Dongfeng Forthing Friday

Inside, the Dongfeng Forthing Friday has a versatile cabin layout that showcases a balance of sportiness and elegance. Drivers have access to a high-tech 10.25-inch LCD instrument cluster and a leather steering wheel that has tilt and telescopic adjustment options. For a premium feel when shifting, this SUV comes with a crystal electronic shifter. All passengers can enjoy a 10.25-inch LCD infotainment display that has a WIFI function, Bluetooth system, and a Carbit link mobile phone interconnection. Its infotainment system is linked to a 6-speaker sound system. However, one downside with its infotainment system is its lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto–both of which are commonly offered in other modern EVs. 

Apart from these, its well-padded seats have high-quality leather upholstery. The driver’s seat in the higher variant has heating and cooling functions, while its passenger seat has heating only. Both front and second rows are spacious enough to accommodate five passengers. Rear visibility could still be improved since there is a tendency for the thick pillars to disrupt the driver’s view of the road. For better aesthetics, the higher variant has a lantern type panoramic sunroof.

From the outside, the Dongfeng Forthing Friday has a clean futuristic look that is distinct from other all-electric SUVs. At the front, it sports a smooth fascia as well as a bumper with a honeycomb-like pattern and an orange accent. It has premium-looking LED headlamps and DRLs, both of which give this car a nice flare at night. On the sides, it also has orange accents, giving this EV a sporty silhouette. And, to enhance its sideview, it comes with a set of 19-inch two-tone alloy rim wheels. 

Meanwhile, at the back, it has an LED scrolling tail lamp that is very common for EVs nowadays. The Dongfeng Forthing Friday measures 4,600 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width, and 1,680 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2,715 mm.

The Dongfeng Forthing Friday utilizes a suspension combination of a McPherson Strut with Stabilizer Bar at the front, while a Multilink Independent at the rear. The car is very easy and comfortable to drive because of its suspension setup. For an SUV, this surprisingly offers a ‘go-kart’ or ‘bump car’ driving experience. It also has decent absorption of road bumps. However, you are advised to use this car with precaution when passing through off-road terrain.

The Dongfeng Forthing Friday runs on a Permanent Magnetic Synchronous Motor that produces a maximum power output of 150 kW and a maximum torque of 340 Nm. The higher variant is powered by a Ternary Lithium battery that has a capacity of 85.9 kWh and a driving range (CLTC) of 630 kms. 

On the other hand, the lower variant is powered by a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery that has a capacity of 57.8 kWh and a driving range (CLTC) of 430 kms. Both variants have a direct current (DC) fast charging time of 30% to 80% in 45 minutes and an alternating current (AC) slow charging time of 0% to 100% in 8 to 12 hours.

On the road, this SUV has a responsive acceleration thanks to its well-tuned electric motor. Hence, you will have no problem overtaking or driving at high speeds when passing through highways. And, on top of this, it offers three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport, making this a feasible daily vehicle in the city. However, when you frequently perform longer trips, the 630 km variant is much more reliable and practical than its 430 kms counterpart. Overall, this line has an impressive NVH suppression, allowing you and your passengers to have a quiet and peaceful cruising experience. 

Both variants of the Dongfeng Forthing Friday are equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go features, lane departure warning, lane keeping and centering assists, single lane traffic jam and highway assists, as well as an intelligent high beam control. This SUV also comes with standard safety and security features. In terms of braking, it utilizes ventilated discs at the front and regular discs at the rear. Its setup has an electronic brake booster, which allows the driver to have responsive braking. 

The Dongfeng Forthing Friday would make a great contender within the Philippines’ eSUV segment if only it had more affordable price offerings. For its starting price of ₱1.980 million, you can already buy more affordable EVs with more seating capacity (e.g., BYD eMAX 7). But, its 630-km driving range (that you won’t find in other EVs)  is truly one of its greatest assets.