which the design of the side windows obtained the inspiration. The careful people will find that this model is just the shape of the dumped extending eave of the ancient Chinese architecture. The all black side window feels to be with out B pillar in sight, adding a mystery to the car. We can see that although from the foreign designer, and with European style, it has the Chinese essence.

With mature design, Fashion has stepped a powerful step. It is another problem to realize the designing results for LandWind. The bonding product line from Germany KUKA and the mould from Japanese Oghihara give strong guarantee for the designing thoughts. Having seen the real car, we could feel that the work is really promoted compared with the previous domestic models. Maybe because it is a test car, some crafts are still coarse, for example, the rubber pad for the sealing of the fuel-tank cover has a part exposed in the outside and this avoid the fuel-tank cover from shutting closely. The personnel of the manufacture told us that all the problems would be solved after the mass production.

Now, there is a saying that “The outlook of the car is for the others, and the inner part is the part you could experience.” As a car aimed for the family use, the inner space is the most important part. The light-colored inner decoration and wood grain-like plaque form a warm feeling for home. The white and black meter is clear to read, and the on-off indicator under the speed counter is convenient for the driver to know the state of the car. Considering to the passengers in the back row, there is a large air outlet in front of the second row seats. This disposition is rare in the cars of the same class. Similar with the outline, Fashion is good in the main direction, but there are many places to be improved. For example, at the conjunction for the A pillar and the door there is no decoration for the frame, and the plastic smell is dense. But in general, the inner decoration is fine. Then, what about the most important part for a family? Maybe “Family full of happiness” could resolve your doubts.

It is very simple for Fashion to carry a family of three and a old couple. If the third row seats are pulled down, the space at the back could lay aside the goods for outing. And Fashion can handle with another two passengers, because the third row seats are not temporary, if they are unfolded and the second row seats are move forward, the passengers in the third row could seat comfortably. The space for their heads and legs is enough, and the pillows are also supplied. The circumstances are not worse than the first row. The tall seats of Fashion could relax people’s knee joints and lower legs, so you will not feel tired even for a long journey. The circumstances for the driver are the best, the wheel steering can be adjusted in four directions, and the seats can be adjusted in six directions, so it is easy to find the position most suitable for you. One of the benefits of the tall seat is the convenience for getting on or off. With so excellent space design, the goal to take happiness is not too far away.

Except the design, what Fashion take pride is the total engine unit. At present, there are two engines to choose from. One is the 1.6 L engine with newest Bosch ME7 electrojet system and high polymer material air admission manifold. The other is the 2.0L engine in the test car, which is designed by the Germany FEV company, and its performance per litre could reach 69 horse power, according with the GB3 outlet volume standard. And the speed box matched with it is imported from Germany. The chassis of Fashion is for passenger car, and is adjusted and gauged by Germany FEV and English MIRA. Having read these materials, everyone must expect its appearance.

After the start, the engine is quiet. Release the throttles slightly several times, and the low voice sounds good. The feeling of the handle is nice, but the distance is little long, the gear positions are not clear. With a low speed, the car is light and handy, and the engine is steady. The 2.0L outlet volume gives it very good power storage. If accelerated quickly, the engine will emit a high voice, but the car is still gentle. The accelerating process is not violent. So the way of the gear box’s working belongs to the gentle type. Related to the orientation of Fashion, it is not difficult to understand. When carry all the family members, the steady riding is the most important. The chassis of Fashion is adjusted neatly, so its performance is good during daily use. It can filter the bumping very well, and the elastic suspension system could suppress the side incline induced by the tall body. Whether it will be operated excellently depends on the test in the future. But I think that for a family based car, everyone cares about its safety.

The same with us, LandWind cares about Fashion’s safety: Disc brakes in the front and the back and the electric key burglary-resisting system are scarce in the domestic models of this class. Except this, the reverse radar, emergency air bag, ABS+EBD and so on are all standard deployments. With these protecting systems, your family could set out with ease!

It can be said that Fashion the integration of all the other’s virtues, and its design especially for Chinese gives people a feeling of kindness. It has a definite orientation, so the rivals are not many, and Premacy is one of them. Now many passenger cars are at the 100 000 price, and many of them could be the potential rivals. But if Fashion comes to you in the name of family, is there anybody who will refuse?

LandWind Fashion

Model of car: compact MPV

Wheelbase mm:2,710

The volume of the trunk L：-

Total quality kg: -

Engine/Outlet volume cm3: L4/1,998

Maximal power PS(kW)/rpm：139(102)/6,000

Maximal moment of torque Nm/rpm：186/4,000~4,500

Transmission forms: front forerunner, five speeds manual

Suspension (front/back) : Macphersan independent suspension，helical spring

Brakes(front/back) : disc/disc

Tyre: 195/65 R15

0～100km/h s：－

Maximal speed per hour km/h： ≥195

Referencing price(RMB): 109,800