The expanded Dongfeng range is headlined by the new Friday SUV.
Image: Jason Woosey
Dongfeng is a relatively unknown entity in South Africa, but it has big ambitions for the local market, and this became apparent through the sheer number of new products on display at its Festival of Motoring stand at Kyalami this week.
Dongfeng is one of China’s four major state-owned car companies, and it’s currently distributed in South Africa by E Auto Motor SA, with the Box, 06 and 007 having been the first products out the, er, box.
The brand currently has 16 dealerships operating in South Africa, with plans to expand the footprint to around 40 by year-end. This will be underpinned by numerous product introductions, including the new Dongfeng Friday.
This midsize family SUV with sleek, but somewhat generic lines, will be available in fully electric as well as range-extended electric (REEV) variants, with the first units set to reach showrooms around October.
Company representatives that IOL spoke to said the REEV is expected to carry a price tag in the region of R560,000 to R580,000, while the full EV should cost around R580,000 to R600,000.
Dongfeng Friday.
Image: Supplied
Of course, the range-extended model has a much smaller (31 kWh) battery, limiting the claimed electric range to around 200km, versus the 400km range claimed for the full EV, which boasts a 64 kWh battery. However, thanks to a 1.5-litre engine generator, the REEV can manage a total range of around 1,300km.
Final South African specifications have yet to be announced, but Dongfeng’s international websites list total power outputs of 130kW for the REEV and 150kW for the EV.
Dongfeng also used the Festival to preview its new Kaiyi family of compact electric vehicles.
Kaiyi e-Qute 04
Image: Jason Woosey
The smallest of these, the Kaiyi e-Qute 04, is expected to cost around R280,000 to R300,000 when it launches later this year, which would make it the least expensive electric car on the market, undercutting the R339,900 Geely E2.
However, the compact hatchback is perhaps best viewed as a city car, with its 39 kWh battery allowing a range of just 280km and its 40kW motor likely offering modest performance.
Kaiyi 05.
Image: Kaiyi 05
The Kaiyi brand will also launch a larger SUV model called the ‘05’, which promises to be a more highway-friendly proposition with an output of 120kW and a claimed range in the region of 410km. Pricing, however, is expected to be in the R520,000 to R550,000 range.
The recently introduced Dongfeng 007 also attracted plenty of attention at the Festival, with its sporty lines and fastback profile inviting comparisons with the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.
Dongfeng 007
Image: Jason Woosey
The 007 was never driven by James Bond, but it certainly has enough power for his exploits, with the flagship version boasting 400kW. 160kW and 200kW versions are also available, with prices starting from R799,000.
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