The Dongfeng northern drive
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From left: the Dongfeng Aeolus Huge Hybrid, the Nanobox EV, and the Forthing Friday EV.Just when we thought 2023 was closed for industry activities, we had one more trip, a quick jaunt to Ilocos Sur, with Legado Motors Inc. (LMI). They had just recently launched the Dongfeng brand of electric passenger vehicles. They currently carry the following models: the Dongfeng Nanobox EV hatchback, the Dongfeng Forthing Friday EV crossover SUV, and the Dongfeng Aeolus Huge Hybrid SUV.
Our friends from LMI were kind enough to drive us there overnight on a luxury bus, and when we arrived, their Dongfeng lineup would be waiting for us. The electric cars were also brought to Ilocos on a car carrier. This allowed them to remain fully-charged for our use. This would be a completely earth-friendly road trip around Ilocos Sur in electric vehicles and their lone hybrid.
Nanobox EV
The Dongfeng Nanobox EVI chose to start with the Nanobox EV hatchback as this would probably be a vehicle first-time car and EV buyers would consider.
So what’s under the hood? Definitely not an engine. What it does have is a 44-hp electric motor which puts out 125-Nm of torque and drives the front wheels. This is powered by a 28.5kWh battery. The Nanobox has a top speed of 100 km/h and has a range of 351-kms, priced at P888,000. It comes in cute colors and the one I got to drive was pink. This tito in me doesn’t mind at all. This sole variant, rolls on 14-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 165/70’s.
Spacious back seats of the Nanobox EVI loaded my luggage into the trunk and got into the driver’s seat. The interior is a mix of blue, green, and white hues. It’s a tad bright for my taste but you get used to it after a while as it’s meant to appeal to a younger market. The seats were comfy. In front of you is a seven-inch LCD digital instrument cluster, and next to that is the 100-inch touchscreen infotainment display.
Interior of the Nanobox EVYou’re probably used to a gearshift lever in most vehicles to shift to drive. The Nanobox has a rotary shift knob where you turn it from N (neutral) to D (drive) or R (reverse). This EV doesn’t have park as it doesn't have a gearbox. It also has a proper hand brake which I prefer. It didn't take long for me to get my bearings. I put the car in Eco mode to make sure the car was as frugal with the power delivery as possible. With a 351-km range and not much traffic, I was sure most of the battery power would be consumed on the go.
Safari-friendly
From left: the Dongfeng Forthing Friday EV, the Aeolus Huge Hybrid, and the Nanobox EV.Our first destination was the Safari Hotel and Villas, a quick 10-minute drive. This was a sanctuary for vacation goers and wild animals, some of which roam freely that guests can get close to. The EVs are zero-emission so they posed no hazard to the environment and the wildlife which roamed the facility. It was not even 10 a.m. yet and the sun was out in full force, heating up Ilocos. The air conditioning of the Nanobox took care of keeping us cool.
We went to lunch at Pinakbet Farm, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur, featuring vegetables in the Ilocano dishes grown on the property. After lunch, we went on to Vigan Safari Gallery which was back at the expansive property of the Safari Hotel, and this put the cute Nanobox to the test.
Up to the challenge
The Nanobox EV and the Forthing Friday EV.It took on rough dirt roads and some uphill portions that even gas powered cars of the same size would struggle to climb. One of the main advantages of an EV is that all its torque is delivered from a dead stop to full speed, and it really is just a matter of accelerator control to stop the wheels from slipping and maintaining traction. It got even hotter after lunch and the small car’s air conditioning continued to win the battle against the heat outside, with little effect on battery consumption.
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Our second day offered a chance to stretch the legs of our EVs. We headed to Banaoang Bridge, about a 15-minute drive away. Here, we got to experience higher speeds and also experienced how regenerative braking is beneficial.
Regenerative braking recovers some energy from braking and (to a lesser extent) coasting. Knowing when to lift off the accelerator helps extend your state of charge, and can top up your charge in small percentage increments. In a way, it recharges the car as you’re driving, helping extend the range even more.
A sustainable road trip
From left: the Forthing Friday EV, the Aeolus Huge Hybrid, and the Nanobox EV.The Nanobox was a lot fun to drive, feeling very different from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) hatchbacks. It has immediately available torque for a fun, spirited drive on some long stretches with over taking made so much easier with the power available on tap.
Going on a roadtrip in an EV does need a certain amount of planning to be able to get the same amount of enjoyment and distance on the road as you would in an ICE-powered vehicle. You’d need to know where the EV charging stations are and whether they’re AC or the fast DC chargers. While there are already charging stations in some provinces outside of Manila, more infrastructure needs to be set up to be able to serve the inevitable growing adoption of EVs.
Nonetheless, this trip was all about being eco-friendly and sustainable. It shows that mobility need not be harmful to the environment. Vigan is steeped in history being one of the few places where you can still ride a horse drawn carriage. Dongfeng brought the future of mobility here and doesn’t look out of place either.
Welcome, dear reader, to the bustling streets where the Dongfeng Nano Box flourishes as a beacon of electrified innovation. This nimble electric SUV has swaggered onto the urban scene, promising to transform the daily grind into a smooth, emission-free joyride. Crafted in the heart of China, this wheeled wonder sparks an electric allure with a wallet-friendly price tag starting at a mere $9,740. But don't let its affordability fool you; the Nano Box is a feat of engineering designed for the astute city navigator.
Under the hood, or rather where one would imagine a hood might be, this electric marque hosts a single 44 horsepower motor. It's like David against the Goliath of urban congestion, offering a torque of 125 Nm, enough to make its way through the bustling city with grace. Charged to the brim, it harbors energy within a 27.2 kWh battery, boasting a range of 331 kilometers to whisk you away on countless urban adventures without a hint of range anxiety.
Measuring a succinct 3,723 mm in length and 1,579 mm in width, the Nano Box carves its niche within the tight-knit fabric of urban landscapes. A wheelbase of 2,423 mm underpins its stable yet sprightly character, ensuring that tight parking spots and narrow streets become less of an ordeal and more of a breeze.
Step inside the Nano Box, and you're greeted with a bastion of comfort and connectivity. Bereft of any external design mimicry, the interior presents itself as a unique haven. A duo of screens, one digital instrument panel of 7.0 inches and a multimedia touchscreen spanning 10 inches, ensure that you're always just a tap away from the essentials. Climate control is a tactile joy here, with twirlers and buttons that respond with satisfying clicks, ensuring the cabin remains an oasis regardless of what the world outside holds.
With a palette of four body shades accented by either pristine white or opulent gold, the Nano Box paints the town with its distinctive hues. Its minimalist design ethos echoes the refined taste of those who wish to traverse the urban jungle with a splash of elegance.
In summation, the Dongfeng Nano Box stands as a paragon of how electric urban mobility should be: uncomplicated, accessible, and unmistakably stylish. It reiterates Dongfeng's ethos of crafting vehicles that resonate with the eco-conscious without demanding sacrifices on performance, comfort, or aesthetics. For the urbanite yearning to glide through cityscapes ensconced in electric serenity, the Nano Box opens its doors, inviting them to a future where efficiency and affordability dance in harmony.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Dongfeng Nano Box Supplier. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.