Forthing Taikon 5 priced ahead of Aus launch

CHINESE brand Forthing will make landfall later this month with its Taikon 5 medium segment SUV.

Offered as a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or range-extender electric vehicle (REV) in two grades apiece, the two-variant Forthing Taikon 5 range will be priced from a competitive $36,990 driveaway.

The pricing places the model in direct competition with rivals that include the BYD Atto 3 BEV (from $39,990 + ORC), BYD Sealion 5 PHEV (from $33,990 + ORC), BYD Sealion 6 PHEV (from $42,990 + ORC), Chery Tiggo 7 BEV (from $29,990 d/a), GAC Aion V (from $42,990 + ORC), Geely Starray PHEV (from $37,490 + ORC), Geely EX5 BEV (from $41,990 + ORC), Jaecoo J7 PHEV (from $43,990 d/a), and Leapmotor C10 REV (from $43,888 + ORC).

Imported by the Ateco Group, the Forthing brand – part of China’s Dongfeng Motor Group – is said to have showroom representation in every Australian state, each geared up to sell and service the brand’s new energy vehicle range.

The Forthing Taikon 5 BEV is driven by a front-mounted permanent synchronous electric motor developing 150kW/340Nm.

Power is supplied by a 64kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery delivering up to 427km (WLTP) range. It may be recharged via an 80kW DC fast charger with a listed 30-80 per cent recharge time of approximately 30 minutes. No AC charging data is currently available.

Vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality is offered at up to 3.5kW.

Alternately, Range Extender Hybrid versions of the Taikon 5 offer a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (75kW/130Nm) paired with a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor (120kW/240Nm).

The petrol motor acts as a generator to provide charge to a 31kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery. It draws from a 43-litre fuel tank (of 91RON standard unleaded) to offer up to 937km WLTP on combined petrol/electric driving (or up to 170km WLTP on electric power alone).

Peak DC charging is listed at 40kW with a quoted 30-80 per cent charge time of approximately 30 minutes.

As is the case for the BEV duo, the REVs offer vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality at up to 3.5kW.

The entry-grade Forthing Taikon 5 Luxury arrives as standard with a generous level of standard equipment, including electric power steering, an electric park brake with hill-hold assist, 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/55 series tyres, dusk-sensing bi-LED headlights, tilt/reach steering column adjustment, and one-touch power windows.

It is further equipped with faux leather (PVC) upholstery, a 10-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, a four-way electrically adjustable front passenger seat, front seat ventilation and massage functionality, an 8.8-inch digital instrumentation screen, and a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen with four-speaker sound, AM/FM/DAB+ radio reception and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Stepping up to the Forthing Taikon 5 Exclusive we find inclusions such as a powered tailgate, power folding side mirrors, rear privacy glass, a panoramic glass sunroof, wireless phone charger, a leather-wrapped steering wheel rim, and six-speaker sound.

The only variance between BEV and REV models in terms of equipment is a space-saver spare wheel and jack kit for the former (others receive an inflator kit).

Standard safety features for the Forthing Taikon 5 include adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot warning, door exit warning, front and rear collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring, and six airbags (front, side, and curtain).

The high-grade Exclusive adds/substitutes front parking sensors and a 360-degree camera.

Measurements for the Forthing Taikon 5 are listed at 4600mm in length, 1860mm in width, 1680mm in height (1700mm for REV variants), and 2715mm in wheelbase. The BEV tips the scale at 1920kg (kerb) while the REV is 100kg heavier.

Forthing backs the Taikon 5 range with a seven-year/200,000km warranty (whichever comes first) while listing service intervals of 12 months/20,000km for BEV grades and 12 month/15,000km for REV grades.

“We are pleased to offer Australian new-car buyers a range of affordable options in the booming new energy vehicle class,” said Forthing Australia national manager Shaun Garrard.

2026 Forthing Taikon 5 pricing*:

*National driveaway price. Metallic paint adds $600.