The Chinese automotive brand has unveiled two concept vehicles united under its new Mengshi (‘Warrior’) sub-brand: an all-electric off-roader called M-Terrain and a battery truck dubbed the M-Terrain S. Both are expected to arrive in 2023.
Underpinning both models is a unitized vehicle architecture named MORA, which supports various body styles but emphasizes off-roading capabilities. The steering wheel has no actual physical link to the wheels, but rear-wheel steering is supported by default thanks to a quartet of electric motors mounted one per wheel.
Drivers can choose from nine drive modes, some of them lifting the body by up to 105 mm (4 inches) thanks to air suspension. All three differentials are lockable.
The drivetrain generates a total of 1,088 metric horsepower, which translates into 1,073 mechanical hp or exactly 800 kilowatts. Despite their bulk. both concepts can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from standstill in just 4.2 seconds. Less extreme modifications will also be available, Dongfeng assures us, adding that a range-extended hybrid (REX) version is under development, too. Opting for a purely electric EV will give you around 500 km (310 miles) of driving range, while going REX will net you a superior 800 km (497 miles).
Car spotters have already nabbed the Mengshi SUV on public roads before. It was estimated at 5.2 meters (17 feet) long with a curb weight of 3.2 metric tons (7,055 pounds). Dongfeng says the truck will be slightly smaller and lighter.