This sporty beauty is the Hafei Saibao, a very cool Chinese concept car. The Saibao, meaning Leopard, debuted on the 2003 Shanghai Auto Show. It was designed by Pininfarina and partially based on the Lotus Elise.
A leaflet for the Saibao, with a special script for the word Saibao, with arrows on the ends and the Hafei badge above the ‘ib’.
At the time, Lotus Engineering and Pininfarina were very busy exploring the Chinese market and they both had opened offices in China. At Hafei, Lotus Engineering had been involved with the chassis of the Hafei Lobo. Pininfarina designed both the Lobo and the Hefei Menghuan concept car.
The specs say the Saibao was powered by a “Lotus 1.8 DOHC16 engine” with 100 kW/135 CV. This most likely refers to the Rover K-series 1800 engine (18K4F), which was available in the Lotus Elise 2 (2001-2011). This motor had an output of either 120 or 136 hp. Gearbox was mated to a 5-speed manual, sending horses to the rear wheels. The engine was located in the rear but Hafei never showed it.
Size wise the Saibao and the Elise were very close:
Hafei Saibao: 3740/1790/1070, with a 2375 wheelbase.
Lotus Elise Series 2: 3785/1719/1143, with a 2300 wheelbase.
Curb weight was just 750 kilo, even less than the Elise, which weighed 860 kilo.
The Hafei Saibao was a very compact package, low, and light. It is a true speedster with the wheels as far to the corners as was possible. The mirrors are standing on tall stalks on the body.
The front is wide with two gaping air intakes. It has lights on the inside of the front fenders and in the bumper. Driver and passenger wear helmets. The Saibao looks ready for the racetrack!
The lights in the back of the fins and the Saibao script above the exhaust pipes didn’t make it to the eventual concept car.
Hefei did release images of the Saibao in motion. The one with the car on a watery track looks real enough. Not so sure about this one. It seems they only photoshopped a helmet into the cabin, but there ain’t no body!
The airflow over and under the Saibao. It doesn’t make too much sense but it sure looks cool.
This one is even better! The idea was that owners could take off the fenders for an even more open-air feeling, like in a beach buggy.
The Hafei Saibao at the Shanghai Show. The girl is likely a very tall model. Compare the position of her head with the heads in the photo of the Saibao on the watery track. There is a Pininfarina badge on the door. I really like how compact it was, almost kart-like. Cars have become so gigantic these days.
Hafei worked with a whole lot of companies for the concept car: BBS for the alloys, Sparco for the seats, Michelin for the tires, and Osram for the lights.
It was quite a complex design, especially the aerodynamics. Check for example the winglets inside the air intakes.
Pininfarina badge on the steering wheel. The floor, center tunnel, and gear lever are totally Lotus Elise. But the steering wheel and dashboard are totally new. The wheel has oddly placed buttons for the indicators and lights. The dash is in the center with a big red start button and a small screen for the infotainment.
A very speedy side profile. The Hafei Saibao had scissor doors. The driver’s door is open here.
Shiny silver BBS wheels with the Hafei badge in the middle.
Air goes from the road straight through the ducts to the rear. The rear lights seem a little unfinished.
With the passenger door open, revealing some of the fiery red interior. Note the blue Lobo in the background.
Sadly, the Hafei Saibao didn’t see production. But the Saibao name lived on in an attractive sedan, again designed by Pininfarina. The original Saibao speedster disappeared from sight all too soon, until we brought it back.
cool! also happy new year in advance tycho!