2011 Geely LC Cross Photos, engines & full specs

After successfully introducing the LC lineup in 2008 and gaining popularity as the first Chinese automaker able to produce a vehicle with a five-star rating in the local crash test, Geely dared more and introduced a crossover version for this model and named LC Cross, although it had different names on various markets, such as the Panda.

Geely was a big manufacturer of small vehicles, and its reputation grew after it launched the LC in 2008. Two years later, in 2010, it got a five-star rating on local crash-test results, rocketing the car's sales. Still, customers wanted something that they could use on unpaved roads and park over curbs. So, in 2011, Geely introduced a "SUV-izied" version for it, the LC Cross or Panda Cross, depending on the market. Unlike many other automakers who just jacked up the suspension, put unpainted clads on the bodywork, and called it a day, Geely came up with unusual ideas for this small-sized segment.

The car's exterior featured the same rounded headlights but with projector headlamps inside them. Moreover, while the upper section of the bumper sported body colors, the lower one was black, unpainted, and scratch-resistant and featured two round fog lamps. Finally, to further emphasize the crossover stance, the automaker added a light-gray underbody shield underneath the bumper's middle section. From its profile, the egg-shaped vehicle featured a jacked-up suspension, like most other crossovers from its class. In addition, a set of black clads adorned the doors, although those were mostly useful against shopping carts. But the most intriguing part of the vehicle was on the back. There, Geely installed a bumper with an unpainted lower section and a full-size spare wheel mounted on the tailgate. This was an unusual solution.

Inside, the automaker kept the same simple lines of the dashboard with rounded shapes on the center stack and an instrument cluster filled with a large speedometer and a smaller tachometer on its left. In addition, a small LCD showed the odometer. On the center stack, the automaker installed a stereo and the turning knobs for the HVAC. The regular seats carried over from the standard Panda (or LC) featured cloth upholstery with contrasting colors. At the same time, the rear seats benefited from the same treatment, and the seatback could fold in a single piece. Finally, the trunk was slightly larger than in its non-crossover version since the spare wheel wasn't there anymore.

The car's underpinning featured the same 1.3-liter or 1.5-liter gasoline engines, depending on the market, as the Geely LC and both versions were paired with a five-speed manual that sent the power to the front wheels. Unlike its street-oriented sibling, the LC Cross featured different springs and suspension struts that helped the car get a higher ground clearance.