Part II: Behind the Wheel

Peng may or may not be the typical owner of a red 2006 Chery QQ--a car, the Chery website claims, that "oozes personality and sparkle." But when Peng's friend Sarah asked him, in Chinese, if he would drive me, a complete stranger, around the Peking University campus to experience Chinese engineering first-hand, he didn't hesitate.

Climbing into the back seat of the tiny 4-door I found that Peng had outfitted the interior with beige fabric and that a St. Bernard dog doll was hanging from the rearview mirror. Like many Chinese drivers, Peng leaned on the horn as we moved through the crowded streets, parting the masses as we went. There was more leg room in the back than I'd imagined there would be. (The car is extremely narrow.) When I asked Peng, through Sarah, if he liked the car he answered, in English, "Yes."

Perhaps, then he'd let me have the pleasure of driving the car?

"Yes," again.

After installing myself in the intimate driver's quarters I quickly realized that I was less concerned with the Chery's handling and roadworthiness than with simply starting a strange car without stalling while the owner sat directly behind me. The simple interior inspired that sinking feeling of settling into a spartan rental car and hoping that the trip would be a short one. The pedals seemed very close together, and there was more than an element of faith as I gently took my foot off what I hoped was the clutch.

We eased into the street full of students, on foot and on bicycle, and Sarah encouraged me to "Just honk," as if only a fool would drive quietly while there was anyone else on the road. I assured Peng that the Chery was impressive and he beamed from the back seat. We crept through the streets--silently--in low gear until, on a curved, deserted street, things picked up a bit. But only a bit. Whether the QQ "dances to fashion beats," as the site asserts, is a matter of opinion, but the acceleration was rather meek. Still, it drove easily, and was certainly no lemon. It's not going to inspire intense pleasure in drivers taking corners in fourth gear, but then it's not designed to.

There's a saying among a certain generation of Chinese that Mao was "70 percent good, 30 percent bad." As with the QQ's alleged reaction to "fashion beats," the accuracy of one's view of the claim about the Chairman is deeply subjective--but I'd say the 70/30 ratio seems a fair assessment of the Chery's qualities, as well.

--David Coggins