Dongfeng’s New Hybrid Claims Half of China on a Single Charge

The new Dongfeng Aeolus L8 PHEV may be the oddball of its class, but according to CATARC—the China Automotive Technology and Research Center—it can cover a staggering 2,245 kilometers on a single charge and tank of fuel. That is nearly twice the range of the BYD Tang DM or Li Auto L7, long the benchmarks in this segment.

At its core lies the Mach Electric Hybrid system, which pairs a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with an electric drive unit and a 30.3 kWh LFP battery. Together they deliver 355 horsepower. Buyers can choose between two electric-only variants, rated at 126 and 185 kilometers respectively, though CATARC’s tests pushed the figure to an impressive 248 kilometers of pure EV driving.

On paper, fuel consumption drops to just 2.4 liters per 100 kilometers, positioning the L8 among the world’s most efficient plug-in hybrids. Even better, the battery supports fast charging from 20 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes—short enough to top up during a coffee break and cover a typical day’s driving without compromise.

Dongfeng has also gone heavy on tech. Behind the wheel, the driver benefits from 28 ADAS systems, ranging from adaptive cruise control to traffic-sign recognition and automated parking. The cabin features digital displays, a ByteDance-developed voice assistant, six airbags, and even a smart digital rear-view mirror.

Analysts suggest that the breakthrough is not simply a bigger battery, but the seamless orchestration of combustion engine and electric motors. If real-world results land anywhere close to the official claims, the Aeolus L8 could mark a turning point—one that redefines what hybrids are capable of.