Dongfeng has released a new budget electric SUV based on Renault City K-ZE and Dacia spring brothers and sisters. The Dongfeng Nano Box is already available for order in China starting at ¥65,700 ($9,748).
Dongfeng is no stranger to the Renault Kwid / City K-ZE, having produced the French SUV in China along with several variants under the marque, including the Aeolus EX1, Fengxing T1, Fengguang E1 and Venucia e30. The Dongfeng Nano Box is the latest addition to the family, bringing a modern exterior design and an all-new interior.
Read also: Prices for the Dacia Spring EV in Germany start at €10,920 after incentives
Starting with the exterior, the Dongfeng Nano Box shares many common body panels with Renault Kwid / City K-ZE, including doors, greenhouse and wings. A new front bumper with subtle Renault LEDs integrated into the closed grille and additional lighting devices located below. Dongfeng offers four exterior shades paired with white or gold accents. The Nano Box measures 3,723 mm (146.6 in) long, 1,579 mm (62.2 in) wide and 1,515 mm (59.6 in) tall. As expected, these figures are very close to similar models, while the wheelbase is identical at 2,423 mm (95.4 in).
The dashboard has nothing in common with its siblings, Dongfeng designers have done a great job of hiding the budget nature of the small SUV. The dashboard features a new freestanding 7-inch digital instrument cluster and 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the center console is also redesigned with a rotary dial, multiple buttons and climate controls. Equipment includes ABS, EBD, rear parking sensors, air conditioning, voice control and remote functions via a smartphone app.
Dongfeng Nano Box is equipped with one 44 hp electric motor. (33 kW / 45 hp) and 125 Nm (92 lb-ft) of torque. Power is transmitted to the front axle. The 27.2 kWh battery is sufficient for a range of 331 km (206 miles) measured according to CLTC protocols. For good measure, the closely related to Dacia Spring has an advertised range of 225 km (140 miles) in the WLTP combined cycle. According to Dongfeng, the battery can be charged from 30% to 80% in 30 minutes, and a full charge takes 4 hours.
The model is offered by Dongfeng EV, a new sub-brand of the Chinese automaker that plans to offer a full range of electric SUVs and sedans in the next five years. Depending on the variant, the Nano Box costs between ¥65,700 ($9,748) and ¥71,700 ($10,637) with a 2-month waiting list. According to Dongfeng EV’s social media profiles, they received over 10,000 orders for the Nano Box in the first 24 hours.
H/T to China’s automotive news and Autohome
https://www.carscoops.com/2022/07/dongfeng-ev-nano-box-is-a-10k-chinese-sibling-of-the-renault-city-k-ze/
