The first Dongfeng Mengshi M-Hero has just rolled off the assembly line packing four e-motors jointly rated at 1,088 PS (1,073 hp / 800 kW) and 505 km (314 miles) of range. According to CarNewsChina, the all-electric SUV will later get a REX hybrid version with less power and more range.
The car is 4,987 mm long, 2,080 mm wide and 1,935 mm tall with 2,950 mm between the axles (inches: 194.8 x 81.25 x 75.6 x 115.3). Despite the sheer bulk and curb weight of 3.8 metric tons (8,377 pounds), it is designed exclusively as a five-seater.
The powertrain produces 1,400 Nm (1,044 lb-ft) of torque and draws its juice from a 140-kWh traction battery. Later on, the company will be adding a range-extender hybrid variant to the lineup rated at 816 PS (805 hp / 600 kW) and 1,050 Nm (774 lb-ft) of torque. That one will make do with a smaller 66-kWh battery and rely on a 1.5-liter petrol turbo-four engine to generate additional power. In the end, the manufacturer says the hybrid will be able to cover at least 800 km (497 miles) with its battery pack and gas tank full at the start.
For the rest of the details, stay tuned for the Shanghai Auto Show. Dongfeng plans to start sales in the second half of 2023. The minimum price is rumored to be 700,000 Yuan (slightly above $100,000 USD). Considering the steep pricing (by the local standards), the automaker reckons there will be no great demand and plans to sell only around 1,500 Mengshi M-Hero units per year. We are excited to see how that goes, frankly.