Except for the Dongfeng 007, Central Auto Distributors (CADB) has also 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 BYD Atto 2.
Nonetheless, provided that it is going to be launched in the primary quarter of next 12 months – and thus miss out on tax incentives for CBU fully-imported EVs that expire on December 31 – the Vigo is anticipated to be priced closer to the what the Atto 3 and Proton eMas 7 cost currently. So, likely somewhere within the region of between RM110,000 and RM120,000, then.
No local specifications have been released just yet, however the Chinese-market Nammi 06 is powered by a single front 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. Top speed is proscribed to 150 km/h.
Two LFP battery sizes are offered within the Middle Kingdom – a 44.94 kWh pack with a claimed range of 401 km and a 51.87 kWh unit that is alleged to enable as much as 471 km on a single charge. Take into account that these figures are on China’s optimistic CLTC cycle; expect around 330 km and 380 km on the stricter WLTP cycle. Not exactly stellar for the worth, but this might be what it’ll be like for CBU EVs moving forward.
Charging using a DC fast charger from 30 to 80% takes half-hour with the smaller battery and 18 minutes with the larger one, the latter accepting as much as 167 kW. Identical to the 007, the Vigo will only support as much as 6.6 kW of AC charging, so a full charge takes 8.3 hours with the 44.94 kWh battery and nine hours with the 51.87 kWh unit. A 3.3 kWh vehicle-to-load (V2L) function is no less than included.
Measuring 4,306 mm long, 1,868 mm wide and 1,645 mm tall, the Vigo is 4 millimetres shorter, 38 mm wider and 30 mm lower than the Atto 2, making it around 149 mm shorter than the Atto 3. Its 2,715 mm wheelbase, nonetheless, is a whopping 95 mm longer than the Atto 2 and barely five millimetres shorter than the Atto 3, which should profit rear-seat legroom.
On the skin, the Vigo cuts a particular figure with a cool angular design that is alleged to be inspired by a Rubik’s cube, although we will spot a lot of styling cues lifted from the Kia EV5. That is most apparent on the front, which features inverted L-shaped projector LED headlights joined together by a transparent plastic bar, underlined by copious amounts of black plastic cladding and a silver skid plate.
Along the side, you’ll find chunky squared-off wheel arch extensions, a wraparound windscreen design and unique side mirrors with black lines running along the centre, sitting atop a sizeable base that features the indications. The flush door handles look to be conventional mechanical door pulls (à la modern BMWs) but are literally fixed items, with buttons underneath for activating the electronic releases. The Vigo rides on 17-inch alloy wheels with a full aero fairing, although more stylish 18-inch alloys can be found.
The rear end features triangular taillight structures and the Vigo’s party piece – a split-opening tailgate akin to a BMW X5 or a Range 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 back of this automotive are split 60:40. There’s also a dual-level boot floor and a lot of storage underneath, and while the automotive you see here doesn’t have a front boot, we’ve been assured that customer units may have one.
Contained in the Vigo sits a minimalist cabin with a multifunction centre console, housing loads of storage spaces, a 50-watt Qi wireless charging tray and a minimum of three pull-out cupholders. As per the 007, there’s an 8.8-inch instrument display and a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, the latter with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The front occupants sit on six-way power-adjustable seats with driver’s side memory and ventilation, upholstered in faux leather. There’s also single-zone auto air conditioning, tilt-only (no telescopic) steering wheel adjustment and customisable ambient lighting with the everyday Chinese-car “rhythmic” function. This lighting extends to the doors, where it shows up in a cool radial pattern. The automotive can be available with a panoramic glass roof, but this will not be fitted on the display unit.
Pricing could also be uncompetitive at first, but CADB does have plans for CKD local assembly to reap the benefits of continuing tax breaks. Nonetheless, the PEKEMA-owned company remains to be within the preliminary stages of planning and has not chosen a partner for the factory. Would you purchase the Vigo over a BYD Atto 2, Atto 3 or Proton eMas 7? Tell us within the comments.
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This Article First Appeared At paultan.org
