MYAUTO recently test drove the Lantu FREE. The test drive raised a big question for MYAUTO. This plug-in hybrid large SUV from Dongfeng’s high-end brand is supposed to focus on chassis and driving quality, but how about its comfort?
As a benchmark, MYAUTO sets its first-generation Audi Q5 as the “qualified standard” and evaluates the chassis of the Lantu FREE comprehensively based on this.
The feeling of driving the LanTu FREE is surprisingly similar to the Audi Q5. MYAUTO’s first drive in the LanTu FREE revealed its impressive chassis quality. Its steering feel and body control are actually quite similar to the old Audi Q5.
Simply put, the chassis of the LanTu FREE is agile and solid. Especially when experiencing bumps, the chassis of the LanTu FREE does not show unnecessary rebound, it can be said to be very tight and flexible. When driving LanTu FREE at high speed through corners, although it may bring more body roll than the Audi Q5, this roll is controllable and not uncomfortable. In short, MYAUTO believes that the chassis of LanTu FREE is advanced enough and has a touch of “German flavor”. However, LanTu FREE is clearly a high-end new energy SUV from Dongfeng, why does it have a “German flavor”? Can the chassis also be played with the same model? While resting on the way, a strange idea came to MYAUTO’s mind: I want to lie under the car and see the chassis structure of LanTu FREE, to see if it is somewhat similar to my first generation Audi Q5. When MYAUTO saw the front control arm structure of LanTu FREE, he was relieved!
The front suspension of this car looks 80% similar to that of the Audi Q5! The Audi Q5 uses a five-link front suspension; the Lantu FREE uses a double wishbone front suspension. Why are they said to be the same?
Through images, we can see that the front suspension of the Audi Q5 is called “five-link,” but it is actually a type of double wishbone. Its upper wishbone uses two separate decoupled control arm structures, which is a unique design by Audi. The Lantu FREE also adopts this double wishbone design, with a strong Audi style. After test driving and researching, it was discovered that the front suspension of the Lantu FREE is almost identical to the first generation Audi Q5. For example, besides the consistent front suspension structure, even the front full-frame subframe structure is almost identical.
Looking at the rear suspension, the Lantu FREE and Audi Q5 are almost the same, both using a full-frame subframe and matching compound links for a premium driving experience.
MYAUTO wants to say that the chassis structure of the Lantu FREE is similar to the first generation Audi Q5. But it can be described as “better”.
On one hand, the chassis structure of the first-generation Audi Q5 is complex and difficult to tune. However, the Lantu can tune this chassis solidly and well, indicating that the Lantu has something special. Its tuning skills can rival Toyota and Honda, if not Audi and BMW. On the other hand, the materials used in the Lantu FREE chassis are truly solid. From the front and rear subframes to the swing arms and control arms of the front and rear suspensions, almost all are made of aluminum alloy, much more reliable than foreign brands.
