In April 2014, Dongfeng Motor Corporation officially presented to the public a prototype of the first in its history premium model (by "Chinese standards") - a flagship sedan called A9 (also known as Aeolus A9), which became the "fruit" of cooperation between the Chinese and the French concern PSA Peugeot Citroen. Two years later, the car made its official debut on the PRC market, and in August 2016 it will be shown in Russia on the catwalks of the Moscow Motor Show.
Outside, Dongfeng A9 is distinguished by laconic, strict and restrained body lines, which makes the Chinese sedan look not only attractive and modern, but also very presentable. From whatever angle you look, the car is good-looking and harmoniously knocked down - a solid front end with LED headlights and a large "shield" of the radiator grille, a monumental silhouette with quite dynamic outlines and a powerful rear end with wide lanterns and two trapezoidal exhaust pipes integrated into the bumper.
According to its dimensions, the Dongfeng A9 belongs to the E-class according to the European classification: the length of the three-box is 5066 mm, of which the clearance between the wheelsets fits in 2900 mm, and its width and height do not exceed 1858 mm and 1470 mm, respectively.
The salon of the flagship sedan successfully combines Chinese pretentiousness and French elegance - a stylish multifunctional steering wheel with a "sawed-off" rim from the bottom, a modern instrument cluster with two dials and a colored "window" of the trip computer and a front panel decorated in the style of "minimalism" with an analog clock in the upper part ... On the center console, the leading role is assigned to the 7-inch display of the multimedia center, which has incorporated the control of most of the functions, below which there is a CD-player slot and several auxiliary buttons.
The well-cut interior of Dongfeng A9 is finished mainly with high-quality materials - pleasant plastics, real leather (in expensive versions, Nappa leather), aluminum inserts and decorative elements "imitating a tree".
The decoration of the Chinese sedan meets the riders with ergonomic seats and solid interior space. Comfortable front seats have a well thought-out profile, a large set of electrical adjustments and other benefits of civilization, and the rear sofa, regardless of the version, “flaunts” a hospitable layout, an electric backrest tilt and a separate “climate” (in the “top-end” versions it also has a massage function, ventilation and heating ).
The luggage compartment of Dongfeng A9 surprises with its convenient shape and impressive dimensions - its useful volume in standard condition is 590 liters. A full-size spare wheel and a set of tools are "hidden" in the underground niche.
Specifications. For the flagship model "Dongfeng" there is no alternative gasoline engine available - under the hood of the car there is a four-cylinder unit with a volume of 1.8 liters, equipped with a 16-valve timing, a turbocharger and a direct fuel supply system, in the arsenal of which there are 204 horsepower and 280 Nm of torque.
The motor is mated with a 6-band automatic transmission with "sport" and "snow" modes of operation, directing the full flow of power to the wheels of the front axle.
Dongfeng A9 can accelerate from zero to the first "hundred" after 8.5 seconds, and its maximum capabilities exceed 210 km / h. In combined driving conditions, the four-door "eats" no more than 6.6 liters of fuel per 100 km of run.
At the heart of a large sedan from the Middle Kingdom is a front-wheel drive "bogie" Citroen C5 with abundant use of high-strength types of steel in the structure and fully independent suspensions - MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear (both there and there are used conventional springs and transverse stabilizers).
The car is equipped with a rack and pinion steering gear and an electric power amplifier with progressive characteristics. All wheels of the "Chinese" are equipped with disc brakes (ventilated in the front), complemented by modern electronic "assistants".
Options and prices. In its homeland, Dongfeng Aeolus A9 in 2016 is sold at a price of 179,700 to 229,700 yuan (~ 1.74-2.22 million rubles at the current exchange rate), and after the premiere at the Moscow Auto Show in August 2016, it can reach the Russian market.
The standard configuration of the three-volume has a set of airbags, 18-inch wheel rims, a zone air conditioning system, power accessories, high-quality "music", a multimedia system, ABS with EBD, ESP and a bunch of other useful functionality.
But the "maximally packed" performances are able to boast full LED optics, engine start with a button, all-round visibility system, Nappa leather trim, Infiniti audio system with 12 speakers, massage, heated and ventilated seats and other modern options inherent in premium community.
