DFM Captain T is offered at a very attractive price – from 1,790,000 rubles.
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. However, in Russia, she still has not been able to turn around to the fullest: compared to other “Chinese” sales of her cars are small.
Now DFM also offers Captain T cabover trucks.
What are they?
Almost Porter
One gets the feeling that Hyundai Porter for Chinese manufacturers of small trucks is a dream car. Everyone tries to be like him. Quite recently, we were surprised at this when meeting Sollers Argo (before localization it was JAC N25 / N35), and now déjà vu has arisen with the Captain. Outwardly – like brothers.
In China, there are also four-door cabins, but we have only 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.
Between the headlights there is a hinged hatch-grille, under which the necks of the expansion tank and the windshield washer.
The AdBlue liquid tank holds 16 liters. Nearby are numerous wiring harnesses, which would not hurt to additionally protect against reagents.
The rear axle on springs is a common thing. I was surprised that here and in front there 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 this is done?
The front axle on pivots and with springs (three sheets) is a real archaic.
The rear axle also has three springs, but a sprung box has been added, which is necessary for driving with a full load. Front disc brakes, rear drum brakes.
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 cargo frame of Moscow. Now all automakers are forced to use such a trick.
The frame makes a solid impression. The width of the spar is 50 mm. The frame has several mounting holes for installing add-ons. We have an onboard version with an awning.
The dimensions of the cargo compartment are considerable, but the equipment is modest: no lighting, no rigging loops.
Stops for boards are made of the rubberized material. We approve.
Composite side mirrors are good – you can see everything!
With small dimensions, the dimensions of the cargo compartment 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 body. And everything would be fine, but the loading height is too big: lifting weights by 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, he was created, it seems, according to the residual principle. Inside there is a distinct phenolic spirit: as if he found himself in a plastic factory. And the finish did not please: the gaps are walking, and there is a bit too much flash. All this is mixed up on a frankly old-fashioned design, the apogee of which is the ancient single-din radio tape recorder. Is this really the car of 2023?
But visibility is good: a large glass area and large composite mirrors. Pleased with the presence of air conditioning, central locking, power windows and heated driver’s seat. The chair itself has a tolerable profile and minimal adjustment ranges.
As with many competitors, the engine is accessed via a jump-down passenger seat.
The miniature heating button is located in the blind zone – try to find it.
The front wall of the cab is devoid of any finish. Bare metal looks depressing.
What motor?
The right seat is not double – designed for one passenger. If you raise it, access to the motor will open.
This is a 128-horsepower 2.2-liter Quanchai turbodiesel. 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 diesel particulate filter with the possibility of forced combustion.
Especially for our market, heating of the coarse fuel filter has been introduced – and that’s good!
A double contour of seals is laid along the perimeter. An additional rubber band was glued over the arch.
At idle, the engine threshes very loudly, at least plug your ears. Maybe it will be better on the go?
Too loud!
How does it ride?
The car starts confidently: the clutch works as it should, there is no shortage of traction. And the clarity of the five-speed mechanics does not raise questions. It is convenient to drive around the city. Dimensions are small, visibility is good – beauty.
On the track, the Captain does not like it. The most suitable speed is 80 km / h, at which the tachometer needle shows 2550 rpm. Going faster is already uncomfortable. At 85 km / h, an unpleasant rumble appears, and by 100 km / h such vibrations begin that, willy-nilly, you slow down. Also, the hydraulically reinforced steering wheel loses “zero”. In general, it is not suitable for work on a long arm. But in the city there is a place for the Captain.
Brakes well?
What is empty, what is empty Captain swallows patches and potholes with a bang. But he doesn’t like bulges – on the very first speed bump it hit me so hard (the front suspension is especially trying) that I already bit my tongue. From now on, he slowed down in front of them.
Interior decoration is not very modern. But the equipment is not bad: air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, central locking, multifunctional steering wheel. But there is nowhere to put the phone. The cup holder to the left of the steering wheel is convenient.
Simple tidy surprises with a boastful speedometer marked up to 160 km / h.
At the end of the trip, for no apparent reason, the ABS error icon lit up.
Brakes, by the way, work flawlessly. In fact, they worked at first. And at the end of the test, the “ABS error” icon lit up on the tidy. It’s time to return to base.
This is what confuses me. For all its kondovosti Captain did not cause the feeling of a strong machine.
What resource?
DFM Captain T. Price in Russia: from 1 790 000 ₽
The modest interservice mileage is alarming: you will have to come to MOT every 10 thousand km or every six months.
A small box is provided in the bowels of the folding armrest.
A4 sheets can only be placed in the tray – it is on the ceiling on the passenger side.
I called the dealer, posing as a potential buyer.
He immediately rests on the price of the van: for 1,790,000 rubles you can buy only Sable Business. For other classmates will have to pay half a million more.
However, the answer to the question about the cost of maintenance was dumbfounded. For the first MOT you have to pay more than 48 thousand rubles. Expensive! At the same Sable, a visit to the dealer will cost 18 thousand. Yes, and spare parts for Sable will be cheaper.
There are shelves above and below the radio, but modern smartphones do not fit there.
The glove box is amazing in its microscopic dimensions – only a notebook will fit. The affordable starting price is more like a lure. The operation of 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: rude in habits, with a modest interior and poor sound insulation. So weak that after starting the engine I had to turn up the volume of the radio. And there the song just started playing: “Captain, captain, pull yourself up!”
Of the add-ons for the 2.5-ton version, only a tilt platform is currently available. It is produced by the Russian company SpetsMobil.
High-torque engine, visibility, price
Noise isolation, level of finish, road performance on the highway DFM Captain TLength / width / height / base 5430 / 1945 / 2046 / 2800 mm Number of seats 2 Cargo compartment volume 10 m³ Curb / gross weight 1920 / 2490 kg Diesel engine, P4, 16 valves, 2237 cm³; 94 kW / 128 HP With. at 3000 rpm; 315 Nm @ 2000 rpm М5TOP‑10 models on the LCV market in 2022*GAZ Gazelle Next 20 600Ford Transit 7431GAZ-3302 6972UAZ-3909 6454Lada Largus 5581GAZ-2752 4891UAZ Profi 2678GAZ-2310 1730UAZ-2206 1372Lada Granta
* According to the Autostat agency.
We would like to thank Major Auto for their help in organizing the test drive.
“Behind the wheel” can now be watched on RuTube
