- Comfortable ride
- Vague steering
- Front seats lack support
- Interior lacks sound insulation
- Automatic transmission often caught in wrong gear
Review: Daewoo Mk.I Lanos (1997-99)
Overview
Released in August 1997, the Daewoo Mk.I Lanos was available as a three- or five-door hatchback or as a four-door sedan. Manufactured in Bupyeong, South Korea, the Lanos range initially consisted of the SE and SX variants, powered by 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre engines respectively. In 1998 and 1999, the range was expanded with the introduction of Limited Edition and Sports variants, respectively. Of the engines,
- The 1.5-litre ‘Family I’ petrol engine had a single overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.5:1; and,
- The 1.6-litre ‘Family I’ petrol engine had double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.5:1.
Transmission options consisted of five-speed manual and four-speed automatic units.
Replacing the Daewoo Cielo, the Lanos hatchbacks were 4074 mm long, 1678 mm wide, 1432 mm tall and had 2520 mm long wheelbases; the sedans were 163 mm longer (at 4237 mm), though the other dimensions were unchanged. Furthermore, the Lanos had MacPherson strut front suspension and compound torsion beam rear suspension.
| Body | Engine | Variant | Trans. | Years | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3dr hatch | 1.5-litre petrol I4 | SE | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
1997-99 | 63 kW at 5400 rpm | 130 Nm at 3400 rpm |
| 1.6-litre petrol I4 | SX | 5sp man. | 1997-99 | 78 kW at 5800 rpm | 145 Nm at 3800 rpm | |
| 5dr hatch | 1.5-litre petrol I4 | SE | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
1997-99 | 63 kW at 5400 rpm | 130 Nm at 3400 rpm |
| Limited Edition | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
1998 | ||||
| 4dr sedan | 1.5-litre petrol I4 | SE | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
1997-99 | 63 kW at 5400 rpm | 130 Nm at 3400 rpm |
| Limited Edition | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
1998 | ||||
| 1.6-litre petrol I4 | SX | 5sp man. | 1997-99 | 78 kW at 5800 rpm | 145 Nm at 3800 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Lanos was limited to front seatbelt pretensioners.
ANCAP and Euro NCAP crash testing
In ANCAP crash testing , a three door Lanos hatch received a one star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 7.29. In the frontal offset crash test, the passenger compartment was substantially deformed and the Lanos provided poor protection from serious head and leg injury for the driver. In the side impact test, there was a high risk of life threatening abdomen injury for the driver.
In Euro NCAP crash testing , a three-door Lanos hatch – that was fitted with a driver’s airbag – received a three star adult occupant protection rating, though the third star was flagged due to the ‘unacceptably high risk of chest injury in the side impact’ test.
Features
Standard features for the Lanos SE included a four speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player and air conditioning. The Limited Edition variant was based on the SE and added a CD player, central locking and powered front windows; the SX variants were further equipped with 14-inch alloy wheels.
Review: Daewoo Mk.II Lanos (1999-03)
Overview
Released in November 1999, the Mk.II Lanos introduced a revised range and mechanical upgrades. Mechanically, ride and handling were improved through a re-tuned stabiliser bar and increased shock absorber damping rates; the control arm was also strengthened for better straight-line stability.
| Body | Engine | Variant | Trans. | Years | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3dr hatch | 1.5-litre petrol I4 | SE | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
1999-03 | 63 kW at 5400 rpm | 130 Nm at 3400 rpm |
| 1.6-litre petrol I4 | Sport | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
1999-02 | 78 kW at 5800 rpm | 145 Nm at 3800 rpm | |
| 5dr hatch | 1.5-litre petrol I4 | SE | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
1999-02 | 63 kW at 5400 rpm | 130 Nm at 3400 rpm |
| 4dr sedan | 1.5-litre petrol I4 | SE | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
1999-02 | 63 kW at 5400 rpm | 130 Nm at 3400 rpm |
Features
Standard features for the SE were substantially the same as for the its Mk.I counterpart. The Sport added 14-inch six-spoke alloy wheels, a CD player, central locking, powered front windows and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Sport was also visually differentiated by its six-spoke alloy wheels, unique tail lights, black and red seat trim, side skirts and side mouldings.
Lanos X-Series
In May 2000, limited-run X-Series editions were released of the SE variants; the SE X-Series was distinguished by its alloy wheels, rear spoiler and ‘X-Series’ decals.
Lanos SE Limited editions
In February 2002, Limited editions of the SE variants were released; the Lanos SE Limited was distinguished by its 13-inch alloy wheels, CD player, floor mats, metallic interior highlights and rear spoiler.
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