The Daewoo Matiz is a city car produced by the South Korean automaker GM Daewoo that has been marketed worldwide since 1998. Available solely as a five-door hatchback with two engine configurations, and replacing the Daewoo Tico, the Matiz was originally designed by Italdesign Giugiaro and has been facelifted twice.

Notably, the Matiz was at the center of a 2006 international intellectual property rights controversy, its design allegedly copied outright by Chinese manufacturer Chery's QQ.

Conception

The Daewoo Matiz started production in 1998 and sold in South Korea and many European markets with the code name M100. The exterior design is based on the Lucciola, a Fiat Cinquecento concept by Italdesign Giugiaro which had been rejected by Fiat. The 0.8-litre gasoline engine and the transmission were carryovers from the Daewoo Tico. The car became the best selling Daewoo model in Europe for the next four years.

Body styles

The Matiz is available in one body style: a five-door hatchback.

Engine configurations

The Matiz was originally launched with just a 0.8L 3-cylinder engine, however with the 2001 model-year revisions a 1.0L 4-cylinder was added to the upper models of the range. In 2008 the 0.8L was revised to fall below the 120g/km level, thus qualifying for the UK's £35 road tax band and no London Congestion Charge.