2001DaewooLanosDaewoo Lanos2001 Daewoo Lanos Sport HatchbackCoupeHatchbackFWDKoreaDaewoo adds the new Sport Hatchback model to the Lanos lineup for 2001, but discontinues the SE Hatchback and SX Sedan. Pacific Blue Mica and Red Rock Mica are added to the palette for the sedan and hatchback, while Super Red and Granada Black Mica are available exclusively on the Sport. The new premium package available on the S models includes power windows, power door locks, power passenger rearview mirror, tilt steering wheel, AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo, digital clock and variable intermittent wipers.Snazzy styling, cheap sticker prices, fun in turns.Unproven reliability, whiny engine, cheap interior materials, financially challenged manufacturer.Struggling Korean automaker Daewoo continues to try and convince North American consumers that it's got what it takes to be competitive in the economy car marketplace. Trouble is, few people are buying it, despite the offer of free maintenance for the first year and 12,000 miles. So Daewoo is trying to spark interest in the entry-level Lanos by adding a Sport model, which amounts to little more than cosmetic upgrades. Available as a three-door hatchback or a four-door sedan, the Lanos is about the size of a Hyundai Accent. That means small. Because the Lanos is such a tiny car, anyone over 6 feet tall should not bother trying find a comfortable seating position. But the price matches the car's size, and for that nominal fee you get suspension tuning from Porsche and styling from ItalDesign. Despite these impressive credentials, creative types in our office refer to this as the "Lamos." Lanos comes with a 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve engine that makes 105 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 106 foot-pounds of torque at 3,400 rpm. A five-speed manual transmission is also standard, but buyers may choose an optional four-speed automatic. Acceleration, characterized as "spirited" by Daewoo spokespeople, is actually rather leisurely. Zero to 60 takes 11 seconds with the manual and 12.5 seconds with the automatic. All models are equipped with a MacPherson strut front suspension, which the press kit boasts, "provides resistance to vibration and shock." Also standard for your protection are pre-tensioning seatbelts. Stiff suspension tuning makes the Lanos fun in corners. Thank you, Porsche. Fit and finish are quite good, and the paint positively shimmers. But the dash is made of what appears to be the least expensive plastic on the planet, and the motor thrashes at higher revs. The lack of a tachometer means you can't tell if you're still within an acceptable operating range or are about to blow the engine. The new premium package available on the sedan and hatchback includes power windows, power door locks, power passenger-side rearview mirror, tilt steering wheel, CD player, digital clock and variable intermittent wipers. The Sport model includes many of these goodies, plus red leather and brushed aluminum interior trim, alloy wheels, side skirting and a rear spoiler. What's missing is, you guessed it, more power. Prices for this entry-level car range from just over $9,000 for the bare-bones hatchback to more than $13,000 for a loaded three-door Sport. But with increasingly stiff competition in the inexpensive-car arena from Kia, Hyundai and Toyota, Daewoo will have to come up with more than just new paint colors and a Sport model to prove itself a worthy opponent. Honda CivicHyundai AccentMitsubishi MirageSuzuki Swift336,000560,000336,0005UnlimitedNANANA41.6 litersInline105 hp @ 5800 rpm106 ft-lbs. @ 3400 rpm160.4 in.66.1 in.56.4 in.2447 lbs.99.2 in.38.9 in.37.8 in.53.5 in.53.5 in.NANA42.8 in.34.6 in.8.8 cu.ft.Not AvailableStandardNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested12.7 gal.25 mpg / 35 mpg22 mpg / 32 mpg318 mi. / 445 mi.279 mi. / 406 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$11,309$12,9997.35%$430N/ANo HoldbackS HATCHBACK (5M): 1.6L I4 DOHC MPI 16-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 550 amp battery; 85 amp alternator; front-wheel drive, 4.18 axle ratio; partial stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs; rack-and-pinion power steering; front disc/rear drum brakes; 12.7 gal. capacity fuel tank; front and rear mud flaps, side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's manual remote black folding outside mirrors; 14" x 5.5" silver alloy wheels; P185/60SR14 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, CD changer pre-wiring, 4 speakers, theft deterrent, fixed antenna; remote fuel door release; 1 power accessory outlet, front lighter element, driver's foot rest, smokers' package; instrumentation display includeswater temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, water temp, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, door ajar, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags; tinted windows; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, driver's seat includes 8-way adjustment and easy entry, passenger's seat includes 4-way adjustment and easy entry; 60/40 folding rear bench seat with fixed headrests; height-adjustable front seatbelts; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering; interior lights include dome light; vanity mirrors; day/night rearview mirror; partial floor console, glove box, front cupholder, instrument panel bin, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo cover; chrome grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rearwindow molding and black door handles.
SPORT HATCHBACK (5M) (in addition to or instead of S HATCHBACK (5M) equipment): Driver's manual remote, and passenger's power outside mirrors; air conditioning; single-disc CD player; instrumentation display includes in-dash clock; driver's window includes 1-touch down function; leather seats.
S SEDAN (5M) (in addition to or instead of SPORT HATCHBACK (5M) equipment): Driver's and passenger's manual remote outside mirrors; CD changer pre-wiring; child-safety rear door locks, remote trunk release; manual front and rear windows; cloth seats; full floor console, glove box, front cupholder, instrument panel bin, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor and cargo light.