The publication of the first photos of the Evolute i-Sky electric crossover coincided with the entry into the home market of the original Chinese model, the Dongfeng Forthing Thunder.
Motorinvest and its Evolute electric car brand continue to expand their model range: by the end of the second quarter of this year, the i-Sky compact crossover will be prescribed at a plant in the Lipetsk region, last year the plant mastered the production of the i-Joy subcompact crossover and the i-Pro sedan, these and upcoming new items are of Chinese origin.
Evolute i-Sky 1/3 Evolute i-Sky 2/3 Evolute i-Sky 3/3
The overall length of the Evolute i-Sky is 4600 mm, the width is 1860 mm, the height is 1680 mm, the wheelbase is 2715 mm. Evolute positions the i-Sky as a mid-size crossover, although even by European standards it is rather compact, but Motorinvest’s calculation is clear: the Russian company wants to aim the Evolute i-Sky to fight the imported Skywell ET5, which can honestly be called mid-size (length — 4698 mm , wheelbase — 2800 mm).
The Evolute i-Sky is a badge-engineered Forthing Thunder (aka Leiting in romanized Chinese, the name translates to “thunder” in Russian) that went on sale in China today. Forthing (aka Fengxing) is, recall, one of the subsidiary brands of Dongfeng. The Forthing Thunder electric crossover, in turn, is a derivative of the Forthing T5 EVO gasoline crossover, which entered the Chinese market back in 2020.
Forthing Thunder 1/5 Forthing Thunder 2/5 Forthing Thunder 3/5 Forthing Thunder 4/5 Forthing Thunder 5/5The petrol and electric relatives have nearly identical interiors, but differ markedly in exterior design. The original EMA platform of the gasoline crossover has been converted to an electric EMA-E, the front suspension is McPherson type, the rear is independent multi-link, with a recess for the differential, although the battery crossover is offered only with front-wheel drive and a single electric motor on the front axle. The stock tire size is 235/55 R 19.
Forthing Thunder 1/2 Forthing Thunder 2/2
The electric motor for Forthing Thunder is supplied by BYD, its maximum output is 150 kW (204 hp) and 340 Nm, the crossover accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.9 s, the maximum speed is limited at around 180 km/h. The battery capacity is 57.8 or 85.9 kWh, the power reserve on a single charge according to the Chinese CTCT cycle is 430 and 630 km, respectively. For the Russian Evolute i-Sky, only the older 85.9 kWh battery has been announced so far and a range of 500 km has been announced according to the WLTP cycle that is more familiar to us. Curb weight — 1900 kg, gross weight — 2275 kg.
Forthing Thunder 1/5 Forthing Thunder 2/5 Forthing Thunder 3/5 Forthing Thunder 4/5 Forthing Thunder 5/5
The interior of the Forthing Thunder is designed in the spirit of sports cars — round air ducts, contrasting color inserts, carbon-look plastic. The instrument and multimedia screens (both 10.25-inch) are combined into a common display, the center console has a separate microclimate unit, but with touch keys. Perhaps the Russian-assembled crossover will have its own interior features. Trunk volume is not specified, but judging by the photos of Chinese colleagues, it is not very roomy. In rich trim levels, Forthing Thunder has more than a dozen electronic driver assistants, including adaptive cruise control. Forthing Thunder
In China, prices for Forthing Thunder start at 129,900 yuan or 1.45 million rubles at the current exchange rate. The prices and configurations of the Russian Evolute i-Sky have not yet been announced, but if we take the Skywell ET5 as a benchmark, then we can expect a minimum price of around 4 million rubles, coupled with good equipment.