Dongfeng A9

Overview

The Dongfeng A9 is a full-size executive sedan produced by Dongfeng Motor Corporation under the Dongfeng Passenger Vehicle sub-brand.[1] The Dongfeng A9 sedan was previewed by the Dongfeng Number 1 sedan concept during the 2014 Beijing Auto Show.[2]The production was done during the timeline 2016-2019.The assembly was done in Wuhan, China(Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroen)

History

The production version of the Dongfeng A9 debuted during the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show,[3] and was originally planned to be available to the market from April 2016.[4]

The A9 was postponed to be launched in July 2016 with prices ranging from 177,900 yuan to 219,700 yuan - making it by far the most expensive model, the Fengshen L60,started at just 89,700 yuan.[5]

Platform & Manufacturing

• Built on the PSA EMP2 platform

• The platform also underpins the China-only Citroën C6 and was planned for the DS9. All three are manufactured in the same factory by the Dongfeng-PSA joint venture.

• Dongfeng has access to this platform because they are one of PSA's largest shareholders.

• The A9 and Citroën C6 are essentially the same car in terms of body shape, engine, and dimensions — the C6 differentiates itself mainly through a more tech-focused interior with an all-digital instrument panel, and carries a higher price (starting around 200,000 yuan).

Powertrain

The Dongfeng A9 is powered by a 1.8 liter THP(Turbo High Pressure - Internal branding name for their turbocharged petrol engines) turbocharged engine with 200 horsepower and 280 nm of torque, connected to a six-speed automatic gearbox.[6]

Design (Exterior & Interior)

EXTERIOR DESIGN

INTERIOR DESIGN

• Automotive journalists noted German design influences throughout, describing the styling as having "a little Volkswagen here, some Audi there" - yet without looking like a disjointed mix of borrowed styling cues.
• The front end is described as massive and very wide, dominated by multiple horizontal lines and a large grille featuring six chrome bars with the Dongfeng logo in the center.
• At the rear, the tail lights are connected by a chrome strip bearing the "Aeolus" name, and a thick chrome rim runs around the side windows.
• The rear lights were noted as quite large — a deliberate stylistic choice that went against the trend toward smaller lights prevalent in 2016.
• While two exhaust tips are visible integrated into the rear bumper, only one is functional — a detail that drew some criticism given the car's executive sedan positioning.
• The "Aeolus" name is printed on the rear chrome strip, but the "Fengshen" name itself does not appear on the car's exterior — only the A9 badge is present.

• The interior was described by journalists who visited dealerships as "top notch" with impressive build quality.

• Nappa leather seats throughout, with extensive real wood trim on the dashboard and other surfaces (the wood was noted as genuinely looking and feeling good, not cheap imitation).

• Conventional analogue instrument dials with a small screen between them — no digital cluster (unlike the Citroën C6).

• A touchscreen infotainment system is present, though the actual touch area is only 8 inches and reviewers noted it looked somewhat bolted-on rather than neatly integrated into the center stack.

• The audio system includes 12 speakers and a CD player.

• An analogue clock featuring the "Aeolus" name is mounted on the dashboard.

• The gear lever is a traditional large unit, with the start button placed to its left.

• The rear cabin has generous legroom, a center armrest with cup holders, and a combined aircon/stereo control panel. There is no full rear-seat entertainment system.

Competition

Positioned to compete with the Hongqi H7, Roewe 950, and JAC Refine A60.

External links

• Dongfeng A9 Official Site