autoevolution
 

Dongfeng Number 1 Looks Like a Passat, Is Based on Peugeot-Citroen Platform

Ahead of the upcoming Auto Shanghai 2015 debut, Chinese automaker Dongfeng has shown its brand new flagship sedan model.
Dongfeng Number 1 4 photos
Photo: Dongfeng
Dongfeng Number 1Dongfeng Number 1Dongfeng Number 1
It's called the Dongfeng Number 1, and while the first photos are black and white, we still like it. The design was first shown on a preview concept during the 2014 Beijing Auto Show, and it remains true to that. All the lines are understated and straight, the headlights appear to be LED-powered, and the stance is that of a traditional Autobahn cruiser.

It looks like the cross between a 2015 Volkswagen Passat and the post facelift Audi A8. Sure, it appears familiar, but the Dongfeng is not a copycat like we've come to expect from car companies in this part of the world.

While the design is German, the platform is French. Dongfeng has a partnership with PSA Peugeot Citroen, and the Number 1 is constructed around the PF3 platform. Some of the best perceived French cars are based on it, including the Citroen C5 and most notably the Peugeot 508. From our understanding, most of the parts were sourced from the defunct C6 and the overall length is around 5 meters.

Two engines will also be sourced from PSA, the 1.6-liter turbo with 200 hp and a 2-liter naturally-aspirated inline-4 with slightly less. The deal between PSA and Dongfeng goes both ways, as the Chinese backed their French partners by buying a 14% stake a few years back.

By launching the #1, Dongfeng are showing real ambition. This flagship sedan is going to compete with the Toyota Crown, Audi A6L, and Hongqi H7. It's still one of the fastest growing markets in the world, but China is beginning to show signs of maturity.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories