The Chinese tot is here to ensure the Mini Cooper and GWM Ora don’t have it all to themselves
13 December 2024 - 11:22
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
The new Dongfeng Box is a chic-looking thing with its contrast colour roof and bright colours. Picture: SUPPLIED
With many Chinese brands eyeing the local market to fill in the gaps, Dongfeng will be the latest brand from the east to launch a passenger car in SA in January 2025. The Dongfeng Box is a chic electric hatchback.
The hatchback with LED lights, frameless doors, flush fit inductive door handles and colour-contrast floating roof has a similar, colourful urban fashionista ethos as the Mini Cooper hatch and the GWM Ora 03. With a 4,020mm length, 1,810mm width and 2,660mm wheelbase, the newcomer sits between the VW Polo and Polo Vivo in size as benchmark favourites, and with a 326l cargo volume.
It’s a promising start, considering SA customer needs for a hatch that seats at least five passengers. Cabin functionality is enhanced by a drawer-type storage box that can be used as a table on the front passenger side while both front seats can recline fully to create a lounge set up.
The cabin of the Dongfeng Box can be configured for a lounge area to stretch out from when stationary. Picture: SUPPLIED
The minimalist interior is styled for a premium ambience with fine surface materials and a large 12.8” touchscreen. Though local specification isn’t finalised, in other markets the car comes with heated and ventilated seats, but expect air conditioning, USB ports, 32-colour ambient lighting and wireless charging for mobile devices, Bluetooth and keyless entry.
Power options are a 31.45kWh lithium-ion battery with a 330km range or a larger capacity 42.3kWh unit that yields 430km on a full charge. The electric motor produces 70kW and 160Nm and powers the front wheels only. The 0-100km/h time is 12.5 seconds with a top speed of 140km/h. Charging takes seven hours on a 6.6kW AC home wallbox charger and 44 minutes to fill up from 10%-80% on a faster public DC charger.
The Dongfeng Box is part of a wide portfolio of products marketed by the Chinese state-owned manufacturer headquartered in Wuhan, Hubei. The company that produces vehicles also has two other premium electric drive subsidiaries, including the Voyah range of premium electric SUVs and MPVs, and the rugged Mhero full and hybrid electric SUVs.
The Dongfeng Box gets smart technology such as wireless charging for mobile devices. Picture: SUPPLIED
Dongfeng says it will introduce two more cars in the new year and, along with the Box, they will be distributed locally by E Auto Motor SA, a local start-up established in 2024. The company says it has invested up to $5m (about R89m) in state-of-the-art infrastructure, including 4S service centres, spare parts and service hubs, and urban exhibition halls in major cities in SA.
Pricing and warranties will finalised at launch but in some European countries the Dongfeng Box was launched at €23,000 (R425,795.)
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Local News
Cute Dongfeng Box coming to SA in January 2025
The Chinese tot is here to ensure the Mini Cooper and GWM Ora don’t have it all to themselves
With many Chinese brands eyeing the local market to fill in the gaps, Dongfeng will be the latest brand from the east to launch a passenger car in SA in January 2025. The Dongfeng Box is a chic electric hatchback.
The hatchback with LED lights, frameless doors, flush fit inductive door handles and colour-contrast floating roof has a similar, colourful urban fashionista ethos as the Mini Cooper hatch and the GWM Ora 03. With a 4,020mm length, 1,810mm width and 2,660mm wheelbase, the newcomer sits between the VW Polo and Polo Vivo in size as benchmark favourites, and with a 326l cargo volume.
It’s a promising start, considering SA customer needs for a hatch that seats at least five passengers. Cabin functionality is enhanced by a drawer-type storage box that can be used as a table on the front passenger side while both front seats can recline fully to create a lounge set up.
The minimalist interior is styled for a premium ambience with fine surface materials and a large 12.8” touchscreen. Though local specification isn’t finalised, in other markets the car comes with heated and ventilated seats, but expect air conditioning, USB ports, 32-colour ambient lighting and wireless charging for mobile devices, Bluetooth and keyless entry.
Power options are a 31.45kWh lithium-ion battery with a 330km range or a larger capacity 42.3kWh unit that yields 430km on a full charge. The electric motor produces 70kW and 160Nm and powers the front wheels only. The 0-100km/h time is 12.5 seconds with a top speed of 140km/h. Charging takes seven hours on a 6.6kW AC home wallbox charger and 44 minutes to fill up from 10%-80% on a faster public DC charger.
The Dongfeng Box is part of a wide portfolio of products marketed by the Chinese state-owned manufacturer headquartered in Wuhan, Hubei. The company that produces vehicles also has two other premium electric drive subsidiaries, including the Voyah range of premium electric SUVs and MPVs, and the rugged Mhero full and hybrid electric SUVs.
Dongfeng says it will introduce two more cars in the new year and, along with the Box, they will be distributed locally by E Auto Motor SA, a local start-up established in 2024. The company says it has invested up to $5m (about R89m) in state-of-the-art infrastructure, including 4S service centres, spare parts and service hubs, and urban exhibition halls in major cities in SA.
Pricing and warranties will finalised at launch but in some European countries the Dongfeng Box was launched at €23,000 (R425,795.)
Audi A3 range gets more tweaks and features from 2025
REVIEW: Mahindra 3XO lifts the Indian brand to new heights
EU political group wants to reverse ban on combustion cars
BYD Dolphin launched as SA’s cheapest EV
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.