Dongfeng Aeolus L7 PHEV: no range anxiety with 2,200 real kilometers

Dongfeng has launched a new, affordable plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV in its home market of China: the Aeolus L7. It is available for less than €11,500 and features an official total driving range of up to 1,500 km, but the Chinese manufacturer has smashed the on-paper performance by achieving over 2,200 km in a real-world range test.

The Dongfeng Aeolus L7 seems related to the Hedmos Fukang 06, the first model of Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën’s new sub-brand. It features a very similar design, with near-identical dimensions of 4,670/1,900/1,625 mm. However, the main difference is that the Aeolus L7 is available with both a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric drive.

Up to 1,500 km in theory…

The PHEV version is making the headlines thanks to its impressive range figure. Two battery options are available: 17 or 30.3 kWh. Both are self-developed ‘Mach’ battery packs from Dongfeng, with an all-electric CLTC range of 110 or 205 km, respectively.

Together with the 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, with a high thermal efficiency of 45.18%, the total range is 1,400 or 1,500 km, depending on the battery pack. Total system power is 265 kW (360 hp) and 615 Nm, while fast charging the battery takes 26 minutes from 30 to 80%.

… and 2,200 km in practice

While those range figures are impressive on paper, Dongfeng has put its money where its mouth is by conducting a real-world test with the Aeolus L7 on the island of Hainan.

The plug-in hybrid SUV managed to do three full loops of the island, achieving a total range of 2,239.6 km on a full tank and fully charged battery, nearly 50% more than the theoretical range figures.

The Dongfeng Aeolus L7 EV offers the choice between two motors and three batteries: 120 kW (163 hp) or 160 kW (218 hp); and either 50.8 kWh, 61.2 kWh or 62.3 kWh. The total driving range for the fully electric model varies from 430 to 518 km CLTC.

From €11,400

This performance is available to Chinese customers for an attractive price: 94,900 to 139,900 yuan, or €11,400 to €16,900, depending on the trim (eight options are available).

For the price, customers also get a 14.6-inch central display running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chipset, an AI voice assistant, remote control via a smartphone app, and, for the top trims, a panoramic sunroof, 50W wireless charging, and level 2 driving assistance.