The very first spy shots of a new Lifan mini MPV testing in China. The mini MPV segment is red hot with sales moving up fast and Lifan wants in. The most popular mini MPV is the Wuling Hongguang, and the new Lifan seems an almost perfect copy. The Lifan mini MPV is expected to hit the China car market in 2015 for about 50.000 yuan.

Many more Chinese car buyers living in the cities fall for the practicality of a mini MPV, choosing one over the standard sedan. The MPV’s seat seven plus a dog, don’t use much fuel, and are small enough to park anywhere. The fact that they are not very fast bothers very few, since speed doesn’t matter much in the endless traffic jams. Recently we have seen a lot of new entries into the market: Dongfeng Xiaokang Fengguang, Beijing Auto Weiwang M20, and the Changan Ounuo.

The Lifan mini MPV will be powered by 1.3 and 1.5 liter engines with about 70 to 90 horsepower. Not fast, not glamour, but it will carry up to seven in relative comfort from A to B. And people will think you are driving a Wuling!