Dongfeng M-Hero M817 912-HP SUV Pulls 10K Orders in 24 Hours

If you think Chinese cars are still catching up—think again. Say hello to the Dongfeng M-Hero M817—an electrified SUV so powerful and aggressive that it received nearly 10,000 pre-orders within its first 24 hours on sale. And get this, it makes 912 horsepower. More than some supercars. 

It’s fast, it’s tough, and filled with the latest tech. It may even be coming to the U.S. sooner than you imagine. Let’s take a closer look at what is making this SUV the talk of the global motoring community.

A Super- SUV Where the power is Out of this World

Let’s start by talking about what was shocking—912-hp. The M-Hero M817 features a range-extender, which means that it utilizes a powertrain with a 1.5-liter turbo engine that continually charges its battery, which powers dual electric motors with a combined 1,280 Nm torque. Talk about excitement!

It zips from 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds—that's not what you expect in a boxy off-roader. You can think of it as a sort of modern-day hybrid of  a Hummer EV mated with a Dodge Durango SRT… and both are made in China.

Why it matters:

• Enough power to ride through mud, snow, and highways in a single push
• No range anxiety due to having a hybrid-electric powertrain
• Can tow, crawl, and cruise—all with instant torque

Looks That Scream Adventure (Or Apocalypse)

If there's an SUV that's going to look like it's ready for a zombie apocalypse, it's this one. The M817 looks like a proper military vehicle, and that strong image is boosted by its aggressive fenders, boxy design, thick off-road tires, and the many LED light bars stretching across its front. It's a brutish design meant to make an entrance.

With up to 385 mm of ground clearance, you can expect it will climb over everything from boulders to logs, or even wet trails completely submerged in water. It's approach angle is 33° and the departure angle is 34° so this vehicle is made for actual off-roading driving, not mall crawling.

Notable features of M817:

• The massive off-road tires and a high stance and positioning
• An industrial and no-nonsense design
• Two trims -- one for the urban dweller, one for supremely off-road enthusaists

Packed With Smart Tech Inside

Once inside, the M-Hero M817 surprises you once again - there’s more to this SUV than just brute force. The M-Hero is loaded with futuristic tech, including a 15.6-inch curved touchscreen, a passenger display, and Huawei's HarmonyOS operating the whole cockpit.

You'll also receive Huawei ADS 4.0, their semi-autonomous driving system, with lane-keeping, adaptive cruise, and smart parking capabilities. There's wireless charging, premium audio, OTA updates - you name it.

Smart features include:

• Voice-activated cabin control
• Cloud- connected navigation
• Smart driving assist from Huawei

Big Power, Small Price (Compared to U.S. Rivals)

Now here is where it gets really interesting: the base price in China is ¥329,900 which is about $46,000. That is half of what a similarly equipped Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk or Rivian R1S cost.

And since Dongfeng is making both left-hand and right-hand driving versions, they have clearly designed this for international markets, maybe even the U.S.

Why this could rock the U.S. SUV market:

• Supercar levels of power at Family-SUV prices
• Designed with global markets in mind
• A lot of off-roading telling for those not wanting to spend too much money.

Dongfeng M-Hero M817 Specs

Conclusion

Dongfeng’s M-Hero M817 is an SUV that is the complete opposite of boring—big power, wild styling, a tech-savvy cabin, and affordable pricing. If the M817 makes it to North America, it could cause some serious heartburn for Jeep, Ford, and Rivian. Keep an eye on this one—it’s not just a Chinese SUV; it might become the next global disruptor.

Source(Image / Thumbnail): carscoops