By the standards of China, and on a global scale, Dongfeng Motor (we sell its cars under the abbreviation DFM) is quite large. For 53 years, she has produced about 55 million cars. In Russia, however, she still has not managed to turn around in full: in comparison with other “Chinese” sales of her cars are small.
Now DFM also offers Captain T cabover trucks.
What are they?
Almost doorman
You get the feeling that the Hyundai Porter is a dream car for Chinese small truck manufacturers. Everyone tries to be like him. Quite recently we were surprised about this when we met Soller’s Argo (before localization it was JAC N25 / N35), and now a déjà vu has set in with the captain. Appearance – like brothers.
In China there are also four-door cabs, but we only have two doors.
Halogen headlights, LED DRL, front and rear fog lights.
Assembly and painting is neat. But the rust on the rims that appeared on the new car alerted me.
The rear axle on springs is a very common thing. I was surprised that here and in front of it is a bridge with springs and even with pivots. The design is archaic, but hardy. Although it requires extra attention during maintenance: the kingpin bearings must be injected – have you forgotten how to do that?
Captains come in two versions: with a gross weight of 2.5 tons (as in our case) or 3.5 tons. At the same time, the curb weight is the same – 1920 kg. And there are no changes in the design. The light version differs only in documents – on it you can freely penetrate the Moscow cargo frame. Now all car manufacturers are forced to use such a trick.
The frame makes a solid impression. The beam width is 50 mm. The frame has several mounting holes for installing add-ons. We have a board version with awning.
The dimensions of the cargo area are considerable, but the equipment is modest: no lights, no rigging loops.
With small dimensions, the dimensions of the cargo area are decent: length 3.5 m, width 1.8 m, height 1.6 m. Total – 10 cubic meters.
Four Euro pallets can be placed in the superstructure. And everything would be fine, but the loading height is too great: lifting weights with a good meter (well, 93 cm) is still a pleasure.
Interior and ergonomics
When designing trucks, the interior is not the first priority. But in the case of the captain, it seems, he is made on the residual principle. Inside there is a clear phenolic spirit: as if he were in a plastic factory. And the finish was not to my liking: the gaps are wide and there is a little too much flash. All this is mixed with a frankly old-fashioned design, culminating in the old single-din radio tape recorder. Is this really the car of 2023?
But visibility is good: a large glass surface and large composite mirrors. Pleased with the presence of air conditioning, central locking, power windows and heated driver’s seat. The seat itself has an acceptable profile and minimal adjustment ranges.
As with many competitors, the engine is accessed via a folding passenger seat.
Which engine?
The right seat is not double – designed for one passenger. Raising it opens access to the motor.
This is a 128 hp 2.2 liter Quanchai turbo diesel. It has an overhead camshaft, a Bosch Common Rail fuel system with electromagnetic injectors. It meets the fifth environmental class – thanks to the injection of AdBlue additives and a particulate filter with the possibility of forced combustion.
Heating of the coarse fuel filter has been introduced especially for our market – and that’s good!
A double contour of seals is laid along the perimeter. An additional rubber band was glued over the bow.
At idle, the engine threshes very hard, at least plug your ears. Maybe it’s better down the road?
Too loud!
How does it drive?
The car starts confidently: the clutch works as it should, there is no lack of traction. And the clarity of the five-speed transmission raises no questions. It is convenient to drive around the city. The dimensions are small, the visibility is good – beauty.
On the track, the captain doesn’t like it. The most suitable speed is 80 km / h, where the tachometer needle shows 2550 rpm. Going faster is already uncomfortable. At 85 km / h, an unpleasant rumble appears, and at 100 km / h, such vibrations begin that, knowingly, you slow down. The hydraulically reinforced steering wheel also loses “zero”. In general, it is not suitable for long arm work. But there’s room for the captain in the city.
Brakes well?
What’s empty, what’s empty Captain swallows pits and pits with a bang. But he doesn’t like bulges – at the very first speed bump it hit me so hard (especially the front suspension tries) that I was already biting my tongue. From now on he slowed down ahead of them.
Interior decoration is not very modern. But the equipment is not bad: air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, central locking, multifunction steering wheel. But there is nowhere to put the phone. Handy is the cup holder to the left of the steering wheel.
The brakes work flawlessly by the way. In fact, they worked first. And at the end of the test, the “ABS error” icon on the net lit up. It’s time to get back to basics.
This is what confuses me. For all his kondovosti Captain did not cause the feeling of a strong machine.
Which source?
DFM Captain T. Price in Russia: from 1 790 000 ₽
The modest interservice mileage is alarming: you will have to come to the MOT every 10,000 km or every six months.
I called the dealer and pretended to be a potential buyer.
He immediately rests on the price of the van: for 1,790,000 rubles you can buy only Sable Business. Half a million more must be paid for other classmates.
However, the answer to the question about maintenance costs was astounding. For the first MOT you have to pay more than 48 thousand rubles. Duration! At the same Sable, a visit to the dealer will cost 18 thousand. Yes, and spare parts for Sable will be cheaper.
An affordable starting price is more of a lure. Operating the Captain can be quite expensive – especially if you drive to the dealer.
And it would be nice if it was an impeccable truck. But no: coarse in habits, with a modest interior and poor soundproofing. So weak that after starting the engine I had to turn up the volume on the radio. And there the song just started playing: “Captain, captain, pull yourself up!”
Of the extensions for the 2.5-tonne version, only a tilting platform is currently available. It is produced by the Russian company SpetsMobil.
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High torque motor, visibility, price |
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Soundproofing, trim level, highway performance |
DFM Captain T
- Length / Width / Height / Base 5430 / 1945 / 2046 / 2800mm
- number of seats 2
- Luggage compartment volume 10 m³
- Empty weight / gross weight 1920 / 2490 kg
- engine diesel, P4, 16 valves, 2237 cm³; 94 kW / 128 HP Met. at 3000 rpm; 315 Nm at 2000 rpm
- Fuel / fuel reserve DT / 80 liters
- Transfer rear drive; M5
TOP 10 models in the LCV market in 2022*
- GAZ Gazelle Next 20 600
- Ford Transit 7431
- GAZ-3302 6972
- UAZ-3909 6454
- Lada Largos 5581
- GAZ-2752 4891
- UAZ Prof 2678
- GAZ-2310 1730
- UAZ-2206 1372
- Lada Granta 1289
* According to the Autostat agency.
We would like to thank Major Auto for helping us organize the test drive.
- “Driving” can now be viewed RuTube
DFM Captain T is offered at a very attractive price – from 1,790,000 rubles.
Another competitor of GAZelle: cheap! Even more!