China's Hummer-rivalling electric SUV launches in Europe as Dongfeng MHero 1, looks ready to be the next Batmobile

Much like Australia, an influx of Chinese brands is shaking up the market in Europe. This time, China’s Dongfeng is hitting the EU with an electric rival to the GMC Hummer called the MHero 1.

Quick background for you - Dongfeng is one of China’s biggest auto brands and builds a plethora of new cars under its own name and sub-brands, while also being known for building heavy commercial vehicles and military-spec trucks and transports.

Notably, Dongfeng builds versions of the US Army’s Humvee for China’s People's Liberation Army, as well as a civilian version of the Hummer under its Dongfeng Mengshi brand. That’s where the MHero 1 comes in.

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Known in China as the Mengshi M-Terrain or the MHero 917, it’s called the Dongfeng MHero 1 outside its home market. Likely to simplify the branding structure away from the ‘Mengshi’ brand in the case of the former, and avoid a legal clash with Porsche over the ‘917’ name from the German brand’s iconic race car in the case of the latter.

The electric all-wheel drive MHero 1 boasts a four-motor system which outputs a claimed 800kW and 1400Nm, but there’s also a three-motor version with a range-extender engine and a smaller 65.9kWh battery that has a claimed total range of 750km.

China’s Dongfeng is hitting the EU with an electric rival to the GMC Hummer called the MHero 1.

The electric version’s claimed range is just 450km according to Dongfeng, even with its 142.7kWh battery.

It’s not surprising that pulling the MHero 1 around would drain the battery quickly: the thing is 4987mm long, 2080mm wide, 1935mm tall, and has a 2950mm wheelbase. Given it has four motors and an incredibly large battery, its 3293kg kerb weight (in electric guise; 3130kg with the range extender) isn’t a shock.

The MHero 1 is also able to lift itself up with trick suspension that adds about 105mm to its ground clearance, from 230mm in on-road to 335mm in off-road mode.

The MHero 1 is also able to lift itself up with trick suspension that adds about 105mm to its ground clearance, from 230mm in on-road to 335mm in off-road mode. It has rear-wheel steering, a water wading detection system, night vision and even a ‘crab walking’ mode thanks to its four individual motors and rear-wheel steering.

Inside, it’s not all military-tough stuff, with Nappa leather, electrically adjustable heated seats, 16-speaker sound system, air filtering and fragrance systems, and even a rear passenger central screen, limo style.

Inside, it’s not all military-tough stuff, with electrically adjustable heated seats, 16-speaker sound system, air filtering and fragrance systems, and even a rear passenger central screen, limo style.

In China, reports say the electric version started from 697,700 yuan in mid 2023, or about AU$137,120 now, while in Switzerland it kicks off from 145,700 Swiss francs, or about AU$248,400.

Dongfeng has not announced any plans for the Australian market, but if it did we imaging you’d be shelling out plenty to secure an MHero 1.

It has night vision and even a ‘crab walking’ mode thanks to its four individual motors and rear-wheel steering.