Dongfeng launching a new REEV in South Africa with prices from R559,000

[mylesillidge]

South Africa's most affordable range-extended electric car — 180km without petrol and over 1,000km with a full tank and battery

Chinese carmaker Dongfeng is launching its first range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) in South Africa, with retail pricing set to start from around R559,000.

Dongfeng Boksburg announced the first shipments of the Forthing Friday REEV were officially en route to South Africa on 2 July 2026.

 

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

What an idiotic name for a car "Forthing Friday"... sounds like an elegant name for a Friday Thread(TM)

 

[ThinkCentre]

The battery supports 6.6kW AC charging, which should take it from empty to full in about five and a half hours and 80kW DC charging for a 30-minute refill from 30% to 80%.

How long would your trip take if you are driving from Cape Town to Pretoria?

 

[wingnut771]

How long would your trip take if you are driving from Cape Town to Pretoria?

The same as a petrol car:

The vehicle also packs a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol generator, which tops up the battery at a low state of charge. This ensures the Friday REEV always drives like an electric car.

 

[wingnut771]

Does it warm up the engine first before it starts charging the battery?

 

[MrGray]

I refuse to drive any car with the name "Dong" in it. It's not dignified.

 

[Jan van Riebeeckstad]

Does it warm up the engine first before it starts charging the battery?

Does it matter? Will you buy one?

 

[Sopbeen]

I refuse to drive any car with the name "Dong" in it. It's not dignified.

Thats funny because @ShaunSA would love to have as many Dongs as possible.

I wouldn't mind a Dong. Looks alright and 1000km+ on a tank is fokken awesome.

 

[Jan van Riebeeckstad]

Thats funny because @ShaunSA would love to have as many Dongs as possible.

I wouldn't mind a Dong. Looks alright and 1000km+ on a tank is fokken awesome.

@ShaunSA loves the smell of Dong in the morning

 

[wingnut771]

Thats funny because @ShaunSA would love to have as many Dongs as possible.

I wouldn't mind a Dong. Looks alright and 1000km+ on a tank is fokken awesome.

Take that range with a bag of salt.

 

[Sopbeen]

Take that range with a bag of salt.

I'll take it with a bag of Dongs.

Besides using petrol seems silly for commuting if you can charge at home. Most likely means you'll get much more than 1000km per tank. I highly doubt the average bloke is doing roadtrips everyday/week.

 

[wingnut771]

I'll take it with a bag of Dongs.

Besides using petrol seems silly for commuting if you can charge at home. Most likely means you'll get much more than 1000km per tank. I highly doubt the average bloke is doing roadtrips everyday/week.

I wonder what the fuel consumption is when it’s charging the battery while travelling at 130kmh after the battery is flat after 100km.

 

[Jan van Riebeeckstad]

I wonder what the fuel consumption is when it’s charging the battery while travelling at 130kmh after the battery is flat after 100km.

Speed limit is 120.

 

[wingnut771]

Speed limit is 120.

There is a 10kmh grace. I have been driving 130kmh for 25 years with no issue.

 

[Sopbeen]

I wonder what the fuel consumption is when it’s charging the battery while travelling at 130kmh after the battery is flat after 100km.

Good question. Those motors are generally very efficient since they are tuned to run at a specific rpm. Would love to see some reviews.

Speed limit is 120.

Should probably send out a reminder to the okes in Cape Town. Some guys will try to drive you off the road for being a slacker at that speed.

 

[Bad Ballie]

I don't know, All I really see is a petrol car with an electric back up in case you run out of petrol, what am I missing?

 

[wingnut771]

I don't know, All I really see is a petrol car with an electric back up in case you run out of petrol, what am I missing?

The engine is a generator, it only charges the battery, its not connected to the wheels with a gearbox.

 

[Jan van Riebeeckstad]

Should probably send out a reminder to the okes in Cape Town. Some guys will try to drive you off the road for being a slacker at that speed.

Like @FiestaST ?

 

[ToxicBunny]

I don't know, All I really see is a petrol car with an electric back up in case you run out of petrol, what am I missing?

Wrong way around...

Its an electric car with a generator strapped under the bonnet for when the battery runs out.

 

[Zophos]

I don't know, All I really see is a petrol car with an electric back up in case you run out of petrol, what am I missing?

The electric motor is used to reduce fuel consumption as a hybrid while driving, but can be used on full EV mode.

Thus, not a backup for running out of petrol per se...but if you only have charge left without petrol, then sure....