Dongfeng has officially launched in South Africa.
The Chinese automaker has opened its first dealership in Pretoria, and our sources at Duoporta Vehicle Information Specialists have uncovered the pricing for its first vehicle – the Dongfeng Box.
The Box is a small electric hatchback that made an appearance at this year’s Festival of Motoring, and is now available in four specifications, with prices starting at R459,000.
This makes it the second cheapest electric passenger car in the country after the BYD Dolphin Surf, which starts at R339,900.
The new car brand also has two other models lined up for our market – the 007 Sedan and the 06 SUV.
Powertrain
All four versions of the Box are powered by a single front-mounted electric motor, which generates 70kW and 160Nm, and has a top speed of 140km/h.
The main difference between the variants is the battery, as the first two models – E1 330 and E2 330 – use a 32.6kWh lithium-ion power source.
This gives them a range of 330km (hence the “330” designation), according to the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC).
Note that this is not the same as the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP), which is the more commonly used standard.
Based on previous CLTC to WLTP conversions, the Box 330 likely has a range of around 271km.
The alternative is the E2 430 and E3 430, which employ a larger 43.9kWh battery with a CLTC range of 430km.
Converting this to WLTP gives a range of around 350km.
The Box supports both AC and DC charging speeds, the latter of which can top up the cells in 30 minutes.
Features
Starting with its size, the Dongfeng is 4,020mm long, 1,810mm wide, and 1,570mm tall.
This puts it in the same bracket as B-segment hatchbacks like the VW Polo, Hyundai i20, or Opel Corsa.
The company has not yet provided a full breakdown of the vehicle’s equipment across all four specifications; however, it disclosed several features at the Festival of Motoring earlier this year.
Standard fittings include automatic LED headlights and daytime running lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, a multifunction steering wheel, cloth seats, air conditioning, a 5-inch digital driver display, a 12.8-inch infotainment screen with smartphone mirror-link, tyre pressure monitoring, rear parking sensors, Isofix child seat mounts, two airbags, and a 375-litre boot.
Higher trim levels will then add nice-to-haves like keyless entry, electric front seats, two-tone artificial leather upholstery, a wireless charging pad, ambient lighting, automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, front collision warning, and lane-keep assist.
Pricing
The South African pricing for the new Dongfeng Box is as follows:
- Dongfeng Box E1 330 – R459,900
- Dongfeng Box E2 330 – R469,000
- Dongfeng Box E2 430 – R499,900
- Dongfeng Box E3 430 – R519,000
This includes a 5-year/150,000km warranty, a 5-year/100,000km service plan, and an 8-year/200,000km warranty covering the battery and high-voltage components.
Dongfeng Box
Dongfeng Pretoria Dealership
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