The Dongfeng Forthing Friday EV (marketed as the Forthing Thunder in China) is the brand's first all-electric compact SUV developed from the ground up on the EMA-E modular architecture, serving as the spearhead for Dongfeng Forthing's new energy and global expansion strategies. As a global model, the Friday EV is priced between RM99,800 and RM229,900 in mainland China, while the right-hand-drive (RHD) version debuted in Hong Kong as the Forthing 05 Forthing Friday with an indicative "One-for-One Replacement" price starting from RM218,000, before rolling out across Southeast Asian markets including Malaysia and Thailand, as well as the Gulf region, under the FRIDAY nameplate.
Under the skin, the Friday EV integrates key powertrain technologies, pairing a 150 kW lightweight 3-in-1 electric motor from FinDreams Powertrain with Sunwoda's Armour Battery pack. It also incorporates Huawei's TMS2.0 heat pump thermal management system to mitigate cold-weather range degradation, delivering a technologically capable and globally oriented package tailored for modern EV buyers.
The Friday EV adopts a sleek, crossover-inspired design language. Up front, a closed-off grille featuring a honeycomb patterned panel clearly signals its pure electric identity. Sharp split-LED headlamps—characterised by slim upper daytime running lights and bold, prominent lower main beam clusters—anchor the vehicle's front-end styling. Along the flanks, athletic dual shoulder lines sculpt a muscular profile, accentuated by pronounced rear haunches. A vibrant orange lower body kit is optionally available, whilst dual-tone paint schemes and contrasting alloy wheels offer added personalisation for buyers. Round the back, full-width LED tail lights and a tapered roofline are complemented by a tailgate spoiler and a rear bumper diffuser, further underlining its sporty flair. Dimensionally, the Friday EV measures 4,600 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width, and 1,680 mm in height, with a 2,715 mm wheelbase, placing it squarely in standard compact SUV territory.
Inside, the cabin inherits the family design DNA of the Forthing T5 EVO, presenting a clean, minimalist layout with a tech-forward feel. The focal point of the dashboard is a floating dual-screen setup comprising an 8.8-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen. Circular turbine-style air-con vents draw inspiration from aircraft engines, while electroplated satin chrome accents on the vents, steering wheel, and door cards uplift overall cabin tactile quality.
Motive power for the Friday EV comes from a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor supplied by BYD subsidiary FinDreams Powertrain. The motor delivers a maximum output of 150 kW (approximately 201 PS) and 340 Nm of torque, achieving a peak efficiency of 98%. This powertrain enables brisk acceleration, completing the 0-100 km/h century sprint in 7.9 seconds en route to a top speed of 180 km/h.
Battery options, sourced from Sunwoda, include ternary lithium and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry packs depending on the variant, with capacities scaling up to 85.9 kWh. On the CLTC cycle, driving range is rated at 410 km, 430 km, and up to 630 km across different specifications. Built on the EMA-E dedicated EV platform, the vehicle supports DC fast charging from 30% to 80% state of charge in 45 minutes, while standard AC charging takes between 8 and 15 hours.
To counter EV driving range loss in cold weather, the Friday EV comes equipped with Huawei's TMS2.0 heat pump thermal management system. Operational in extreme conditions down to -18°C, the system effectively improves winter driving range by up to 16%.
The Friday EV is engineered on the all-new EMA-E modular platform. The chassis utilizes a front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent suspension layout—a standard setup in the compact SUV class that strikes a good balance between handling stability and ride comfort. Drive is sent exclusively to the front wheels (FWD). Braking hardware consists of ventilated front discs and solid rear discs, paired with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold. Standard-fit 235/55 R19 tyres offer a balanced compromise between road grip and aesthetics. The speed-sensitive Electric Power Steering (EPS) delivers light low-speed manoeuvrability and composed high-speed feedback.
Dominating the cockpit is the dual-screen layout combining an 8.8-inch digital meter panel and a 14.6-inch floating touchscreen powered by the Tencent HMI 2.0 operating system. It integrates apps such as WeChat, Tencent Maps, QQ Music, and Tencent Video, supporting cloud-based voice commands, continuous natural dialogue, and remote telematics via a smartphone app for pre-cooling, door locking, and window controls. The system also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. In terms of creature comforts, the cabin features power-adjustable leatherette front sports seats with driver-side ventilation and massage functions, a panoramic glass roof with an electric sunblind, and tri-zone automatic climate control with dedicated rear air-con vents. Standard convenience kit includes a wireless smartphone charging pad, Bluetooth connectivity, multiple front and rear USB ports, and a power tailgate.
Practicality-wise, the 2,715 mm wheelbase affords ample rear legroom, complemented by a flat rear floor pan. The boot offers 480 litres of luggage volume in standard configuration, expandable to 1,480 litres with the split-folding rear seatbacks folded down, accommodating bulky cargo for family road trips.
In terms of active safety and ADAS, the Friday EV is equipped with the Level 2+ Xinghai Pilot driver assistance suite, leveraging 19 onboard sensing modules to provide 12 semi-autonomous driving functions, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA). A 360-degree surround-view monitor, front and rear parking sensors, and intelligent speed limit assist are also included, offering comprehensive protection and ease of manoeuvring in daily driving.
Passive safety is anchored by a high-strength safety cage structure designed to efficiently absorb and dissipate collision energy. The Sunwoda Armour Battery pack boasts an IP68 dust and water ingress rating and incorporates 4D cell-to-chassis structural protection, having successfully passed over 90 stringent validation tests exceeding national standards—including vibration, mechanical shock, and crush resistance.
As a cornerstone model in Dongfeng Forthing's transition toward electrification and globalisation, the Friday EV carries significant strategic weight for the brand. From a product standpoint, its combination of proven third-party tier-one hardware and globalised engineering gives it a competitive price-to-performance proposition in the compact electric SUV arena, highlighted by a 7.9-second century sprint and an impressive CLTC range of up to 630 km. However, the wider brand's reliance on external technology supply, limited product differentiation, and retail network consolidation in its domestic market have posed challenges to overall sales momentum.
Owner feedback has generally praised the Friday EV for its balanced blend of real-world efficiency, generous cabin space, competitive pricing, and intuitive ADAS features. Nonetheless, some critics note that in terms of brand cachet and proprietary software depth, Forthing still has ground to make up against leading dedicated EV manufacturers. Overall, the Dongfeng Forthing Friday EV represents a crucial stepping stone in the brand's international roadmap, showing solid promise in right-hand-drive markets across Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, though long-term brand equity and market presence will require sustained development.
© 2024 Bitauto.com. All Rights Reserved.
Bitauto (www.yiche.com and www.bitauto.com) is one of the most visited automotive websites in China. We provide detailed info on Chinese car brands available in your area. Please note that the information provided on this website is based on publicly available data and is for reference only. It may not be fully updated or accurate at all times.
Help us improve our website
