The Great Wall Florid (Chinese: 长城炫丽) was a subcompact hatchback produced by Great Wall Motors between 2008 and 2013. It came in two forms, the standard car and the raised Florid Cross, and it was one of the models with which Great Wall tried to move from cheap pickups into passenger cars.
Great Wall Florid at a glance
| Maker | Great Wall Motors, China |
|---|---|
| Production | 2008–2013 |
| Class | subcompact hatchback |
| Engines | 1.3 and 1.5 litre inline four, variable valve timing, twin overhead camshafts |
| Gearbox | five-speed manual only |
| Trim levels | Luxury and Elite |
| Second body | Florid Cross, with new wheels, interior trim and a bodykit |
| Safety equipment | Bosch 8.0 ABS with EBD, Autoliv airbags |
| Headlights | height adjustable |
| Styled after | first-generation Toyota Ist (Scion xA), second-generation Toyota Vitz nose |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Florid.
History of the Great Wall Florid
A hatchback from a pickup maker
Great Wall built its reputation on pickups and SUVs, and the Florid was part of its attempt to sell small passenger cars. The car went into production in 2008 and stayed on the market until 2013. Its styling is suspected to be copied from the first-generation Toyota Ist, also sold as the Scion xA, while the nose section was inspired by the second-generation Toyota Vitz, the European Yaris hatchback, with headlights taken from the Toyota Ractis.
Two engines, two trims
The Florid came in two trim models, Luxury and Elite. The Luxury package used a 1.3 litre inline four with variable valve timing and twin overhead camshafts, while the Elite had a slightly larger 1.5 litre engine with the same technology. Great Wall offered only one transmission, a five-speed manual. The company’s advertising made much of the safety equipment: a Bosch 8.0 ABS with EBD, Autoliv airbags and headlights that could be panned up or down with a height adjustment.
The Florid Cross
There were two versions of the car: the basic Florid and the Florid Cross, which added new design wheels, different interior trim and a bodykit. The Cross followed the fashion of the time for small hatchbacks dressed up as off-roaders. The Florid was sold in various countries, South Africa among them.
Design and features
- VVT engines: both the 1.3 and the 1.5 litre units had variable valve timing and twin camshafts.
- One gearbox: a five-speed manual was the only transmission offered.
- Bosch ABS with EBD: the braking system was a selling point in Great Wall’s advertising.
- Florid Cross: a raised-looking version with a bodykit and new wheels.
Great Wall Florid versions
- Florid Luxury: the 1.3 litre engine with the higher equipment level.
- Florid Elite: the 1.5 litre engine with the same trim specification.
- Florid Cross: new design wheels, interior trim and a bodykit.
The Florid sat above the smaller Peri in the range and was replaced in spirit by the Voleex C30 saloon. More cars are in the Great Wall collection.
Video: Test Drive Great Wall Florid
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Great Wall Florid, English Wikipedia: production, trims, engines, equipment
