Dongfeng S30

A PSA-based saloon from Wuhan

Dongfeng and PSA have built cars together in China since the 1990s, and the S30 came out of that link. An early prototype, the DFM7160, used the chassis of the Citroën Fukang, the Chinese version of the Citroën ZX, but Dongfeng judged it too cheap and dated. In 2007 it began a new project on the same PSA base and hired Italdesign for the styling and engineering. The S30 saloon was shown in April 2009 and went into production in July at the Wuhan plant.

The company itself is covered in the history of Dongfeng.

The 1.6 TU5 engine and two gearboxes

The engine is the 1.6-litre TU5 from PSA, a four-cylinder petrol unit with 16 valves used in many Peugeots and Citroëns of the 2000s. Published ratings differ: some list 105 hp, others 117 PS (86 kW), the figure used in the 1cars catalogue. Some export versions had variable valve timing and slightly more power than the base engine.

The acceleration, top speed and fuel figures are factory data quoted in the old 1cars text. The four-speed automatic is old technology even for 2009 and costs both speed and fuel, so the manual is the livelier choice.

Size, cabin and boot

According to the published data, the saloon is about 4.56 m long with a 2.61 m wheelbase. That makes it a little longer than a Citroën C-Elysée and gives it a large boot for its class: 487 litres. Compared with the C-Elysée's 506 litres, the S30's boot is 19 litres smaller, but it is far larger than the 300–400 litres typical of compact hatchbacks. Ground clearance is 150 mm, and the standard wheels are 15-inch steel rims.

The cabin has a dark wood-effect trim panel, chrome rings around the dials and soft fabric seats; leather came on the top version. The driver's seat adjusts six ways and the passenger's four. A flat rear floor without a central tunnel helps the middle passenger, and the rear bench has a fold-down armrest with two cup holders. Fit and finish were judged good for the price, although the gaps around the glovebox and between dashboard and door panels were wider than on Peugeot or Renault rivals.

Chassis and the 2013 facelift

The S30 uses MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion-beam rear axle, the classic layout of the Citroën ZX family. Steering is assisted, and the car is built for comfort rather than sharp handling. The facelift of March 2013 brought a new front with a grille of horizontal bars, fog lamps combined with daytime running lights, revised tail lamps joined by a chrome strip across the boot lid and new interior trim. At the same time the regular H30 hatchback was dropped, while the H30 Cross continued.

Trims, equipment and safety

The standard car had front airbags, ABS, air conditioning, electric windows, electric mirrors and a four-speaker audio system. Upper trims added side airbags, single-zone automatic climate control, an electric sunroof, a leather steering wheel with wood inserts, audio and cruise-control buttons, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen that also shows the rear camera image. Export versions sold in the Gulf states from April 2015 came with four airbags, ABS with brake-force distribution, automatic air conditioning and parking sensors as standard.

No Euro NCAP or other European crash test was carried out, and the S30 was not sold through dealers in the EU, so there is no official euro price.

Checks on a used S30

The PSA TU5 engine and the Aisin automatic are well-known units with wide parts availability in markets where Peugeot and Citroën were sold. A buyer should check:

1. The timing belt history of the TU5 engine; it needs regular replacement.
2. The four-speed automatic for slipping or harsh shifts.
3. Front suspension bushes and the rear beam mounts on high-mileage cars.
4. Rust on sills and the boot floor, and the condition of chrome trim.
5. Electrical items such as the touchscreen and the camera on upper trims.

S30 against C-Elysée and Logan

Against the C-Elysée and the Logan, the S30 offered a richer cabin on its upper trims, but a smaller choice of engines and no diesel. Compare dimensions and boot sizes in the 1cars comparison tool, check the catalogued versions in the specifications section, or see all saloons in the saloon section.