Jiangnan Alto. City car at the price of a scooter
The Jiangnan Alto 5-door hatchback was produced from 1992 to 2014 by the Chinese automaker Jiangnan (later named Jiangnan TT). The car was based on the Suzuki Alto. Unlike the prototype, the car had even simpler shapes and more modest finishes. It cost less, being offered for only 2,300 dollars. At the end of 2010, it was the cheapest car in the world. A multi-million Chinese audience received an affordable and high-quality city car for the price of a scooter, and a brand unknown outside of China gained popularity in the domestic market.
Jiangnan Automobile was founded in 2001 by Norinco Group, which bought the rights to produce a simple hatchback from the 80s from Suzuki.
Exterior
The Jiangnan Alto has copied the appearance from Suzuki’s prototype: the same square headlights, a wide unpainted bumper, a narrow radiator grille. The hatchback is highly functional: you can even install an additional trunk on a flat roof. The car is 3,294 mm long, 1,395 mm wide and 1,385 mm high. The wheelbase reaches 2,335 mm. The ground clearance equals to 155 mm.
Interior and equipment
The interior is also as practical as possible: dark finishing materials, hard plastic, and large pockets in the doors. The car is 4-seater, and the seat backs are regulated in four directions. The backseat can be unfolded, forming a roomy compartment for cargo. The list of equipment includes a square-shaped dashboard with a large speedometer dial, an autoradio tape recorder, and an air conditioner with regulation key.
Engines
The Jiangnan Alto comes with a modest 657 cm³ gasoline engine with a return of 40 or 42 hp, paired with a 4-speed manual gearbox. But the average consumption of gasoline is only 3.8 liters per 100 km. Later, the manufacturer introduced a 0.8-liter 36-liter engine and a 1.1-liter engine with 53 hp. The model is front-wheel drive.
