BYD’s sporty imp: the F Zero hatchback

This ice blue BYD F0 test unit has a five-speed manual transmission. PHOTOS BY AIDA SEVILLA-MENDOZA

BYD (Build Your Dreams) Co. Ltd. is reportedly building dreams of its own: to become China’s largest automaker by volume in 2015, up from its current fourth place, and the world’s biggest by 2025. Since 2015 is only a month or so away, BYD will have to reset its China-based target.

BYD is better known as the world’s largest supplier of rechargeable batteries and as the only Chinese company in which American business magnate Warren Buffett invested $232 million for a 9.9-percent stake.

BYD also manufactures green energy products like LED, solar farms, battery energy stations and electric vehicles. BYD Auto leads in the production of alternative energy vehicles with new technologies such as dual-mode electric vehicles, pure electric cars, and pure electric buses.

BYD may be thinking big, but its electric dreams do not stop it from also sometimes thinking small, as in developing a super-small internal combustion passenger car. BYD’s micro hatchback, the F0 (pronounced F Zero), was displayed at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show and is now being distributed in the Philippines by Solar Transport and Automotive Resources (STAR) Corp.

The unusual A/T configuration. Note the power window switches behind the gearshift, old MINI Cooper style.

To let me completely experience the fun of driving the F0, Star Corp. loaned me a manual transmission (GLX-i MT) F0 for one week, followed by an automatic transmission (GL-AT) F0 the next week. Both transmissions are five-speed and both models have the same dimensions, engine, brakes, suspension system, safety and convenience features. BYD claims that both models get 23.8 kilometers per liter of gasoline.

IMPISH. The F0 has an impish, almost funky exterior style complete with the latest automotive trends such as bulbous projector-type headlights, a honeycomb mesh front grille with a matching mesh grille below the front bumper, combination taillights, rear windshield electric defogger and wiper, body-colored side-view mirrors and round recesses for the exterior door handles.

For a micro minicar, the F0 is loaded with equipment and features usually found in bigger, more expensive cars. The smart key enables keyless entry, the engine start-stop pushbutton, electronic antitheft system and car location search. The meters have white LED numbers against a blue illuminating background. The power steering is intelligent speed-adjustable, heavily assisting steering at low speeds and lightly assisting at high speeds to ensure a smooth ride.

To check out the automatic transmission of the BYD F0, test-drive this French red unit.

There are not only one but two front SRS airbags plus front disc brakes, antilock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), fog lamps and 14-inch alloy wheels shod with 165/60R14 tires.

QUIRKS. The ice blue GLX-i MT introduced me to the quirks of the F0. The front power window switches, for instance, are found behind the gearshift lever at the lower part of the central control panel instead of on the doors, while the tachometer is attached to the steering column, sticking out at the left side. The windows at the back are the tilt-open type, not roll-down.

The French red GL-AT’s gearbox is actually an AMT (automatic/manual transmission) and using it brings out an engine power lag when you reach 20 kilometers per hour, 40 kph and 60 kph. These power lags cause impatience in the driver and lead to the logical conclusion that the MT BYD is more driveable.

The 1-liter, 12-valve DOHC engine produces 67 HP and 90 Nm max torque.

On the other hand, the interior design of the F0 has flair, reflecting the little car’s sporty ambitions. Styling cues from European cars, such as the round tachometer, the big round speedometer, round air-conditioner vents and the unusual location of the power window switches look like they were lifted from the MINI Cooper (although in the newer MINI models, the power window switches are on the inner door panel).

SCOOT. The two-tone, fabric-covered seats are comfortable, although a bit thin and not too supportive. After all, the F0 was designed to scoot around town, not to take long trips. The audio system, an AM/FM radio with single in-dash CD player, MP3 with AUX port, has only two speakers.

The 1-liter, three-cylinder, 12-valve DOHC engine is touted to produce 67 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions per minute and 90 Newton-meters max torque at 4,500 rpm, capable of hitting 150 kph while sipping gasoline at 23.8 kpl. That this fuel frugality is claimed for both the AT and the AMT suggests that the latter is more MT than AT.

The MacPherson strut front suspension is supplemented with a stabilizer bar while the rear suspension is torsion beam. However, there is no information about the tensile strength of the body shell steel, whose rigidity and robustness play an important role in protecting occupants in the event of a road crash.

DEBUT RACE. The F0 gained favorable media mileage last month when it topped qualifying and finished a close second behind a Toyota Wigo in its debut race in the Micro Series category at the Batangas Racing Circuit. The Micro Series features competition among super subcompact passenger cars with 1.3 liters displacement or less.

A sporty tachometer sticks out at the left of the steering column.

The F0’s competitors in this category were the Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10/Grand i10 and Eon, Mitsubishi Mirage/Mirage G4, Toyota Wigo, Chevrolet Spark, Suzuki Alto and Celerio, Tata Vista, Chery QQ, Chana Benni and Geely Panda. Under the rules, the Micro Series competitors can only use 14-inch GT radial street tires and cannot modify the engine except the intake, headers and exhaust.

More recently, since the 67-HP BYD F0 was the only one to show up for the Micro Series category, it was made to compete in higher categories such as Brackets D and G that have cars with 200-500 cc more displacement. The F0 finished third in Bracket D, which is four categories higher than the Micro Series, and third in Bracket G which is one category higher and included Honda Civics, Mitsubishi Lancers and Honda Jazz.

OUTCLASSING. And finally, in the last leg of the Micro Series category of the Circuit Showdown at the Clark International Speedway, BYD’s sporty imp outclassed its main challengers, the Toyota Wigo and Suzuki Cappuccino, by finishing first after seizing pole position in the Time Attack.

Afterwards, BYD Philippines managing director Mark Tieng said: “A lot of people doubt the quality of our products, but if you take a look, we’ve been running on the track, racing and practicing for the last two months, and so far we’ve not made any major changes on this vehicle. Yet, performance-wise, we’re right up there with the 120-HP vehicles, foul weather and all.”

Tieng added: “The BYD F0’s win in the Circuit Final Showdown shows everyone here just how competitive our world-class product is against the more established brands.”

Star Corp. retails the BYD F0 GL-AT at P628,000, the GLX-i MT at P545,000, and the basic G-i MT at P468,000. If you ask me, the GLX-i MT is the best buy among the three F Zero variants.