A pair of motoring experts have shared how drivers can get behind the wheel of a brand new Chinese-made vehicle that looks like a Land Rover Defender for less than a tenth of the price.
Sergi Galiano and Nathan Bain are presenters on the YouTube channel Supercar Blondie and regularly test a wide range of new models to suit all budgets.
In a popular video, the duo buy a Tianjin Mangia EV, a small electric SUV that looks a lot like a Land Rover Defender but costs just £3,000. Whilst it sounds like a bargain, Sergi noted that the model is somewhat rough around the edges compared to the real deal.
He explained: “There it is! I mean, it’s a Defender. They have the lights and the grille and everything. Over here, the seal is strange, it’s under the headlight and then it ends up popping out completely [around the side].
“I feel like we need to do a couple of checks. I actually think that this is sturdier than most fake Chinese cars we’ve bought. But, honestly, the wheels are hilarious every time we see one of these.”
Whilst the Chinese car industry is growing at a rapid rate thanks to the increasing number of unique models being exported to foreign markets, including the UK, smaller companies are still known for making models that have a similar design to high-end alternatives from the West.
In particular, a number of brands produce models known locally as ‘old man’s joy’ cars – tiny electric models that are typically bought by elderly motorists who are looking for a vehicle that looks stylish but for a low price.
Unlike the models they are based on, these cars typically sell for less than £5,000, but often have a top speed that is limited to around 30mph and do not feature anywhere near as many safety features.
Getting inside the car for the first time, Nathan highlighted that many ‘old man’s joy’ cars feature the same awkward driving position, with the accelerator pedal nearly in the middle of the vehicle.
He added: “OK, let’s turn it on and have a look at the interior. The thing I’m noticing straight away, and this has been on every fake model, is this accelerator and brake situation. I don’t know why they insist on putting the accelerator in the middle of the car.
“So we’ve got a ‘New Energy’ logo and the same steering wheel, I think that’s just copy and paste for the steering wheel in all of these. But, I think they’ve done a little bit of an upgrade on the infotainment here and some fake wood panelling, which is quite nice.”
Taking the fake Land Rover off-road, Sergi found that it had a particularly rough ride quality and an interesting air conditioning system fixed to the roof, but enough power to get up some hills.
He continued: “Alright, there we go. There’s a lot of sound in here, but at least I have some kind of air conditioning. No way, these are like computer fans.
“Time for its first hill climb, and it’s actually making it up there. I don’t know why I thought we weren’t going to make it, but this has such a bouncy ride, that’s for sure.”
