Aside from the Dongfeng 007, Central Auto Distributors (CADB) has also previewed the Dongfeng Vigo in Malaysia. Not to be confused with the seventh-generation Thai-market Toyota Hilux, this is an electric SUV that’s sized to compete with the BYD Atto 2.
However, given that it will be launched in the first quarter of next year – and thus miss out on tax incentives for CBU fully-imported EVs that expire on December 31 – the Vigo is expected to be priced closer to the what the Atto 3 and Proton eMas 7 cost currently. So, likely somewhere in the region of between RM110,000 and RM120,000, then.
No local specifications have been released just yet, but 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 limited to 150 km/h.
Two LFP battery sizes are offered in the Middle Kingdom – a 44.94 kWh pack with a claimed range of 401 km and a 51.87 kWh unit that is said to enable up to 471 km on a single charge. Keep in mind 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 price, but this is probably what it’ll be like for CBU EVs moving forward.
Charging using a DC fast charger from 30 to 80% takes 30 minutes with the smaller battery and 18 minutes with the larger one, the latter accepting up to 167 kW. Just like the 007, the Vigo will only support up to 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 at least included.
Measuring 4,306 mm long, 1,868 mm wide and 1,645 mm tall, the Vigo is four 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, however, is a whopping 95 mm longer than the Atto 2 and barely five millimetres shorter than the Atto 3, which should benefit rear-seat legroom.
On the outside, the Vigo cuts a distinctive figure with a funky angular design that is said to be inspired by a Rubik’s cube, although we can spot a number of styling cues lifted from the Kia EV5. This is most apparent at 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 includes the indicators. The flush door handles look to be conventional mechanical door pulls (à la modern BMWs) but are actually 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 are available.
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 up to a commodious 500 litre boot, and unlike the 007’s one-piece rear bench, the pews on the back of this car are split 60:40. There’s also a dual-level boot floor and lots of storage underneath, and while the car you see here doesn’t have a front boot, we’ve been assured that customer units will have one.
Inside the Vigo sits a minimalist cabin with a multifunction centre console, housing plenty of storage spaces, a 50-watt Qi wireless charging tray and no less than 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 con, tilt-only (no telescopic) steering wheel adjustment and customisable ambient lighting with the typical Chinese-car “rhythmic” function. This lighting extends to the doors, where it shows up in a cool radial pattern. The car is also available with a panoramic glass roof, but this is not fitted on the display unit.
Pricing may be uncompetitive at first, but CADB does have plans for CKD local assembly to take advantage of continuing tax breaks. However, the PEKEMA-owned company is still in the preliminary stages of planning and has not selected a partner for the factory. Would you buy the Vigo over a BYD Atto 2, Atto 3 or Proton eMas 7? Let us know in the comments.
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