August 25, 2025 - Dongfeng AEOLUS officially announced that its all-new plug-in hybrid SUV, the AEOLUS L8 PHEV, will be officially launched at the 2025 Chengdu Auto Show, which opens on August 29th. Pre-sales are now open for the vehicle, with four models available, ranging in price from RMB 129,900 to RMB 149,900. As the flagship model of the Dongfeng AEOLUS brand, the L8 PHEV is equipped with a 1.5T plug-in hybrid powertrain and boasts a maximum pure electric range of 185 kilometers (CLTC), making it a strong competitor in the 150,000 RMB plug-in hybrid SUV market.
The Dongfeng AEOLUS L8 PHEV continues the brand's family design philosophy and is available in six paint options: Cloud White, Star Forging Blue, Smoky Willow Silver, Brilliant Night Gray, Moon Brocade Gray, and Ink Silk Black. The new car features a closed front fascia with split headlights. The upper LED cluster is equipped with pixelated light sources. The through-type daytime running lights, comprised of 168 individual LEDs, support dynamic welcome lighting effects and adaptive lighting, ensuring excellent nighttime visibility.
The sleek side profile and semi-hidden door handles balance aesthetics with practicality, achieving a low drag coefficient of 0.28Cd. The 19-inch starburst wheels (with 235/50 R19 tires) and fastback floating roof create a sporty stance. The rear features a double-peaked roof spoiler and rear window wipers. The through-type pixel taillights incorporate a "U"-shaped dot matrix light source with eight dynamic modes, forming a complete lighting system with the headlight strip.
Entering the vehicle, the Dongfeng AEOLUS L8 PHEV offers three interior color schemes: Danxia Reflecting Snow, Sunset in Autumn Forest, and Hidden Peaks at Night. Its wraparound design and wood-grain accents on the center console and door panels create a premium feel. The most striking feature is the combination of a 12.3-inch full LCD instrument panel and a 15.6-inch 2.5K floating central control screen. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, it runs the "Tianyuan Zhicang" intelligent cockpit system, supporting Deepseek and Doubao dual AI models for exceptionally smooth operation.
For intelligent interaction, the vehicle supports four-zone voice recognition and innovatively collaborates with Alipay to offer the "Alipay Car Assistant," enabling contactless payment. High-end models also feature comfort features such as headrest speakers, heated and ventilated front seats, and a driver's seat massage function. Notably, the new car features a hand-operated shift mechanism, with the original shift lever replaced by a 50W wireless phone charging panel and storage compartment, creating a more user-friendly design.
Despite being positioned as a compact SUV, the Dongfeng AEOLUS L8 PHEV measures 4762×1910×1677mm, with a wheelbase of 2825mm, exceeding even some mid-size SUVs. By comparison, its main competitors, the BYD Song PLUS DM-i, have a wheelbase of 2765mm, while the Volkswagen Tiguan L Pro has a wheelbase of 2791mm. The interior features a five-seat layout with ample rear legroom and ergonomically designed seats with a high-profile backrest, providing excellent support and support.
As for storage space, the regular trunk volume is 480L, and the rear seats can be folded down in a 4/6 split, further expanding the cargo area. The roof features a non-opening panoramic sunroof with a sunshade, ensuring both natural light and effective heat insulation.
The Dongfeng AEOLUS L8 PHEV is equipped with the brand's latest Mach Hybrid PHREV system, consisting of a 1.5T turbocharged engine (maximum power of 113kW) and an electric motor (maximum power of 100kW). The system generates a combined maximum power of 265kW (approximately 360 horsepower) and a combined maximum torque of 615N·m. The transmission is mated to a 4-speed DHT transmission. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time has not yet been announced, but is expected to be around 7 seconds.
Two battery capacity options are available:
Standard Edition: 18.1kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, CLTC pure electric range of 112km;
Long-Range Edition: 30.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, CLTC pure electric range of 185km.
Charging performance is a key highlight of the L8 PHEV. 3C fast charging technology is standard across the entire range, allowing a charge from 20% to 80% in just 18 minutes. The vehicle also supports a 6.6kW external discharge function, suitable for camping with high-power appliances such as induction cookers and projectors.
In terms of fuel economy, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the lowest state-of-charge fuel consumption under WLTC conditions is 5.29L/100km, and the equivalent fuel consumption is 1.93L/100km. With a 55L fuel tank, the combined range easily exceeds 1,300km, ensuring worry-free long-distance travel.
The Dongfeng AEOLUS L8 PHEV has a pre-sale price range of RMB 129,900-149,900, directly competing with popular plug-in hybrid SUVs such as the BYD Song PLUS DM-i and Haval Veneno MAX. Compared to its competitors, the L8 PHEV offers advantages in terms of size, all-electric range, and charging speed. For example, the BYD Song PLUS DM-i, with a 112km all-electric range, starts at RMB 145,800. The L8 PHEV offers a longer range at a more attractive price.
In terms of features, the L8 PHEV comes standard with the following:
15.6-inch central control screen + 12.3-inch LCD instrument panel;
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip;
Four-zone voice recognition;
3C fast charging;
Panoramic sunroof with sunshade;
High-end models also add:
Ventilated and heated front seats;
Driver's seat massage;
Headrest speakers;
Advanced driver assistance systems.
The Dongfeng AEOLUS L8 PHEV will officially launch at the Chengdu Auto Show on August 29th, and dealers nationwide are now accepting pre-orders. As is customary in the industry, the official price is often lower than the pre-sale price. Combined with potential purchase benefits (such as charging benefits and maintenance packages), the final price remains to be seen.
Interested buyers can choose a version based on their needs:
For urban commuting, we recommend the 185km long-range version, which offers a full electric range for a week's daily commute and reduces charging frequency.
Long-distance travel: The 112km standard version offers a more cost-effective price-performance ratio, while also boasting excellent overall range, making it ideal for budget-conscious users.
As the launch date approaches, more detailed specifications and pricing will be announced. This plug-in hybrid SUV, combining long range, fast charging, spacious interior, and premium features, is expected to become a strong competitor in the 150,000 RMB segment, offering consumers a more diverse choice.
If you're interested in purchasing the Dongfeng AEOLUS L8 PHEV, please contact us and we'll help you reserve it free of charge.
