Launched in November last year, the Chinese car was styled by
Pininfarina and the promises made by the sleek lines outside are kept
inside.
There’s even a button to open the hatch from the dash, where there
is enough room for the pram and all the family luggage.
Its dynamic safety systems take over the thinking for the driver
where possible. The headlights activate when dark, a rain sensor starts the
wipers, the brakes won’t lock went stomped on, but will stomp for you in an
emergency, there is a park distance-control function for poor parkers and six
air bags to cushion both the driver and passenger in case of a crash.
Not that crashing is top of mind when behind the J3’s multifunction
steering wheel. The little 1 579 cc engine is over-bored, which doesn’t mean it
is boring, but that the cylinder heads are bored wider (81 mm) than the piston
strokes are long (77,5 mm). Formula 1 engines are also over-bored, and like F1
cars, the J3 needs lashings of revs to get to its peak work rate of
87 kW — 5 800 revs per minute, to be precise.
Driven like this, the 147 Nm engine feels nippy enough, but as most
drivers avoid such screaming revolutions, the J3 ends up feeling sedate — ideal
for the driver with a slow hand. One who doesn’t want to come and go in a heated
rush (with apologies to the Pointer Sisters).
For drivers who demand their power at low revs, there is a slew of
other options in this price range.
None of them offers all the extras or boot space that the Cherry
offers, but they will meet the go-faster needs that petrol heads have.
Among the competitors, the Chevrolet Sonic hatch stands out. It is
cheaper, with more torque. A bit more expensive, but as stylish as the J3, is
Fiat’s 500 1,4.
The high-revving Italian delivers its 74 kW and 141 Nm at a sweeter
spot than does the Chinese, making it that more driveable.
For buyers insisting on bootspace, there is the Renault Sandero
Stepway. Even with sexy surfer-model Roxy Louw’s signature, the Sandero does not
look as cool as the J3, but then it does cost R30 k less.
For stylish slow-handers on a budget, however, I recommend slipping
a memory stick full of soul music into the USB port of the J3’s rather nifty
sound system, and cruising the city traffic.
Having now spent a week living with this car, it ticks all the
boxes for the person who dares to be different, but not necessarily the
fastest.
The
numbers
Price: R179 900
Engine: 1 597 cc,
DOHC 16-valve
Power: 87 kW
at 6 150 rpm
Torque:
147 Nm at 4 500 rpm
Zero to 100
km/h: 13 seconds
Maximum speed:
1
80 km/h
Comparative
average fuel
consumption: 7,7 l/100 km
consumption: 7,7 l/100 km
Tank: 57 litres
Warranty:
three years/100 000 km, with roadside assistance
Service plan:
three
years/75 000 km, at 15 000 km intervals, plus a “first service” at
5 000 km.
