Dfsk, because the Chinese car is more of an opportunity than a threat

With the debut of the Dfsk brand, the availability of low-cost, good-quality Chinese cars is growing, a possible response to the urgency (and cost) of the ecological transition of the car.

Dfsk, an acronym for Dongfeng Sokon Automobile.Despite the pronunciation difficulties, it is a brand that we will hear about in the future.After cases like DR or MG, this is the last example of a Chinese brand, in this case belonging to the Asian group Chongqing Sokon Industrial Group.We are talking about one of the top 500 companies in China, with a twenty-year history and an almost global presence (70 markets, factories in the United States and a research and development center in Silicon Valley).

Acting as an intermediary for Italy, the China Car Company, a company with operational headquarters in Lawn and registered office in Livorno, since last 2023 the only official importer and distributor in Italy of the Dfsk range, contact for the sales network, spare parts and assistance, to date around 100 sales and service points distributed throughout Italy.

Dfsk, for now the most virtuous model is the E5 Phev plug-in hybrid.Urban electricity by the end of the year

If you are skeptical and want to get a more precise idea about the company, take a look here.We are talking about a range of models mostly with petrol engines (but with variants a LPG developed in collaboration with Landi Renzo), large SUVs, with 5 or 7 seats, not exactly virtuous examples of sustainable mobility.The only exception, at least for now, is the Dfsk E5 Phev, the only plug-in hybrid on the price list, accessible, efficient, good quality and at almost low cost prices (the price list starts from 36,888 euros), as we will see shortly in our test.

And if you have in mind theelectric car, you will have to wait until the end of the year, when Dfsk will launch a compact model designed for the city with a very accessible price, which will however be burdened by the duties that the European Commission has just decided to confirm on imports of electric cars produced in China.We are talking about an amount of up to 35 percent, variable depending on the company to which it must be applied and which is added to the already existing duties of 10 percent.

What sense does it make to support the car transition on the one hand with bonuses and subsidies and, on the other, taxing Chinese models, among other things the most accessible from an economic point of view?Returning to Dfsk, if you have heard of another electric car from the brand, the Glory 500e, a medium-sized SUV (4.40 meters long) with a range of up to 405 kilometres, is no longer part of the offer decided by the new importer Dfsk.

Dfsk E5 Phev, electric range almost breaking a record

Last arrived in order of time, as anticipated, for now the offer of the Dfsk brand is largely dedicated endothermic and large models, at first an unattractive proposition.At least at the moment.Single model, the E5 Phev, a plug-in hybrid SUV that combines accessibility with low consumption and emissions. Important dimensions (4 meters and 76 meters long), 7 seats on three rows of seats, a compact engine 1.5 liter petrol, with a power of 75 kW (102 of the "old" horsepower) combined with a second electric motor of 130 kW (180 horsepower).

The hybrid system includes a 17.52 kWh lithium ion battery, for a declared electric range of 87 kilometers and over 1,000 kilometers of overall autonomy, more and better than many plug-in hybrid models already on the market.The picture closes electric charging, only with alternating current and up to a power of 6.6 kW, with About 4 hours for a "fill up" of energy, preferably from renewable sources.

Size, habitability and that unsustainable optional…

The E5 Phev is a large SUV, as we said.Despite the large external dimensions, there is also a habitability suitable for large families, with 7 seats of which 5 are comfortable and the remaining two are more suitable for people of small stature. Materials and finishes they are at the level of many European generalist brands, with connectivity, large displays, intuitive controls and the main driving assistance systems Adas.The touch screen is inevitable, here 10.25 inches, from which to manage the main connectivity functions with a certain simplicity.

We have found no trace of the origin of plastics, coatings or materials in general Dfsk's environmental commitments.The list of options mentions (again…) the interior in leather of animal origin, when today even generated materials are available from fruit waste, which represent valid alternatives to animal leather.

High comfort and European-like standards

For a plug-in hybrid, the over 80 kilometers of electric range place the E5 Phev among the hybrids with the greatest electric range, which can be used (unlike almost all models) up to the maximum speed, close to 170 kilometres. The gearbox is continuously variable automatic, perfect for reducing stress in traffic, traction is on the front wheels.The declared consumption speaks of 1.2 l/100 km (not far from reality, at least in urban contexts and with a driving style that takes advantage of braking regeneration), with emissions equal to 28 g/km.

Good performance, high efficiency and technology that complies with European standards

The only flaw is the external dimensions, which however also translate into a very spacious interior, suitable for large families, as anticipated.Furthermore, even if the E5 Phev is not an off-road vehicle, dirt roads and unpaved paths can however be tackled without problem, preferably taking advantage of the silence (and the absence of local emissions) offered byelectric autonomy which, let us remember, is among the best on the market, almost 90 kilometers.