The six-seat SUV equipped with Huawei Qiankun Intelligent Driving ADS 5 SE underwent a four-hour road test across rural roads, urban streets and highways, demonstrating the capabilities and limitations of modern driver-assistance technology.

Dongfeng Forthing has put its Xinghai V6 six-seat SUV through a 158-kilometre real-world intelligent driving test along China's Pinglu Canal, highlighting the vehicle's Huawei Qiankun Intelligent Driving ADS 5 SE system and its ability to assist drivers across different road conditions.

The test took place on October 20 and was broadcast online. Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Product Director Chen Zhengyu joined automotive content creator Wanche Doudou for the approximately four-hour journey, which started at the Ping Tang River entrance in Hengzhou and passed through the Madao and Qingnian canal hubs before ending at Xiandao Park.

The route covered rural roads, town streets and highways, providing an opportunity to demonstrate how the Xinghai V6's driver-assistance systems respond to changing traffic environments.

For drivers following developments in intelligent vehicle technology, the test also offered an important reminder: advanced driving assistance can make journeys more convenient, but the driver remains responsible for safe vehicle operation.

Xinghai V6 and Huawei Intelligent Driving Technology

The main focus of the demonstration was the Huawei Qiankun Intelligent Driving ADS 5 SE system fitted to the Xinghai V6.

On roads with clear lane markings, the vehicle's Lane Cruise Control (LCC) assistance was demonstrated performing functions such as maintaining its lane, following traffic and recognising traffic lights.

On highways, the Navigation Cruise Assist (NCA) function was shown supporting several driving operations, including speed adjustment, assisted overtaking, highway entrance and exit navigation, and obstacle avoidance.

During the demonstration, the vehicle also encountered large trucks travelling alongside it. According to the livestream, the system could make small adjustments to its position within the lane to provide additional clearance during overtaking.

The vehicle's CAS 5.0 all-direction collision avoidance system was also demonstrated in more complex traffic conditions, including situations involving vehicles approaching from the side.

However, the test did not suggest that the system can operate independently in every situation. When the vehicle encountered rural roads with unclear lane markings, the driver had to take control to maintain safety.

Dongfeng's representative also emphasised during the livestream that drivers must remain attentive and keep their hands on the steering wheel. Intelligent driving assistance should not be confused with fully autonomous driving.

A 158 km Test Across Different Road Conditions

The route was designed to expose the Xinghai V6 to a variety of everyday driving situations rather than limiting the demonstration to controlled conditions.

The journey included:

• Rural roads: Sections with unclear lane markings required driver intervention.

• Urban and town roads: LCC assistance demonstrated lane guidance, traffic following and traffic-light recognition on suitable marked roads.

• Highways: NCA assistance demonstrated supported lane changes, overtaking, speed control and ramp navigation.

• Complex traffic: The vehicle demonstrated collision-avoidance assistance and responses to nearby traffic.

The results illustrate an important point for consumers considering vehicles with advanced driver-assistance systems: performance depends on road markings, visibility, traffic conditions, system limitations and driver supervision.

For markets such as Rwanda, where drivers may encounter a mixture of urban roads, rural routes, changing road surfaces and varying traffic conditions, understanding these limitations is just as important as knowing the advertised technology features.

Six Seats, Family Comfort and Structural Safety

Beyond intelligent driving, the Xinghai V6 is positioned as a family-oriented six-seat SUV in China's domestic market.

Its 2+2+2 seating arrangement is designed to provide separate seating for six occupants, while its 2,900 mm wheelbase aims to create more space for passengers across the three rows.

The second-row individual seats and central aisle are intended to make access to the rear seats more convenient, particularly for families travelling with children or older passengers.

Dongfeng Forthing also highlights the vehicle's body structure, which reportedly uses high-strength steel for 76% of its body-in-white structure. The company says this construction is intended to improve occupant protection.

The vehicle also features chassis tuning developed to balance comfort and handling during family journeys.

These features place the Xinghai V6 in the growing category of family vehicles that combine passenger capacity, safety-focused engineering and intelligent driving assistance.

Intelligent Technology Inspired by a Major Chinese Infrastructure Project

The road test was also designed to highlight Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor's connection with the Pinglu Canal project, a major infrastructure development in southern China.

According to the company, its commercial vehicles supported construction activities at several key canal hubs, including Madao, Qingnian and Qishi. Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor also reported that its passenger vehicle KD components were among the cargo transported through the canal during its inaugural navigation.

During the livestream, Chen Zhengyu discussed how the canal could improve transport links between southwestern China and international markets, including Southeast Asia.

The Xinghai V6 demonstration connected this broader infrastructure story with everyday mobility: while the canal is designed to improve the movement of goods, the vehicle's intelligent driving technology aims to make family travel more convenient and controlled.

The journey also passed the Maowei Sea mangrove conservation area. The livestream highlighted environmental considerations in the canal's construction, including adjustments intended to protect sensitive ecosystems.

Dongfeng Forthing also pointed to the Xinghai V6's use of natural-fibre interior materials, including bamboo fibre and sugarcane plant fibre, as part of its approach to cabin materials and passenger comfort. The company describes the cabin as designed with family health in mind.

What the Xinghai V6's Technology Means for Rwanda

The Xinghai V6's demonstration is relevant to Rwanda's evolving automotive market, where interest in modern family vehicles, advanced safety features and intelligent mobility is growing.

For families in Kigali and other parts of the country, a six-seat layout could offer practical advantages for transporting children, relatives and luggage. The 2+2+2 configuration may also be attractive to households that need more passenger flexibility than a conventional five-seat SUV provides.

Its Huawei-powered driving assistance technology is another notable feature. Systems that support lane keeping, traffic following and highway driving may help reduce the workload on drivers when conditions are suitable.

Nevertheless, Rwanda's road environment presents its own challenges. Narrow roads, motorcycles, pedestrians, roadworks, uneven surfaces and inconsistent lane markings can affect the operation of camera- and sensor-based driver-assistance systems.

The rural-road intervention during the Chinese test is particularly relevant: drivers should always be prepared to take control, regardless of how advanced a vehicle's technology may be.

Before the Xinghai V6 can be considered a confirmed purchase option in Rwanda, potential buyers would also need information about local availability, pricing, right-hand-drive configuration, vehicle certification, software and map compatibility, servicing, spare parts and warranty support.

No confirmed Rwanda-market launch or local retail price was announced in the information provided for this report.

Making Intelligent Mobility More Accessible

The 158 km journey along the Pinglu Canal was more than a technology demonstration. It showed how Dongfeng Forthing is positioning the Xinghai V6 as a family vehicle that combines intelligent driving assistance, six-seat practicality and safety-focused engineering.

The test also demonstrated that intelligent driving technology still has limitations, particularly when road markings are unclear or driving conditions become more complicated.

As Chinese automakers continue developing vehicles with increasingly advanced driver-assistance features, demonstrations such as this provide useful insight into how the technology works in everyday traffic.

For Rwanda's automotive market, the Xinghai V6 offers an example of the direction modern family SUVs are taking: more seating flexibility, greater connectivity and additional driver-support technologies, with the driver remaining at the centre of road safety.