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Balanced All-Around Performance — Test Drive the Dongfeng Aeolus SKY EV01
Jul 28,2025
Recently, Dongfeng officially kicked off a new phase in its transition to new energy for its self-owned passenger vehicles, shifting from a defensive to an offensive strategy. This included a major overhaul in management structure for its NEV (New Energy Vehicle) division, along with the official launch of the “Leap Forward Initiative” for Dongfeng passenger NEVs.
What breakthroughs has Dongfeng achieved in terms of new energy brands, platforms, vehicle models, and technical architecture? The latest development under Dongfeng Aeolus’s “E-Start Plan” is the SKY EV01, which recently entered nationwide media test drives. Focusing on the Mach-E electric platform’s battery, motor, and energy consumption, the author sets out to discover the answers behind this next-gen electric SUV.
As the first all-electric SUV built on the Mach-E platform, the SKY EV01 embraces the “Sky Aesthetics” design philosophy.
From the exterior, it features a closed-off front grille, slim LED headlights, flush door handles, full-width tail lights, and large low rolling-resistance tires—all signature elements of new energy vehicles. These not only highlight its EV identity but also help minimize energy consumption.
Its 0.618 golden body ratio and wide-body stance give the vehicle a sleek, aggressive posture, with a forward-leaning and low-slung silhouette that adds a sporty edge.
While the SKY EV01 is engineered for efficiency, it's equally focused on spaciousness. Designed as a wide-body five-seater, it boasts dimensions of 4670mm (length) × 1900mm (width) × 1613mm (height), with a class-leading 2775mm wheelbase. The 145mm ground clearance ensures it can confidently handle more complex road conditions.
Thanks to its generous size, rear-seat space is abundant—with ample headroom, legroom, and knee room. The rear seats fold in a 60/40 split, making it easy to relax or even fully recline.
When it comes to storage, the SKY EV01 offers over 15 compartments throughout the cabin. The trunk has a width of 1080mm, and with the second-row seats folded flat, it provides a loading depth of up to 1803mm—more than enough for luggage, gear, or even a comfortable rest inside the vehicle.
Inside the cabin, the SKY EV01 offers a well-rounded configuration. It features a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a 10.4-inch vertically oriented central touchscreen. The displays are clear and responsive, delivering all the essential functions expected in a modern electric SUV.
Let’s focus on how the SKY EV01 drives. The test vehicle was the version with a 445 km CLTC-rated range (a 520 km version is also available). At departure, the dashboard showed 115 km of remaining range. The route included urban roads, ring roads, and highways, covering about 35 km before reaching a charging station. The actual range deviation was only around 3 km, which is impressively accurate considering variables like temperature and air conditioning use.
This accuracy is largely due to SKY EV01 being equipped with the industry's first mass-produced square CTP module-free battery. Thanks to a 3% increase in energy density, the vehicle achieves a CLTC range that's 2–8% higher than mainstream competitors with the same battery capacity—translating to an actual driving range advantage of 24–44 km.
Upon arriving at the charging station, the SKY EV01 was immediately plugged in. In just 26 minutes, the battery level rose from 17% to 76%—a highly efficient charging performance.
But the SKY EV01 isn’t just quick to charge—it’s also highly energy-efficient. With an energy consumption of just 12.8 kWh per 100 km, it significantly reduces daily operating costs.
Catering to the growing popularity of outdoor lifestyles like camping, the vehicle also features V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) external power supply capability, allowing it to power appliances or even recharge other vehicles in emergencies.
Safety is also a strong point of the SKY EV01. It adopts a five-dimensional battery safety system that provides comprehensive protection from the cell level to the module, battery pack, and entire vehicle.
Highlights include:
- High-strength aluminum alloy frame with >300kN compression resistance
- IP67-rated water and dust resistance
- 20mm steel needle puncture resistance at the cell level
- Thermoelectric isolation structure
- Active eddy current spray cooling system
In extreme conditions, the BMS (Battery Management System) can cut off power within milliseconds. The cell temperature can drop by 80°C within one minute, effectively preventing fire or explosion.
As for the driving experience, the version I test-drove is equipped with a 120kW electric motor (a more powerful 160kW version is also available, with 0–100 km/h acceleration in just 6.9 seconds). During the test drive, the power delivery felt smooth and linear, without any abrupt surges. The responsive acceleration made overtaking traditional gasoline vehicles in the same class easy and confidence-inspiring.
In terms of handling, the steering wheel offers a well-balanced feel—neither too light nor too heavy—with precise directional control. The suspension is tuned for comfort, effectively absorbing minor road bumps. For a vehicle priced around RMB 120,000, the overall driving quality is impressive and exceeds expectations for its segment.
The new energy vehicle market has entered an era of fierce competition, where "EVs priced like gasoline cars" has become the norm. In this context, the Dongfeng Fengshen SKY EV01 takes it a step further by offering "EVs priced like hybrids." Already in widespread operation internationally, the SKY EV01 has earned high praise for its solid product capabilities.
As the flagship model of the Dongfeng Fengshen SKY series, the SKY EV01 delivers well-rounded performance and exceptional value for money. For consumers looking for a practical and affordable all-electric SUV, the SKY EV01 is definitely a model worth considering.
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