Recently, Dongfeng hosted a track day experience in collaboration with Soyacincau. As Dongfeng currently sells only EVs in Malaysia, it became one of the sponsors of Soyacincau’s event. At the same time, Dongfeng also invited members of the media to get behind the wheel of its newly launched Dongfeng Vigo SUV and Dongfeng 007 sports sedan.

The event was held at the Sepang International Circuit, with Soyacincau having rented the entire track for the occasion. Since this was a full EV track day, it suited Dongfeng perfectly as a brand. This is because Dongfeng currently focuses exclusively on electric vehicles in Malaysia, and the two models it wanted to showcase were the Dongfeng Vigo and the Dongfeng 007.

The Dongfeng Vigo is Dongfeng’s B-segment all-electric SUV. It competes against rivals such as the BYD Atto 2 and the MG ZS EV. It is a front-wheel-drive SUV powered by a 51.87 kWh battery pack, offering a WLTP-rated range of approximately 380km. The electric motor produces 161hp and 230Nm of torque, allowing the Vigo to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 9.5 seconds.

The other vehicle on display was the Dongfeng 007 fastback sedan. This model competes against more established rivals such as the Tesla Model 3 and the BYD Seal. One of the headline figures for the Dongfeng 007 is its ability to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds. This impressive performance comes from its dual-motor setup, which produces 544hp and 620Nm of torque.

As for the venue, the Sepang International Circuit is a familiar location to most Malaysians. The 5.54km circuit features 15 turns and two straights measuring approximately 1km each. Over the years, the track has hosted numerous international racing events, including Formula 1, MotoGP, and Super GT. Although Formula 1 stopped racing here in 2017, several major international racing series still continue to visit the circuit. This time around, Dongfeng chose to hold its track day alongside the Soyacincau EV Track Day at Malaysia’s premier racing venue.

The track day focused primarily on the two recently launched vehicles that Dongfeng is promoting. During the event, participants were given the opportunity to drive both cars around the circuit for three laps each. I started with the Vigo, and surprisingly, it left a much stronger impression on me than the 007.

For starters, the Vigo is not particularly fast compared to many EVs currently on the market. However, it has enough performance to comfortably reach triple-digit speeds. What impressed me most was the steering feel. The steering felt direct, with a good level of feedback. There was even a sense of communication from the front wheels that could be felt through the steering wheel, which made the driving experience more engaging than expected.

As for the 007, it felt more like a typical modern Chinese EV. The main highlight of the 007 is undoubtedly its straight-line performance. However, because the Sepang circuit is wide and open, the sensation of speed was somewhat diminished. The steering also provided less feedback than the Vigo, making acceleration its primary strength as a performance-oriented vehicle.

Since both cars are currently on display at KLIMS, those who are interested can drop by and take a closer look. They are certainly worth considering for buyers looking to embrace the EV lifestyle. As relatively new models in the market, they also stand out from many of the other electric vehicles currently on Malaysian roads.