Previewed: Forthing Friday – SKD Plus REEV & EV Planned, Est. From RM140,000

New Chinese upstart auto brand Forthing was previewed quietly at the on-going GATE 2025 expo this week at the KL Convention Centre.

Now that you’re up to speed about the Dongfeng-owned Forthing brand and how it will enter Malaysia through distributors Wide Premium Sdn Bhd sometime next month, we’ll now dive deeper into the Forthing Friday C-SUV previewed by the firm at GATE 2025.

As briefed, this is a C-SUV offering, but the notable twist besides the planned partially localised (SKD) final assembly plan, distributors Wide Premium Sdn Bhd looks set to launch it in both range-extended (REEV) and fully electric (EV) versions too.

Shown at GATE 2025 was the Forthing Friday REEV C-SUV offering, and representatives have confirmed plans to introduce an EV version alongside, as well as SKD plans.

Each will see two trimlines on offer too – base-spec ‘Luxury’ and up-specced ‘Exclusive’ guises for the REEV, followed by a ‘Standard’ and ‘Extended’ guises for the EV. These variant designations are aptly self-explanatory.

As for price, representatives from Wide Premium Sdn Bhd shared that EV variants will start from an estimated RM140,000, whilst the petrol-electric REEV variants will command a higher estimated starting price of RM150,000.

We’ll have to wait for the brand’s official launch that is currently slated to take place next month for details on after-sales and warranties – not to mention its local dealership network. In the meantime, here’s what we can expect based on official brochures issued.

In terms of size, the Friday from Dongfeng-owned Forthing seems to conform to typical C-SUV dimensions.

Size & Dimensions

In terms of footprint, the Forthing Friday conforms to typical C-segment SUV dimensions. Both REEV and EV variants sit 4,600 mm long with a 2,715 mm wheelbase, 1,860 mm wide, and 1,680 mm tall.

All will also share the same 480-litre standard boot space that’s expandable up to 1,480 litres thanks to folding rear seats. As for weight, both REEV and EV variants are touted to also share the same claimed 1,820 KG kerb weight.

Forthing Friday in EV form pictured. A max range of up to 400 KM (WLTP) is touted for which stemming from a 64.4 kWh battery pack.

Powertrains

Starting with the REEV first, it merges both a 1.5-litre turbo petrol range-extender engine rated at 102 PS and 130 Nm paired with a 43-litre fuel tank. Said mill charges up a 31.94 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack that juices an e-motor that drives the front wheels (FWD) with 163 PS and 240 Nm outputs instead.

Said battery pack in the REEV can be recharged via a 6.6 kW AC on-board charger. Overseas, up to 600 KM of electric-only range is touted, whilst combined petrol-electric range claim reads at 1,150 KM, though the standards for how this is rated remains unclear for the moment (these are likely CLTC figures).

The EV variants are simpler to fathom as it employs a larger 64.4 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack that juices a front-mounted e-motor outputting 204 PS and 240 Nm. For this setup, Forthing touts both CLTC and WLTP range figures of up to 500 KM and 400 KM respectively. It also notes both 11 kW AC and 80 kW DC charging speeds are available.

There is a slight difference at chassis level between the REEV and EV variants - the latter gains a multi-link rear suspension assembly instead of the former's torsion beam setup.

Chassis

There are slight differences to note at chassis level too. Whilst the front MacPherson struts suspension setup are shared across all guises, the REEV rides on a torsion beam rear suspension assembly instead of a multi-link independent setup brimmed in the EV variants.

That aside, all share the same all-round disc brakes setup, as well as 19-inch rolling stock wrapped in 235/55-profile tyres.

Range-topping Exclusive (REEV) and Extended (EV) guises will benefit with a full ADAS package suite that bring 10 assist features.

Safety & ADAS

Naturally, only the range-topping Exclusive (REEV) and Extended (EV) variants gain things like increased airbag count and 360-degree panoramic camera view, though bits like a tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS), Hill-Descent Control (HDC), Hill-Hold Control (HHC), and electronic auto brake-hold functions are shared across the board.

These come on top of core basics that include ABS brakes, stability and traction control suites plus ISOFIX childseart anchors that’s brimmed across the board.

As for advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) features, there are at least 10 of which listed, all brimmed in the Exclusive and Extended range-toppers only. It includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), forward and rear collision warning (FCW & RCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning and prevention (LDW & LDP) plus lane-change assist (LCA), blind spot monitoring (BSD), door open warning (DOW), and rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA).

From what we were able to size up, the Forthing Friday REEV is indeed specced to sell as it comes fully loaded with plenty of tech and amenities.

Tech & Amenities

Lastly, in terms of tech, all guises are set to firstly feature an 8.8-inch LED digital instrument panel, followed by a massive 14.6-inch ‘intelligent’ touchscreen infotainment brimmed with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six-speaker audio suite, as well as well as an assortment of USB-A and USB-C plus 12-volt charging ports.

Shared across the board too are basics like keyless entry and ignition (start) and 50-watt wireless charging pad. Range-toppers are instead bolstered with power-adjustable front seats with memory, ventilation and driver-side massage functions, as well as a panoramic sunroof with powered sunshade.

Expect more details once the Forthing brand is officially launched, and we were informed this will take place next month (Dec).

More Details At Launch

This is as far as we can dissect from sizing up the Forthing Friday REEV and EV C-SUV previewed at GATE 2025. We’ll have more once it officially launches in Dec.

In the meantime, from what we’ve reported, do you think either has what it takes to take note rivals like the Proton e.MAS 7, MG S5 EV, BYD Atto 3, Jaecoo J7, and perhaps the upcoming next-gen Nissan X-Trail e-Power?

As usual, share your take in the comments below…