The Chinese corporation Dongfeng is experiencing difficulties: in the first half of this year, it was possible to sell 770 thousand passenger cars, and this is immediately 23% less than in the same period of 2022. The company’s managers see a way out of this situation in increasing their presence in the rapidly growing segment of electrified cars. According to the plan, already in 2025 Dongfeng will be able to sell more than 1 million electric cars and rechargable hybrids (21 new models are promised)! The new eπ sub-brand should help achieve such ambitious goals.
The first letter of the unusual abbreviation refers to the words electric, energy, explore and emotion (electricity, energy, research, feelings), and the mathematical constant π symbolizes “the exploration of limitless possibilities”. The new sub-brand will operate under the wing of the parent brand Dongfeng, and in the hierarchy of the entire concern will be located just below the well-known in Russia separate brand Voyah. The creators call eπ a premium youth brand, and this positioning corresponds to the debut model Dongfeng eπ 007.
The spy index hides a mid-size sedan, which the company calls a competitor to the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Han electric vehicles. And potentially another “secret agent” Zeekr 007 will fall into this cohort, whose debut will take place very soon. The length of the e-007 sedan is 4880 mm, width — 1895 mm, height — 1460 mm, and wheelbase — 2915 mm.
The design is typical for this segment: general streamlined shapes and sharpness only in details like predatory headlights, aggressive bumpers and fancy wheels. But such a proven formula had a good effect on the coefficient of aerodynamic drag: its value is only 0.209. The interior fully corresponds to the new-fangled trends and has an architecture with separate screens for cleaning and multimedia system.
The e-007 sedan is based on the Dongfeng Quantum Architecture platform. It is simpler than the Voyah models (for example, there is no air suspension), but it has an 800-volt electrical system, which will have a positive effect on energy efficiency (consumption of 11.9 kWh per 100 km is claimed) and the rate of battery recharge: charging from a DC terminal from 30 to 80 percent will take 26 minutes. There will also be a second-level autopilot “in the database”.
The electric car can be driven only on the rear axle with one engine (218 or 272 hp), and the all-wheel drive version has two of the most powerful motors (544 hp in total) and can accelerate to 100 km / h in about three seconds. In addition, a sequential hybrid is expected to appear, in which the internal combustion engine has no connection with the wheels and performs only the role of a generator. Such a sedan can have a power reserve of up to 1200 km.
Detailed specifications of all versions will be published closer to the start of sales. It is expected that pre-orders for Dongfeng e-007 sedans will be opened by the end of this year, and full sales will start in 2024. An e-crossover should appear next.