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Dongfeng Motor Corporation presented this week at the Beijing Auto Show the M-Hero 917L, a military-inspired electric off-road vehicle that aims to compete directly with the American GMC Hummer EV in the high-performance 4x4 segment.
The vehicle is aesthetically and technically based on the tactical armored CSK-181 Mengshi of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and its dimensions are colossal: 5.18 meters in length and 3.15 meters in width.
The exterior design, a creation of Dongfeng's design center led by Alexander Knöpfle —former Volkswagen and Audi— and Yongliang Zhang, incorporates the creases of the hood, the outline of the headlights, the wheel arches, and the shape of the grille from the original military model, with nods to stealth technology aircraft. "The car features a front end that resembles the mask of an ancient warrior," describes Motor1. "You may like it or not, but no one can deny that it is different."
The interior contrasts drastically with the exterior: a carpet of speckled bovine leather with natural hair, authentic leather and wood paneling, and a transmission selector that mimics the power levers of a reactor. The door handles are shaped like pistol grips, reinforcing the overall martial feel.
Three screens dominate the dashboard: a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a floating central monitor of 15.6 inches, and an additional 12.3-inch display in front of the passenger. An optional fourth eight-inch screen is integrated into the rear armrest. The 917L also offers the option for a third row of seats, accommodating seven occupants.
In the 100% electric version, four motors—one for each wheel—combine for 1,088 hp and 1,392 Nm of torque, with a 142.7 kWh battery that provides a range of between 450 and 500 km according to the WLTP cycle. The extended-range version (EREV) combines three electric motors with a total of 816 hp and a 1.5 turbo gasoline engine that acts exclusively as a generator, achieving a combined range of over 800 km with a 66 kWh battery and a full 84-liter tank.
Despite weighing between 3,500 and 3,920 kg depending on the version, the 917L accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. A reduction gear on each axle raises the total torque at the wheels to 16,196 Nm, allowing it to conquer slopes of 45°.
The air suspension adjusts the ground clearance from 220 mm in road mode to 335 mm in extreme off-road mode, allowing the vehicle to traverse water crossings of up to 900 mm. The rear steering axle, with a turning angle of up to 10.6°, enables lateral movement like a crab, reducing the turning radius to just 5.1 meters. Five driving modes—snow, mud, sand, rock, and floods—and three electronic locks enhance its off-road capabilities.
This move by Dongfeng is part of the strategy of Chinese manufacturers to scale up into luxury and high-performance segments. In the same week, Dongfeng and Huawei presented the Yijing X9, another luxury SUV that also made its debut at the Beijing Auto Show. Dongfeng's premium brand, Voyah, recently debuted on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in a context where GM has paused its future electric pickups while China makes rapid advances in electromobility.
In China, the price of the 917L starts at 820,000 yuan —around 102,500 euros— for the EREV version. In Europe, where it is already exported to Switzerland and Middle Eastern markets, the price begins at approximately 170,000 euros, compared to less than 100,000 euros for the GMC Hummer EV in its home market.
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