Launched: Dongfeng Box – 2 Variants, Up To 430 KM CLTC Range, From RM100,000

Following week-long teasers and leaks, Central Auto Distributors Bhd (CADB), a subsidiary of  the Association of Malay Importers and Traders of Motor Vehicles Malaysia (PEKEMA), officially launched its first EV offering in the form of the Dongfeng Box.

Introduced earlier today at the Dongfeng Cars Malaysia HQ in Kota Damansara, the Box sees two variants offered for Malaysia, those being the E2 and E3 guises. Aptly, both variants are separated by varying levels of kit and, critically, their respective battery capacities and claimed range figures.

In terms of design, the Dongfeng Box, which is also marketed as the Dongfeng Nammi 01 in its native China, features a very rounded, friendly design with plenty of hints and touches ‘borrowed’ from a number of other EVs.

Shared across both are snazzy LED headlights with a connecting full-width light bar, LED taillights, stowaway door handles, as well as frameless windows. What sets the E2 apart from the E3 is its choice of ‘aerodynamic’ wheels covers for its 16-inch steel rolling stock.

Opt for the higher-specced E3 guise and it rolls on proper two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels, and it also boast a distinct white-painted roof option that provides a two-tone offset to its stance. As for colourways, there are four single-tone and three dual-tone (E3 only) hues available.

Moving into the cabin and this EV hatch sports a rather upmarket look and feel to things thanks to its adoption of plush faux leather seat covers, dash and door trims, the latter sporting a ‘quilted’ look too. Present across both guises too is a novel cabin ambient lighting suite.

As for tech, you’ll find a 5-inch digital instrument display panel plus a massive 12.8-inch central infotainment display. Natively, the latter does NOT have either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto primed. However, CADB will offer an official Dongfeng-branded dongle to enable which.

CADB adds that built-in Apple CarPlay will come via an over-the-air (OTA) update sometime next year. That aside, the infotainment does offer Bluetooth connectivity at the very least, as well as 360-degree parking view monitor for the E3 variant.

Moving on to the mechanical bits, both variants share the same front-mounted e-motor rated at 94 HP (70 kW) and 160 NM to drive the front wheels. No 0-100 KM/H time was specified, but a 0-50 KM/H sprint time between 4.6 secs and 4.8 secs was noted instead.

With the E2 variant, it packs a 32.56 kWh LFP battery pack that accepts 3.3 kW AC charging input. The E3 variant gets a larger 43.89 kWh pack, as well as quicker 6.6 kW AC charging ability. Both however share the capped 87 kW DC charging input that promises 30-80% charges in 30 minutes.

As for range, CADB touts both CLTC and NEDC figures, but do note that the former are rather optimistic at 330 KM (E2) and 430 KM (E3). The latter rating seems more realistic with its touted 283 KM (E2) and 384 KM (E3) figures instead.

Moving on to safety, the E3 variant gets the full bell and whistles whereby it packs a slew of Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS) features as standard.

It includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning and Keeping Assist (LDW + LKA), as well as intelligent Traffic Jam and Highway Driving Assistance (TJA + HWA), all included.

The base E2 guises gets none of which, offering just the basics that encompasses two airbags, ABS with EBD  and BA braking suites, electronic stability control (ESC), hill-start assist (HAC), as well as ISOFIX childseat anchors.

Moving on to price, the Dongfeng Box E2 starts at RM100,000 whilst the higher-end Box E3 guise commands RM113,700, or RM115,700 with the dual-tone paint option ticked. Included is both a 5-year or 150,000 KM base vehicle warranty and a separate 8-year or 150,000 KM EV battery warranty.

At launch, CADB is also offering special early bird packages and rewards. Highlights include complimentary portable charger, and a front cabin storage. There’s also the choice between free charging credits RM3,000, a free home wallbox charger, or free service maintenance worth RM3,000.

So, which would you choose then, folks? This new entry? The BYD Dolphin? The Neta V? Or perhaps the GWM ORA Good Cat? Share your thoughts in the comments below, as well as our social media pages…