Dongfeng Forthing 9 HEV

Model Overview

The Dongfeng Forthing 9 HEV (also known as the Forthing U-Tour V9 PHEV) is a large plug-in hybrid MPV from Dongfeng Forthing (Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor). Positioned as a premium new energy MPV tailored for global families and corporate travel, it emphasizes "luxury, expansive space, long cruising range, and exceptional value for money." The vehicle made its global debut at the 2023 Munich Motor Show (IAA Mobility) and was officially launched in China in June 2024 under the "Xinghai V9" nameplate, marking a strategic milestone in the brand's full-scale transition towards the new energy passenger car market.

Dimension-wise, the 9 HEV measures 5,251 mm (or 5,230 mm) in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,810 mm in height, riding on a generous 3,018 mm wheelbase. It features a five-door, seven-seater (2+2+3) layout with a kerb weight of around 2,195 kg. Boot capacity stands at 593 litres in standard seven-seat mode, expanding up to 2,792 litres when the third-row seats are folded flat. It is fitted with a 60-litre fuel tank and runs on RON 92 petrol.

In terms of pricing, the official recommended retail price for the 9 HEV in the Chinese domestic market ranges between RM179,900 and RM279,900. The 2026 Xinghai V9 Yuexiang Series starts at an attractive pre-sale price of RM199,900, delivering unmatched price competitiveness in its segment. For international markets, the standard European specification is priced at approximately 49,990 Euros.

Design Language

The exterior styling of the 9 HEV blends oriental aesthetics with contemporary luxury cues. Up front, it sports a massive cascading vertical chrome grille underscored by a full-width LED light bar. The grille houses a unique 150-LED fringe-style lighting matrix, flanked by jewel-like auxiliary high-beam units that deliver high visual impact at night. Down the sides, the "Chuanhe Liying" flowing character line runs smoothly from the front fender all the way to the taillights, complemented by a floating roof design and chrome window garnishes for an elongated, dynamic stance. At the rear, it features a full-width LED taillight cluster comprising 340 LED diodes with distinctive split-end motifs. Dual powered sliding doors and second-row privacy glass come standard across the entire range, delivering both executive presence and everyday convenience.

Inside, the cabin takes inspiration from the dual-tone "Shanyunjian" black-and-brown theme, highlighted by a canoe-shaped centre console and flowing water-ripple dashboard trims. Taking centre stage is a triple-screen interactive digital cockpit comprising a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster, a 16.2-inch floating central touchscreen infotainment display, and a 12.3-inch front passenger entertainment screen. A three-spoke multi-function steering wheel and a minimalist electronic gear selector round off an uncluttered, modern, yet unmistakably plush interior ambiance.

Powertrain & Performance

Under the skin, the Dongfeng Forthing 9 HEV is powered by Dongfeng’s in-house developed Mach Super Hybrid DH-i plug-in hybrid system, which pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor in a front-wheel-drive (FWD) setup.

The 1.5T engine generates a maximum output of 113 kW (approx. 154 PS) and 230 Nm of torque, while the front electric motor delivers 150 kW (approx. 204 PS) and 310 Nm of peak torque. System combined output ranges from 228 kW (approx. 310 PS) to 265 kW (approx. 355 PS), with peak combined torque between 530 Nm and 540 Nm. While official 0-100 km/h acceleration figures are undisclosed, the instantaneous electric torque guarantees effortless low-speed take-offs and punchy mid-range overtakes in daily driving. Top speed is rated at 180 km/h.

Energy is stored in a 34.9 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack (earlier batches were equipped with ternary lithium units). It yields a CLTC pure electric range of 200 km and an overall combined cruising range of up to 1,300 km on a full tank and full charge. Under the WLTC cycle, combined fuel consumption is rated as low as 1.2 L/100 km, returning a frugal 5.27 L/100 km even in battery-depleted hybrid mode. Charging-wise, it supports both DC fast charging and AC charging; DC fast charging from 30% to 80% takes only around 18 minutes on the 2026 model, while AC charging takes about 6 hours (a 50% reduction compared to earlier iterations). Furthermore, the 9 HEV comes equipped with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) reverse power supply capability, upgraded from 3.3 kW to 6 kW on the 2026 model to easily power outdoor appliances like electric BBQ grills and camp lighting.

Chassis & Handling

The Dongfeng Forthing 9 HEV is built on the marque's dedicated new energy vehicle architecture, utilizing a fully independent four-wheel suspension setup comprising front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent setup. This configuration represents the class benchmark: the compact front MacPherson layout optimizes engine compartment packaging and effortlessly absorbs road irregularities, while the multi-link rear suspension delivers confident wheel tracking and lateral composure through corners.

Steering is handled by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system tuned for effortless manoeuvring at parking speeds and weighted stability at highway velocities. The braking package consists of ventilated front discs and solid rear discs, paired standard with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) and Auto Brake Hold function. The MPV rides on 225/55 R18 tyres, with 19-inch flame-inspired alloy wheels offered on range-topping variants. Drivers can tailor dynamics via multiple drive modes including Eco, Standard, and Sport. Additionally, the 2026 Yuexiang Series receives a 360-degree surround-view camera and Adaptive High Beam Assist (AHB) as standard equipment, further boosting active safety when threading narrow alleys or driving in the dark.

