Forthing, a fresh-faced Chinese challenger brand owned by Dongfeng Motor Group, hit Australian showrooms this month with its Taikon 5 SUV, which is offered in both fully electric and plug-in hybrid powertrain guises.
Known as ‘Friday’ in its domestic Chinese market, the medium-sized (4.6-metre long) Taikon 5 range enters with the Range Extender Hybrid Luxury, priced from $36,990 driveaway.
The Range Extender Hybrid format leans on electric drive more than a traditional plug-in hybrid, mating a 75kW/130Nm 1.5-litre engine-generator system to power its 120kW/240Nm motor attached to the front wheels via a 31kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery.
While initially touted to offer over 1000 kilometres of combined driving range, local importer Ateco has since downgraded the Taikon 5 ‘REEV’ to 937km of “combined petrol and electric power”, with a fully charged battery bringing an electron-only range of 170km (all figures WLTP).
The same entry trim grade is offered in fully electric powertrain guise, called the BEV Luxury, for a $2000 upcharge, or $38,990 driveaway.
The BEV version fits a single 150kW/340Nm front-driven motor, powered by a 64kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery, bringing a range claim of 427kms WLTP.
Despite the big-battery BEV version offering twice the charging capacity (80kW plus REEV’s 40kW), both versions have a DC charging claim of 30 minutes for the “30 to 80 percent” charge, or around 42 minutes for the 10-80-percent measure.
The Luxury specification includes the following features:
- 19-inch wheels
- Bi-LED headlights
- Adaptive cruise control
- 14.6-inch touchscreen media
- 8.8-inch driver’s display
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Faux leather trim
- 10-way electric driver’s seat
- Heated/ventilated driver’s seat
- Digital radio
- Six airbags
- Four-speaker audio
- Rear parking sensors
- 3.5kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability
- Tyre inflator kit
Both powertrain formats are also being offered in high-grade Exclusive trim at a $3500 upcharge, with the Range Extender Hybrid Exclusive priced from $40,490 on road and the BEV Exclusive from $42,490 driveaway.
Metallic paint adds $600 to all four versions.
The Exclusive specification adds the following features:
- Power tailgate
- Front parking sensors
- Rear privacy glass
- Power folding mirrors
- Wireless phone charging
- 360-degree camera system
- Panoramic glass roof
- Six-speaker audio
- Space saver spare and jack (BEV version only)
The debut Forthing lineup brings a seven-year vehicle warranty, though distance coverage is capped at 200,000 kms.
MY26 Forthing Taikon 5: prices in Australia
All prices listed are driveaway inclusive of on-road costs.
- Range Extender Hybrid Luxury: $36,990
- BEV Luxury: $38,990
- Range Extender Hybrid Exclusive: $40,490
- BEV Exclusive: $42,490