Australian pricing and specifications for the Forthing Taikon 5 electric and range-extender hybrid medium SUV have been announced ahead of the first deliveries commencing later this month. Priced from $36,990 driveaway in hybrid form and $38,990 driveaway for the electric variant, the Taikon 5 is the first model from newcomer Chinese brand Forthing, which is part of the Dongfeng Motor Group. Forthing is launching in Australia backed by Ateco Group, which also imports Ram Trucks, Maserati, Renault and LDV products locally.

Two powertrain options will be sold in the Australian-spec Taikon 5: Either a range-extender plug-in hybrid like the Leapmotor C10 or a fully-electric version with up to 437km of WLTP-rated range. The range-extender combines a 75kW/130Nm 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with a 120kW/420Nm electric motor driving the front wheels.

The engine never directly powers the wheels, instead, acts as a generator to charge the 31kWh LFP battery once it’s been drained. Charging the Taikon 5 REEV can be done at up to 40kW (DC) or 3.5kW (AC), with a claimed 30 to 80 per cent fast charge time of approximately 30 minutes. The claimed WLTP electric range of the Taikon 5 REEV is an impressive 170km, and its total claimed range is 937km.

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Meanwhile, the electric Taikon 5 uses a 150kW/340Nm front-mounted electric motor that draws power from a 64kWh LFP battery. It can be DC fast charged at up to 80kW and a 30 to 80 per cent fast charge takes a claimed 30 minutes, while the Taikon 5 BEV’s claimed WLTP range is 437km.

Measuring 4600mm long, 1860mm wide, 1700mm tall and riding on a 2715mm long wheelbase, the Taikon 5 is sized similarly to the Geely EX5, which is one of its closest competitors. The Taikon 5 REEV’s kerb weight is 1820kg, with the BEV adding 100kg to that.

Ateco has also announced Forthing’s local warranty, which sees its products covered for seven years or 200,000km (whichever comes first). The Taikon 5’s service intervals are 12 months/15,000km (whichever occurs first) for the range extender, and 12 months/20,000km (whichever occurs first) for the BEV, with pricing yet to be announced.

2026 Forthing Taikon 5 pricing (driveaway):

  • Range Extender Hybrid Luxury: $36,990
  • BEV Luxury: $38,990
  • Range Extender Hybrid Exclusive: $40,490
  • BEV Exclusive: $42,490
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Forthing Taikon 5 Luxury standard features:

  • Dusk-sensing automatic LED exterior lighting with scrolling rear indicators
  • 19-inch alloy wheels
  • Remote central locking with keyless start (Range Extender) or push button start (BEV)
  • Heated exterior mirrors
  • Synthetic leather upholstery
  • 10-way electric adjustment for the driver seat
  • Ventilation and massage functions for the driver seat
  • 4-way electric adjustment for front passenger seat
  • 8.8-inch driver information display
  • 14.6-inch infotainment screen
  • FM/AM and digital radio
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Four-speaker audio system
  • Electric parking brake
  • Crystal-style gear selector
  • Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability up to 3.5kW
  • 6x airbags
  • Autonomous emergency braking 
  • Lane departure warning
  • Lane keep assist
  • Front and rear collision warning
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Door exit warning
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Traffic sign recognition
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Reversing camera
  • Tyre pressure monitoring

Taikon 5 Exclusive model adds to Luxury:

  • Power tailgate 
  • Front parking sensors
  • Rear privacy glass
  • Power-folding side mirrors
  • Wireless phone charger
  • Leather steering wheel
  • 360-degree ‘panorama’ view camera
  • Panoramic sunroof with front opening section
  • Six-speaker audio system
  • Space-saver spare tyre and wheel jack kit (BEV)