Designed and manufactured by Changchun Railway Vehicles, a member of CNR group (now merged with CSR to form CRRC), they were the first MTR heavy-rail stock to be manufactured in Mainland China, while past orders came from England, Japan, Europe or South Korea.

[5] By 16 October, 4 sets had arrived and were undergoing testing on the Kwun Tong line, where were first expected enter service sometime in November of the same year.

These trains also feature new 22-inch (559 mm) LCD TVs, like their counterparts on former KCR lines, and as a result are equipped with MTR In-Train TV, offering infotainment such as news and announcements.

Like the converted M-Trains used on the Disneyland Resort line, these trains are fully automated, but unlike the DRL trains, the driver's cab has been replaced by extra passenger space, with an unobstructed view out the front windows (similar to that of the HKIA automated people mover).

[14] The trains feature a different interior compared to the Kwun Tong Line configuration as well as a different paint scheme and headlight styling.