Dongfeng M-Hero I, an off-road electric SUV is slated to reach European markets in the second half of 2024. Currently, it’s only available in China, where it was launched in August 2023.
M-Hero I is already en route to Europe, as a part of an overseas trial expedition. There are two groups to conduct vehicle testing: one slated for the European Union and the other one for the Middle East.
Dongfeng M-Hero I testing plan
The overseas adaptability trial ensures that M-Hero I can adapt to the environmental conditions and user demands in target countries. Vehicle manufacturers are aware that European consumers have different habits and expectations of their vehicles, in comparison with Chinese consumers.
The European leg of testing will be taken in Germany, France, Sweden, and Norway. The routes cover various terrains, including mountains, coastal areas, and cities, aiming to replicate real user scenarios such as daily commuting, shopping, intercity travel, and long-distance journeys.
The local climate, road conditions, and cultural habits will be taken into consideration. the trial team will collaborate with local drivers to conduct vehicle driving and evaluations. Critical tests will be based on feedback from real local users, emphasizing the consideration of local conditions. The estimated end of trials is in March 2024. After gathering all relevant data and possible adjustments, export to Europe will follow.
About Dongfeng M-Hero I
The Dongfeng M-Hero I is a luxury off-road electric all-wheel-drive SUV. The equipment list goes on and on, but we’ll concentrate only on the basics here. The car has 4 e-Motor drives and is powered with a Ternary lithium battery with a capacity of 142.7 kWh. Maximal power output and maximal torque are 800 kW (or 1,088 hp), and 1,400 Nm, respectively.
Although it weighs almost 3.3 tonnes, it accelerates insanely fast. The Dongfeng M-Hero I goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds According to the manufacturer, this EV has a respectable range of 450 km. As with any other EV, the charging takes some time. 47 minutes from 30% to 80% on a DC Quick Charge, to be precise. The price for the Dongfeng M-Hero I is yet to be defined.
About the company
M-Hero is a sub-brand of the state-owned auto giant Dongfeng. M-Hero I is based on Mengshi, armored military vehicles used by the Chinese army. We can draw a parallel here with the Humwee, an American military truck that is also selling as a civilian version.
Dongfeng main business covers commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, NEVs, auto assemblies, parts and components, machines and equipment, and other automobile-related products and services. The company employs 127,000 people, and it has sold over 1,200,000 vehicles overseas, with its products sold in over 100 countries.
Although the majority of its vehicle portfolio is made of vehicles with internal combustion engines, Dongfeng also seriously invests in all-electric ones. Dongfeng M-Hero I currently presents a pinnacle of what Dongfeng has to offer in the EV segment. It comes to Europe, to prove is the company able to meet the needs of overseas markets.
Source: Dongfeng