FORTHING FRIDAY I’M IN LOVE: Road tripping with Dongfeng
Dongfeng may not yet be a household name in the Philippines, but if this test drive proved anything, it’s that they’re gearing up for a serious push into the market.
The Forthing Friday takes a breather under the shade after a long drive, showcasing its futuristic design and electric prowess.
Photographs by ENRIQUE GARCIA for the Daily Tribune
There are test drives, and then there are TEST DRIVES — the kind that spans highways, beaches and unexpected bonding moments over car features that make you go, “This is cool!” The recent Dongfeng media drive from Pasig to Anvaya Cove in Bataan was exactly that, offering a deep dive into the brand’s growing lineup of electric and hybrid vehicles. I rode in the Aeolus Huge and Forthing U-Tour from Pasig to Bataan. I got behind the wheel of the Forthing Friday with my buddy Eli from Bataan to Makati. Here’s how it all went down.
Like any proper road trip, our journey began with a briefing. Between introductions, checklists and some lost-in-translation moments, the key takeaways were clear: stay safe, don’t break anything, and if you do, pretend you didn’t (kidding, of course). After some breakfast (because no Filipino trip starts without food), we were assigned vehicles. From Pasig to a gas station in Lakeshore, Mexico, Pampanga, I rode in the Aeolus Huge. Then, at Lakeshore, we switched vehicles, and I rode the Forthing U-Tour all the way to Anvaya Cove in Bataan. For the return trip, I finally got to drive the Forthing Friday with Eli back to Makati.
Dongfeng’s lineup takes center stage at Subic Bay’s airport hangar, showcasing a mix of EVs, hybrids and MPVs ready to hit the road.
I hopped into the Aeolus Huge — which, let’s be honest, has a name that sounds like it should come with a cape. This hybrid SUV lives up to its name, offering a spacious cabin, soft leather seats and a smooth ride that absorbs road imperfections impressively well. As a passenger, what stood out was the NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) control — or rather, the lack of noise. Conversations inside were relaxed, no need to yell over the usual highway drone. Plus, with plush seating and decent legroom, I could actually stretch out and pretend I was some kind of VIP.
The Forthing U-Tour. I’ll admit, MPVs aren’t usually my thing — they’re often seen as “family cars” (aka: what your Tito drives when he insists on carpooling). But this one has style. The dual 10.25-inch screens and adaptive cruise control made it feel more premium than expected. And on the road, it was smooth, stable, and well-insulated from outside noise. If you’re in the market for a stylish, tech-filled MPV, this might be worth a closer look.