Cabin Comfort & Tech

Onboard smart tech is a core selling point of the Dongfeng Forthing 9 HEV. The infotainment architecture is driven by the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 automotive chip, ensuring fluid screen animations and seamless multi-app performance. Running the Tencent TAI 4.0 intelligent operating system, it supports sophisticated voice commands across navigation, multimedia, climate control, and power windows, backed by rapid wake-up response and contextual conversational capability. The system also features connected car services, OTA software updates, mobile app remote functions, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, alongside Bluetooth, USB, and wireless smartphone screen mirroring.

In terms of seating comfort, the second row is fitted with individual executive captain seats complete with heating, ventilation, and massage functions, alongside power-adjustable backrests and ottoman leg rests. The second-row seats feature an ultra-long 1,020 mm sliding track and lateral sliding adjustment, leaving a 200 mm central walkthrough aisle for effortless third-row ingress and egress. The cabin ambiance is further elevated by 64-colour dynamic ambient lighting that syncs with audio playback. Acoustic laminated glass is standard across all four doors, significantly insulating the cabin from exterior wind and road noise. Other highlights include a premium multi-speaker audio system, front wireless charging pad, multiple USB/Type-C ports, and a three-zone automatic climate control system with dedicated vents for all three rows.

Safety & Driver Assistance

Safety-wise, the Dongfeng Forthing 9 HEV utilizes a high-strength cage body shell reinforced with ultra-high-strength steel across structural load paths, effectively safeguarding passenger cabin integrity under severe impacts. On the passive safety front, the 9 HEV comes equipped with 7 airbags (including dual front airbags, front side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags spanning front to rear), which work in tandem with three-point pre-tensioner seatbelts for all occupants.

For active safety and semi-autonomous driving, the 9 HEV features a comprehensive suite of Level 2+ Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Key highlights include Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Door Open Warning (DOW). Environmental perception is managed by a suite of millimetre-wave radars and high-definition cameras delivering 360-degree awareness. In addition, the MPV is equipped with a 360-degree camera, transparent underbody display (on selected variants), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Notably, the Xinghai V9 scored a full five-star safety rating in the stringent 2023 C-NCAP crash safety test.

Market Performance & Media Verdict

The Dongfeng Forthing 9 HEV (Xinghai V9 / U-Tour V9 PHEV) has emerged as a formidable "dark horse" within the Chinese MPV segment, capturing strong initial traction across both domestic and export markets.

In the Chinese domestic market, the Xinghai V9 disrupted the mid-to-large PHEV MPV segment with an aggressive entry price of RM179,900, attracting strong interest from both large families and executive fleets during pre-sales. The 2026 Xinghai V9 Yuexiang Series has further sharpened its value proposition with upgraded charging performance and kit, starting at RM199,900 to firmly cement its reputation as an ultra-value "large PHEV MPV under the RM200,000 mark".

In overseas markets, the Dongfeng Forthing 9 HEV spearheads the brand's global expansion roadmap. Following its global debut as the "U-Tour V9" at the 2023 Munich Motor Show, it serves as the spearhead model for the marque's European offensive. Its global market availability and pricing structure are summarized below:

As outlined above, the model is slated for an upcoming launch in Russia, while the UAE market saw the Forthing V9 PHEV showcase its capabilities at the 2025 WETEX green energy expo in Dubai. Between January and July 2024, Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor exported over 4,800 passenger vehicles to Europe alone, marking a massive 421% year-on-year surge. At the 2025 Munich Motor Show, Dongfeng Forthing presented four electrified models spearheaded by the Xinghai V9, further reinforcing its global footprint.

Industry commentators and early owners have lauded the Dongfeng Forthing 9 HEV for its class-transcending qualities, particularly its 1,300 km overall range, 5.2-metre body length, versatile 7-seater layout, Snapdragon 8155-powered smart cabin, and luxurious second-row captain seats. Automotive media often dub it as a "compelling PHEV Alphard alternative for under RM200k, complete with first-class captain chairs and 1,300 km endurance." On the flip side, mild criticisms point towards brand equity and minor interior trim fit-and-finish, noting that challenging venerable segment veterans like the Buick GL8 in the corporate executive arena will require sustained brand cultivation over time.

In summary, the Dongfeng Forthing 9 HEV (Xinghai V9 / U-Tour V9 PHEV) stands as a pivotal milestone in the brand’s all-in push toward vehicle electrification. Armed with headline capabilities such as the Mach Super Hybrid powertrain, an expansive 3,018 mm wheelbase, 200 km EV-only range, and 1,300 km combined endurance, its competitive RM179,900 starting price significantly democratizes the large plug-in hybrid MPV category. Concurrently, its coordinated launch across strategic overseas markets including Europe and the Middle East underscores Dongfeng Forthing’s ambition and capability in evolving from a domestic manufacturer into an established global brand.