Chery Kimo (A1) - Class 5 B-Class Hatchback. The debut took place at the Beijing Auto Show in November 2006. Produced since 2007. At the heart of the car is the platform Daewoo Matiz. The wheelbase is 2 390 mm, length - 3 700 mm, width - 1 578 mm, and height - 1 527 mm.
Kimo was developed by an international team, in which specialists from a dozen countries worked. The power unit is designed by the Chinese together with the Austrian company AVL; exterior and interior created by Italian studio Bertone; airbags and controllers for them are made by Autoliv (Sweden); engine control unit - ECU - assembled by the German company Bosch. Before the start of sales, Kimo went through more than 30 certification tests, a high-speed reliability test of 200,000 km and a comprehensive reliability test of 100,000 km.
The appearance of the car turned out solid, harmonious and stylish. The main principle of the designer’s style of this model was the combination of Hi-Tech and practicality. Headlights are distinguished by a “drop-shaped” shape. A high doorway and front pivoted forward facilitate landing / disembarking. The interior is quite modern.
Trim is made in bright colors. The front seats are distinguished by enviable width and the possibility of adjusting back and forth. Provides the ability to customize the steering column angle. The scales of the devices are hidden in the wells.
A trio of dials (speedometer, tachometer, coolant and gasoline sensor) with blue backlighting and red arrows on the front panel looks good both in terms of design and ergonomic position. In the center of the speedometer flaunts LCD display, which displays the choice of time, instant fuel consumption, distance traveled or total vehicle mileage. The display is contrast and its readings are well read in any light. Build quality can be described as acceptable. The front panel is replete with niches and gloveboxes.
Each door has luggage pockets, so all passengers will be able to place personal belongings closer. The glovebox is small, but enough for gloves and documents. The Chery Kimo power unit is a 16-valve Acteco engine with a displacement of 1.3 l., A capacity of 83 hp. Average fuel consumption is highly dependent on driving style.
In the urban cycle it will be approximately 12 l / 100 km, in the ordinary - less than 9 l / 100 km, on the highway - about 6 l / 100 km. The transmission consists of a 5-speed gearbox with integrated differential and a hydraulic clutch mechanism. In the line of power units Kimo there is another engine 1.1 l / 68 hp, but it will not be delivered to Russia. The stability and comfort of passengers provides an independent suspension type McPherson with anti-roll bar. The rear suspension with a dependent transverse beam has in its design several rubber-metal silent blocks-pillows, which dampen small vibrations, increasing comfort and provide stable handling.
In the Comfort configuration, the car is equipped with a central locking system, immobilizer, air conditioning, electric windows for all four doors, power steering, electrically operated rear-view mirrors, ABS, EBD and two airbags. Disk recorder with the ability to read MP3 and miniUSB-connector for external sources are present in all trim levels. The top version, among other things, is equipped with a DVD-player and electric sunroof. The equipment and the degree of passive and active safety meet the most stringent security requirements in Europe and America.
Chery Kimo successfully passed a variety of laboratory collision tests at the famous British VCA certification center. Stylish exterior design, modern interior and affordable price made Kimo a worthy competitor in its class. He competes with models like the Kia Picanto and the Chevrolet Spark. In the markets of other countries, this car can be found under the name Chery A1 or Chery S12.
