The Daewoo Tico was a city car produced by Daewoo from 1991 to 2002 and based largely on the 1988 Suzuki Alto. Its 796 cc three-cylinder engine, a Korean-made version of the Suzuki F8B, made it cheap to run, and the car became a familiar sight in Eastern Europe and as a taxi in Peru.
Daewoo Tico at a glance
| Maker | Daewoo, South Korea |
|---|---|
| Production | 1991–2002 |
| Base | 1988 Suzuki Alto |
| Engine | 796 cc three-cylinder S-TEC |
| Original output | 48 hp (35 kW) with a carburettor |
| Later engines | fuel injection meeting Euro 2, and LPG in Korea |
| Gearboxes | five-speed manual or three-speed automatic |
| Other name | Daewoo Fino in some Latin American markets |
| Built in | Korea and at the old Oltcit factory in Romania |
| Replaced by | Daewoo Matiz in 1998 |
Based on one source.
History of the Daewoo Tico
A Korean Alto
The Tico was based largely on the 1988 Suzuki Alto kei car and was equipped with a three-cylinder 796 cc S-TEC engine, a South Korean-made version of the Suzuki F8B. Buyers could choose a five-speed manual gearbox or a three-speed automatic, the latter only in South Korea.
Where it sold
The Tico was exported to European markets and became highly popular, mainly in Eastern Europe. It also went to Latin America, where in some markets it was named the Daewoo Fino, and it was especially popular in Peru, where it was one of the most common cars used as taxis. Daewoo expanded into Western Europe at the beginning of 1995, but the Tico was never sold there.
Changes and the end
Over its production life the Tico was modified chiefly in its engine: it began with a carburettor and 48 hp, and was later upgraded to fuel injection, which brought it up to the Euro 2 emission standard and gave more power. Some Korean domestic versions ran on LPG. Daewoo built the car at the old Oltcit factory in Romania. In 1998 the Matiz replaced it, though the Tico stayed on sale alongside the newer car until 2001.
Design and features
- Tiny three-cylinder: 796 cc and 48 hp at first, with fuel injection later.
- Alto basis: built on the 1988 Suzuki Alto, one of the cheapest cars in the world at the time.
- Eastern European favourite: cheap to buy and simple to repair, and also built in Romania.
- Peruvian taxi: one of the most common taxi models in Peru.
Daewoo Tico versions
- Carburettor cars (1991): 48 hp and the earliest specification.
- Fuel-injected cars: Euro 2 compliant, with more power.
- LPG cars: Korean domestic versions running on liquefied petroleum gas.
- Daewoo Fino: the name used in some Latin American markets.
The Tico was replaced by the Matiz, and its tiny van cousin was the Damas. More cars are in the Daewoo collection.
Sources
- Daewoo Tico, English Wikipedia: basis, engine, markets, production
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