Chinese automaker Dongfeng has launched an electric SUV that costs less than a base Suzuki Cultus. Known as “Nano Box”, it is an A-segment crossover SUV that features a pure electric powertrain.
The baby SUV is not the first all-electric offering from Dongfeng. Other EVs include Aeolus EX1, Dongfeng Fengxing T1, Dongfeng Fengguang E1, and Venucia e30. The company seeks to expand its EV production by launching 3 to 5 new EV models in the next five years.
The Nano-Box is a tiny crossover SUV with a round silhouette and contemporary styling. It has a ternary lithium battery with a 27.2kWh capacity that allows for a cruising range of up to 331 kilometers. It has a single electric motor that makes 44 horsepower (hp)and 125 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque, which it sends to the front wheels only.
Like other modern SUVs, the Nano Box has several modern amenities including:
In China, the SUV costs around Rs. 2.2 million, which makes it one of the cheapest EVs in the world, and an appealing proposition for the Pakistani market, if DFSK launches it here.