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Why invent something new when you can just copy it? Now the country that copies everything from watches, movies and handbags brings you the Lifan 3-Series, the new Chinese knock-off of the MINI Cooper!
You just know the jokes are coming. Will the Lifan 3-Series feature a lead paint job? Will it be available at WalMart? Is it really an R60 in disguise? Will you have to fill it up again in 2 hours?
The fact that the Chinese have gotten around to copying the MINI really shouldn’t surprise anybody. As one blogger wrote, they can “reverse engineer anything.” But, judging by these photos, they sure can’t make it attractive. (With all of that front overhang, could there really be a transverse-mounted engine under the hood?) And calling it the 3-Series is a slap in the face of BMW. What happened to the country that invented gunpowder and kites and other fun stuff, and of all that original engineering that went into the Great Wall?
Communism, one assumes.
Not that anyone will be interested, but the company says the vehicle will go on sale in China during the first half of the year. Whoopee.
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