In pictures - history of the Chinese copycat car

Cars you swear you've seen before some place.

Jimi Beckwith

by Jimi Beckwith

24 April 2018

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This is the new Beijing Auto BJ80.

It may look familiar; it’s China’s unwelcome answer to the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6. It’s a clone that will make for one of the talking points of the 2018 Beijing motor show.
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Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6

This is the Mercedes 6x6. But we suspect that there's nothing Mercedes-Benz can do about it since Beijing Auto is a joint venture partner of Mercedes and that apple cart will not want to be rocked. The BJ80 is far from the only Chinese car to look curiously similar to existing models – here we take a look at some of the most infamous there have ever been.
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Landwind X7 (Range Rover Evoque)

The X7 made waves in 2014 for its remarkable impression of the Range Rover Evoque. In fact, Land Rover was so impressed that it took Landwind to task over the X7.
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Range Rover Evoque

Although Chinese authorities took the side of Landwind and the X7 was put on sale. Perhaps one impact was that Land Rover later shied away from producing a preview concept of its Velar SUV - the car unveiled in 2017 was the one you could buy.
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Changan X70A (Land Rover Discovery 4)

Even discontinued models are not safe from China's copycat designers. The design of the Land Rover Discovery 4, which was replaced in 2017, has been used to inspire the Changan X70A, a large SUV from the Chongqing-based car maker.
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Land Rover Discovery 4

While the front looks different, the car's side profile is unmistakably Disco-derived.
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Weikerui V7 (Volkswagen e-Up)

A recent addition to the clone club is the Weikerui V7, or in layman's terms, the Volkswagen e-Up clone.
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Volkswagen e-Up

Even the badge on the front apes the Volkswagen logo, much like the copied BMW logo below.
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Zotye SR9 (Porsche Macan)

The body of a Stuttgart bestseller has been copied to produce this, the new Zotye SR9 (left). The SR9 will initially come with just one engine – a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit sourced from Mitsubishi developing 187bhp and 184lb ft of torque. The Macan is pictured right.
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Lifan 320 (Mini)

The Lifan 320 is a 1.3-litre supermini produced by Lifan. First revealed at the 2008 Beijing motor show, it gained notoriety for its similarity to the Mini hatch.
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Mini

A facelift in 2013 distanced it from the Mini comparisons, but the car now bears more resemblance to the Fiat 500 - curious.
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Shuanghuan SCEO (BMW X5)

It may have the front end of the first-gen Lexus RX, but in profile and rear views the BMW X5 influence is impossible to miss.
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BMW X5

BMW certainly didn’t miss it, taking Shuanghuan to court over the SCEO. As a result, the car was banned in Germany.
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CH Auto Lithia (Audi R8)

You’d think the Audi R8’s distinctive profile could only feature on the R8, but CH Auto liked the design so much that it decided it would work well on the Lithia – its electric supercar.
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Audi R8

The front and rear aren’t so familiar, and are both distinctive and attractive, but the profile is unmistakably R8.
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Geely Beauty Leopard (Hyundai Coupe)

Proving that China’s automotive copycat culture isn’t a new thing, the Geely BL managed to take inspiration from the Hyundai Coupe (next picture) at the front and the Toyota Supra at the rear.
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Hyundai Coupe

Thankfully, Geely hasn’t taken the same approach to design with Volvo.
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Youxia Ranger X (Tesla Model S)

Resembling the Tesla Model S both inside and out, the Youxia – Chinese for Knight Rider (yes, that one) - features Kitt-inspired LCD lights inspired by its namesake. A 0-62mph time of 5.6sec and range of 286 miles are claimed.
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Tesla Model S

When contacted, Tesla would not comment on the car.
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Shuanghuan Auto Noble (Smart Fortwo)

Don’t let the name fool you; this car is neither a copy of the Noble M600, nor are its design intentions noble. Despite its appearance and similarity to the two-seat Smart Fortwo, the Noble has seating for four
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Smart Fortwo

Although how comfortably those four can be seated is unknown.
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Dojo Pioneer (Aston Martin Cygnet)

If you were to choose an Aston Martin car to copy, the chances are you wouldn’t choose the Cygnet. Called the Pioneer, Dojo’s copycat car is an all-electric Cygnet clone.
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Aston Martin Cygnet

The Cygnet was itself based on the Toyota iQ (although not copied, we hasten to add). Range is quoted at 75 miles, while top speed is a blistering 37mph.
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Yogomo S325 (Range Rover Evoque)

As copycats go, this one's an innovator. The front end and rear lights are miniaturised versions of the Range Rover Evoque, but everything else is a tall, awkward supermini.
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Range Rover Evoque

We don't think JLR will be losing any sleep over the car stealing the Evoque's sales.
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Yogomo 330 (Kia Picanto)

Kia, on the other hand, may be a little cross about this. The Yogomo 330 is one of the closest copycats we've seen.
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Kia Picanto

Although where a knock-off version of a cheap supermini (Kia Picanto pictured) will find sales will be the real test.
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Geely Merrie 300 (Mercedes-Benz C-Class)

From the rear, the Geely Merrie is another anonymous Chinese saloon. From the front, it's a Mercedes-Benz C-Class. There's no slight tweaks or alterations here, just a C-Class's front end, complete with Merc-inspired (read copied) hood ornament emblem.
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Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Spot the difference.
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BYD (BMW)

And it's not just cars. The BMW roundel was also plundered, albeit in a tweaked form. It's clear to see where BYD got inspiration for the font, colour scheme, shape and layout of its logo. A Chinese clothing brand also faced legal action from BMW over its 'BMN' roundel. That's all, though.
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BMW

We think the original is still the best.

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