BYD's 'F1' Looks Like Toyota Aygo (Tech-On)

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BYD Co Ltd presented the F1, its smallest model slated for debut in the second quarter of 2008 in China, at the 78th Geneva International Motor Show.

It plans to release the car in Europe sometime in the next 2-3 years, the company said. It was the first time BYD Auto Co Ltd revealed the model outside China.

The trapezoidal body and the lower part of the side windows that pop up look quite similar to Toyota Motor Corp's Aygo. The interior, with its instrument panel accentuating the repetition of circular design, looks just like that of Aygo.
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The F1 measures 3,460 (L) x 1,618 (W) x 1,465mm (H) and weighs 870kg. The wheelbase is 2,340mm. The front and rear treads are 1,420 and 1,410mm long, respectively. The turning radius is 5m. The minimum ground clearance without load is 120mm, while that with full load is 90mm. The car is shod with 165/60 R14 tires.

The F1 mounts BYD's proprietary engine, the BYD371QA. It is a 0.998L three-cylinder 12-valve SOHC engine with a compression ratio of 10.5, the maximum output of 50kW/6,000rpm and the maximum torque of 90Nm/4,000-4,500rpm (3,500-4,500rpm, according to some sources). The engine is compliant with the ChinaIV emission standard. The maximum speed is 151km/h. The fuel consumption is 4.2L/100km. The car is equipped with a 30L fuel tank.
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more: http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080310/148759/

Mileage converts to roughly 55 mpg.