Dongfeng Vigo Malaysia preview –

Other than the Dongfeng 007Central Auto Distributors (CADB) has additionally previewed the Dongfeng Vigo in Malaysia. To not be confused with the seventh-generation Thai-market Toyota Hilux, that is an electrical SUV that’s sized to compete with the World Atto 2.

Nevertheless, provided that will probably be launched within the first quarter of subsequent yr – and thus miss out on tax incentives for CBU fully-imported EVs that expire on December 31 – the Vigo is predicted to be priced nearer to the what the Act 3 and Proton eMas 7 price at the moment. So, seemingly someplace within the area of between RM110,000 and RM120,000, then.

No native specs have been launched simply but, however the Chinese language-market Sweet 06 is powered by a single entrance motor producing 184 PS (135 kW) and 290 Nm of torque, getting it from zero to 50 km/h (not 100 km/h) in 3.6 seconds. High velocity is restricted to 150 km/h.

Two LFP battery sizes are supplied within the Center Kingdom – a 44.94 kWh pack with a claimed vary of 401 km and a 51.87 kWh unit that’s stated to allow as much as 471 km on a single cost. Remember that these figures are on China’s optimistic CLTC cycle; anticipate round 330 km and 380 km on the stricter WLTP cycle. Not precisely stellar for the value, however that is most likely what it’ll be like for CBU EVs shifting ahead.

Charging utilizing a DC quick charger from 30 to 80% takes half-hour with the smaller battery and 18 minutes with the bigger one, the latter accepting as much as 167 kW. Similar to the 007, the Vigo will solely assist as much as 6.6 kW of AC charging, so a full cost takes 8.3 hours with the 44.94 kWh battery and 9 hours with the 51.87 kWh unit. A 3.3 kWh vehicle-to-load (V2L) operate is at the very least included.

Measuring 4,306 mm lengthy, 1,868 mm vast and 1,645 mm tall, the Vigo is 4 millimetres shorter, 38 mm wider and 30 mm decrease than the Atto 2, making it round 149 mm shorter than the Atto 3. Its 2,715 mm wheelbase, nevertheless, is a whopping 95 mm longer than the Atto 2 and barely 5 millimetres shorter than the Atto 3, which ought to profit rear-seat legroom.

On the surface, the Vigo cuts a particular determine with a cool angular design that’s stated to be impressed by a Rubik’s dice, though we will spot quite a lot of styling cues lifted from the Kia EV5. That is most obvious on the entrance, which options inverted L-shaped projector LED headlights joined collectively by a clear plastic bar, underlined by copious quantities of black plastic cladding and a silver skid plate.

Alongside the aspect, you’ll discover chunky squared-off wheel arch extensions, a wraparound windscreen design and distinctive aspect mirrors with black strains operating alongside the centre, sitting atop a sizeable base that features the indications. The flush door handles look to be standard mechanical door pulls (à la trendy BMWs) however are literally mounted gadgets, with buttons beneath for activating the digital releases. The Vigo rides on 17-inch alloy wheels with a full aero fairing, though extra trendy 18-inch alloys can be found.

The rear finish options triangular taillight constructions and the Vigo’s celebration piece – a split-opening tailgate akin to a BMW X5 or a Vary Rover. This opens as much as a commodious 500 litre boot, and in contrast to the 007’s one-piece rear bench, the pews on the again of this automobile are break up 60:40. There’s additionally a dual-level boot flooring and many storage beneath, and whereas the automobile you see right here doesn’t have a entrance boot, we’ve been assured that buyer items can have one.

Contained in the Vigo sits a minimalist cabin with a multifunction centre console, housing loads of storage areas, a 50-watt Qi wi-fi charging tray and a minimum of three pull-out cupholders. As per the 007, there’s an 8.8-inch instrument show and a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, the latter with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The entrance occupants sit on six-way power-adjustable seats with driver’s aspect reminiscence and air flow, upholstered in fake leather-based. There’s additionally single-zone auto aircon, tilt-only (no telescopic) steering wheel adjustment and customisable ambient lighting with the standard Chinese language-car “rhythmic” operate. This lighting extends to the doorways, the place it exhibits up in a cool radial sample. The automobile can be out there with a panoramic glass roof, however this isn’t fitted on the show unit.

Pricing could also be uncompetitive at first, however CADB does have plans for CKD native meeting to benefit from persevering with tax breaks. Nevertheless, the PEKEMA-owned firm continues to be within the preliminary levels of planning and has not chosen a accomplice for the manufacturing facility. Would you purchase the Vigo over a BYD Atto 2, Atto 3 or Proton eMas 7? Tell us within the feedback.

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