Great little Chinese takeaway

Published Apr 25, 2010

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I've never been big on Chinese food (too many unidentifiable little widgets mixed in with the noodles, and who knows what they are, plus there's that MSG overload) but more and more I'm becoming a fan of that country's vehicles. Specifically, GWM.

Great Wall Motors impressed me with the Hover, an SUV I drove a couple of weeks back, and now I'm even more of a convert since meeting the sporty four-door Florid hatch (odd name, and a word invariably and more usually followed by "complexion", when described portly men in British spy thrillers).

Regardless, this fantastic, sexy little hatch evoked huge interest from the school mums. Everyone loved the styling, the space (OK, the boot isn't huge, but drop the back seats flat, and you can load all sorts of stuff to the roof, as I did while helping someone transport 14 lanterns, flower arrangements, buckets, toolboxes and bouquets to a wedding).

This the manufacturer's first car is described by GWM as "dynamite in a small package". I have to agree.

Powered by a punchy little 1.5i VVT motor, the Super-Lux Florid comes with a whole host of standard features such as ABS and EBD, aircon, remote-controlled central locking, alloy rims, two crash bags, reversing radar, collapsible steering column and adjustable steering wheel and CD/MP3 player.

I was charmed by the colour choices: although I was driving the "silver sky", options include "charming black", "titanium white and "maple red.

Driving the hatchback was fun. With its (very) light and responsive steering and surprisingly torquey engine (77kW/138Nm), there were several occasions when I didn't even realise I was way over the speed limit.

The interior is uncluttered, everything is within easy and comfortable reach of the driver, and the five-speed manual gearbox, while not as smooth as a Honda, was absolutely fine. In traffic, it's a dream - nip in and out with ease, and the same goes for parking or reversing out of odd corners.

Someone suggested it looked a bit like a Toyota Auris... maybe GWM did borrow from its neighbours, but so what? The car is unusual enough to turn heads, it has its very own personality and it's brilliant fun to drive.

Priced from R109 900, which includes a three-year or 100 000km warranty. You can't go wrong, girls.

Call for more Mom's Taxis.

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