The Chery A1 is a supermini that the Chinese manufacturer Chery produced from 2007 to 2015. It was exported under several names: Kimo in Russia and Ukraine, J1 in Australia, Face in some markets and DR2 in Italy, where DR Motor assembled it from semi-knocked-down kits.
Chery A1 at a glance
| Maker | Chery Automobile, Wuhu, China |
|---|---|
| Production | 2007–2015 |
| Class | supermini (A-segment) |
| Body | five-door hatchback |
| Engine | 1.3-litre Acteco SQR473F, DOHC, four valves per cylinder |
| Power | 61 kW (82 hp) |
| Torque | 114 N·m (84 lb·ft) |
| Trim levels | Standard, Comfortable, Luxury |
| Russia | Chery Kimo |
| Australia | Chery J1, from 2011 |
| Italy | DR2 by DR Motor, from 2009 |
| ANCAP rating | three stars |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the A1 describes the car, its trim levels and its export versions.
History of the Chery A1
A Chery for export
The A1 was Chery’s attempt at a small car designed as a world product rather than a copy of an existing model. Its only engine was a 1.3-litre Acteco unit with double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, giving 61 kW (82 hp) and 114 N·m (84 lb·ft). Three trim levels were offered: Standard, Comfortable and Luxury. The two upper levels included air conditioning, alloy wheels, ABS and EBD, a CD/MP3 player, electric windows, power steering, a trip computer, rear parking radar and central locking; the Luxury car added front seat belts with an emergency locking retractor.
Italy and the DR2
In Italy the car was assembled by the DR Motor Company from semi-knocked-down kits and sold under its own brand as the DR2. It was introduced at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show as the third model of the Italian company. The DR2 came with 15-inch alloy rims and a Euro V-compliant engine, and could be ordered with leather upholstery and an LPG kit. Within Europe the A1 was also marketed in Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Macedonia and Turkey.
Australia and the J1
Sales in Australia began in 2011 in every state except Victoria, under the name J1 because Audi already used A1 there. The initial price was A$11,990, with a A$1,000 cashback offer, which made it one of the cheapest new cars on sale next to the Proton S16, Suzuki Alto and Geely MK. Australian cars were better equipped, with 14-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, two airbags, a six-speaker CD player, air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, a rear wiper, and a strengthened body and grille; floor mats, reversing sensors, Bluetooth and headlight covers were optional. The J1 had ABS and EBD but no electronic stability control, so it was never sold in Victoria, which from 2011 required ESC on all new cars; the same rule applied nationwide from 1 November 2013. With no side airbags either, the J1 scored three stars in ANCAP testing, one of the lowest results for a car sold in the country. A defect in the seat frame led to a safety recall in August 2011.
Design and features
- Acteco engine: a 1.3-litre four-cylinder with double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, rated at 61 kW.
- Export names: Kimo, J1, Face and DR2, depending on the market.
- Italian assembly: built from kits by DR Motor and sold in Italy as the DR2.
- Australian specification: better equipped than the Chinese car, but still without stability control.
Chery A1 versions
- Standard: the basic car without air conditioning or alloy wheels.
- Comfortable and Luxury: air conditioning, alloys, ABS, rear parking radar and, on the Luxury, belt pre-tensioning.
- Chery Kimo and Face: the Russian, Ukrainian and other export versions.
- Chery J1: the Australian version sold from 2011.
- DR2: the Italian kit-assembled version with a Euro V engine.
The A1 was Chery’s smallest car before the arrival of the Riich M1; it shared the showroom with the larger Chery A3. More models are in the Chery collection.
Video: Top Gear Australia – Chery J1 (aka A1, A113, Face, Kimo etc)
Video by TangoR34 on YouTube.
Sources
- Chery A1, English Wikipedia: production years, engine, trim levels, Italy, Australia, safety
