Buyers seeking a new Cat A electric vehicle now have the Dongfeng Box, which is currently priced at $148,888 with COE, to consider.
Officially retailed by newcomer Volt Auto, the Box is a five-door hatchback underpinned by Dongfeng's Quantum Architecture Platform 3. It measures 4,030mm from tip to tip, but has a wheelbase length of 2,660mm. This bodes well for interior space, especially given the car's compact size.
Initially, the Dongfeng Box is available in five colour combinations: Aurora Purple, Aurora Purple with White Contrast Roof, Twighlight White, Icy Blue, and Icy Blue with White Contrast Roof.
Customers have a choice of three interiors, too. These are Grey and Black, White and Black, and Purple and White. However, the latter is exclusive to the Aurora Purple body colour.
Inside, customers can expect an interior that feels relatively upmarket, with soft upholstery, and quilted trimmings on the dashboard and door panels. The driver's seated is ventilated, and there are thoughtful touches such as a drawer-style compartment for the front passenger, a 'floating' centre console, and large vanity mirrors.
Ambient lighting is standard, while infotainment is provided by a 12.8-inch high-resolution Central Infotainment Display, with Smart Phone Mirror Link. A five-inch Interactive Driver Display serves as the instrument panel. Passengers can stow their belongings in the 326-litre boot, which expands to 945 litres when the rear backrests are folded.
The car also features a full suite of advanced safety features that include Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Road Traffic Sign Recognition.
In terms of performance, the Dongfeng Box's electric motor provides 94bhp and 160Nm of torque. The motor is powered by a 42.3kWh lithium-ion battery, which can supposedly provide a driving range of 430km. With a 60kW DC charger, the battery can be charged from 20% to 80% in 30 minutes.
A Volt Auto spokesperson said the Box will be its sole Dongfeng offering in 2024, but that more models will eventually follow. Watch this space.
| Car Model | Price at press time (including COE) |
| Dongfeng Box | $148,888 |
