What is the Oley Car?
3 Answers
Oley is a compact car under the FAW Oley brand, specifically a hatchback model. It is equipped with a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine delivering a maximum power of 75kW and a peak torque of 135Nm. The engine reaches its maximum power at 6000 rpm and peak torque at 4400 rpm. This engine features multi-point fuel injection technology and utilizes an aluminum cylinder head with a cast iron cylinder block. The front fascia design of the Oley mirrors that of the sedan version, retaining the hexagonal grille with wide horizontal slats. The lower air intake adopts a U-shaped smiley-face style, blending sporty aesthetics with approachable charm.
I previously researched the Oley, a self-owned brand sedan launched by FAW in 2012, targeting the young and sporty market. This car was developed based on the modified PQ32 platform of the old Jetta, emphasizing a cost-effective approach. What's particularly interesting is its winged front grille design, which was quite trendy at the time, and many owners even customized it with body decals. It was equipped with either a 1.5L or 1.6L engine, paired with a 5-speed manual or Aisin 4AT transmission. Unfortunately, sales never took off, and it was discontinued around 2015. Nowadays, you might occasionally spot a few second-hand Oleys on the road, but finding parts for them is indeed challenging. Its positioning was actually to succeed the entry-level Xiali model, with a price range of around 60,000 to 90,000 yuan.
I remember this car so clearly! Back in the day, it was a common sight at auto repair shops, with many modified versions featuring red paint and black roofs. The Oley was actually a derivative of the old Jetta, sharing almost the same chassis, but FAW redesigned it with a fastback style. It was marketed with a focus on modification culture, even sporting a checkered flag logo on the steering wheel to represent its racing DNA. Powered by the CA4GA series engine, the manual transmission was notably smooth and responsive. The interior did feel a bit plasticky, but it was perfect for young drivers to practice with. Unfortunately, as market competition intensified and rivals like the Emgrand offered increasingly better features at the same price point, the Oley gradually faded away. Nowadays, it's rare to find one in good condition on the used car market.
