Dongfeng 008 Launched In The UAE: 6-Seat REEV SUV With 200km Electric Range At AED 139,900

Dongfeng UAE & MAHY Khoory Automotive have launched the Dongfeng 008 in the UAE. It’s a three-row, six-seat family SUV that runs on electricity and carries a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine whose only job is to recharge the battery. Dongfeng claims 200km on electric power and up to 1,220km combined, from a 272hp rear motor and a 34.32kWh battery. All this, at just AED 139,900.

The launch follows the opening of Dongfeng’s new flagship showroom at Oasis Mall on Sheikh Zayed Road, about two years after the brand opened its first UAE showroom. In China, the car is sold as the eπ 008 (Pronounced e pie 008), which made its debut in Beijing in April 2024.

Dongfeng 008 Price In The UAE

The Dongfeng 008 is available only in one top-spec trim, and it is priced at AED 139,900. With all the tech and features that it brings, this pricing makes the 008 one of the best value-for-money REEV SUVs in the market.

How The 008’s Range-Extender Works

The 008 is a range-extended electric vehicle, or REEV. The wheels are driven only by electricity, through a single 200kW (272hp), 340Nm motor at the rear. The 1.5-litre turbo engine works as an onboard generator, topping up the battery from a 51-litre fuel tank when the charge runs low.

The headline claimed consumption figure of 0.79L/100km or 126.58km/l combined leans heavily on the battery.

Once the battery is depleted and the engine is doing all the work, Dongfeng quotes 5.7L/100km or 17.54km/l, and that’s the number to watch if you can’t charge at home. When you can plug in, the 400V system takes the battery from 30% to 80% on a DC charger in a claimed 15 minutes.

If you’re still wondering how an REEV is different from a PHEV, our guide to mild, strong, PHEV and EREV hybrids explains them, and our top 10 REEV cars in the UAE shows the other cars that use this powertrain.

How Far Can The Dongfeng 008 Go On Electricity?

Dongfeng quotes 200km on pure electric power and 1,220km combined, measured on China’s CLTC cycle like most Chinese cars sold here. In the real world, it might be just a little less in everyday driving, especially with the air-con working hard in summer.

Owners in China report about 160 to 190km of electric range in mild weather, dropping to 150 to 160km with the air-con running. On the highway, they say it manages around 60 to 70% of the claim. We haven’t driven the 008 through a UAE summer, but with the AC working hard most of the year, the lower figures are the sensible expectation. Here’s a quick read for you if you think batteries can be damaged in the heat: Can UAE summer heat damage your EV or hybrid battery?

Dongfeng 008 Specs And Dimensions

Dongfeng hasn’t published 0-100km/h or top speed figures for the UAE-spec model.

Inside: Six Seats, A Fridge And 19 Speakers

At 5,002mm long with a 3,025mm wheelbase, the 008 puts its size into the cabin. Seating is 2+2+2, with captain’s chairs in the second row, so you get a walkway to the back instead of a bench. With all six seats in use, the boot holds 292 litres, which is tight for a family SUV. Fold the third row, and it grows to 783 litres.

A 15.6-inch touchscreen runs the cabin, and there’s a 19-speaker sound system. The party piece is a fridge that doubles as a warmer, adjustable from 5 to 50°C. In a UAE summer, the 5°C end will do most of the work. Exterior colours are Inkstone Black, Ceramic White, Emerald Green, Shining Silver and Sky Gray, and the cabin comes in Black or Caramel Tan.

Safety & Driver Assistance

The 008 carries a five-star rating from C-NCAP, China’s crash-test programme, and has six airbags. Level 2 driver assistance is included, along with a 540-degree camera system with a transparent-chassis view that shows what’s beneath the front of the car, which is handy on tight car park ramps.

Dongfeng 008 vs iCaur V27 vs Deepal G318

The 008’s closest rivals are two Chinese SUVs in the same price bracket that also use a petrol engine to help the electric drive. The iCaur V27 starts at AED 134,999 for the rear-wheel-drive Classic. The AWD versions cost AED 156,999 and AED 164,999 and give you up to 449hp and 150km of electric range. The Deepal G318 starts at AED 129,900, has 424hp and AWD as standard, plus air suspension from the AED 139,900 High-Specs trim up. You can read more in our iCaur V27 launch story and Deepal G318 launch story.

Both are rugged, boxy off-roaders with more power and the option of four-wheel drive. The 008 takes a different approach, aimed at families. It has six seats with second-row captain’s chairs, while both rivals seat five, plus a long 3,025mm wheelbase and 200km of electric range, which is more than either rival. For more family options, see our top 10 7-seater SUVs in the UAE.

What Owners Say So Far

The 008 is already on the road in China. Owners there like the space, the six-seat layout, the low running costs, and how smoothly the range-extender cuts in. They report fuel-only consumption of about 5.8 to 8L/100km (roughly 17.2 to 12.5km/l) and frequent over-the-air software updates. Other observations include fairly high energy use and the engine starting under hard acceleration, even in EV mode.

The 008 is brand new to the UAE, so there’s no resale history yet, and we haven’t found an English-language road test.

Where To See The Dongfeng 008 In The UAE

The 008 is on display at Dongfeng’s two Dubai showrooms, the new flagship at Oasis Mall on Sheikh Zayed Road and Deira, and at its two Abu Dhabi showrooms on Airport Road and in Musaffah. You can also browse the full Dongfeng range on DubiCars.

Editor’s Take

On paper, the 008 gives you a lot of car for the money: six proper seats, a long wheelbase, electric running for most school runs and no range anxiety on the drive to Oman. It looks quite premium for the price too.

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