600 kW Dongfeng M-Hero Confirmed For SA – Here’s When It’s Coming

With big plans to shake up the local off-road SUV segment, Dongfeng has confirmed to CAR Magazine the M-Hero is en route to South Africa.

Dongfeng M-Hero front

Image: Dongfeng

In our A-Z of Chinese Brands in SA feature, we detailed all the Chinese automakers currently trading in South Africa and, notably, those that have announced their plans to set up shop in our market in the future. Dongfeng, who announced its entry into our market’s passenger-car segment in 2024, along with unveiling its Box compact EV, was one of the carmakers featured in the write-up, and 2026 looks to be a big year for this Wuhan-based company.

Dongfeng South Africa, whose first and main showroom is Dongfeng Pretoria, will introduce several new models to our market in the coming 12 months, and this includes the car you see here. Dubbed M-Hero, Dongfeng has confirmed to CAR Magazine that this SUV is penned in for our market.

Dongfeng M-Hero SA Launch Date

The Dongfeng M-Hero will launch in SA in 2026. While an all-electric version is available overseas, the model destined for our shores will be the plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

Dongfeng M-Hero rear

Image: Dongfeng

The M-Hero’s PHEV arrangement comprises a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbopetrol internal combustion engine (ICE) and three electric motors – a single unit sited on the front axle with two at the rear – fed by a 65 kWh ternary lithium battery pack. From what we understand, the ICE unit essentially acts as a generator for the e-motors.

Now, as you may have noticed in the headline, the system produces an eye-widening combined power output – 600 kW! A jaw-dropping figure indeed. But wait until you read the next line. The M-Hero is endowed with a tyre-shredding 1 050 N.m, dispatched to the road via an all-wheel drivetrain.

According to the brand, these staggering outputs allow the 3.1-tonne SUV to complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in six seconds. The combined WLTP operating range is a claimed 834 km.

Measuring 4 987 mm in length (5 096 mm with the tailgate-mounted storage box) and 2 080 mm in width, the M-Hero is, for comparison, similar in size to the Land Rover Defender 110, and both longer and wider than the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 and confirmed-for-SA Denza B5. The M-Hero’s wheelbase spans 2 950 mm.

The Dongfeng is equipped with front and rear independent double-arm AeroRide air suspension, which allows the ground clearance to be increased from 221 mm to 326 mm for tackling off-road obstacles. In the standard ride-hight setting, the approach and departure angles are 31 degrees. However, in its tallest position, the former and latter increases to 36.8 and 37.5 degrees, respectively. The water-fording depth is rated at 900 mm.

Dongfeng M-Hero interior

Image: Dongfeng

Although the exterior looks decidedly military-like, the interior is an opulent affair. To name but a few items, the five-seater SUV’s cabin plays host to 12.3-inch digital instrumentation, 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment, a 12.3-inch front passenger display, and a head-up display. A 16-speaker audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and dual-zone climate control are also present.

The seats are upholstered in Nappa leather, with the driver and front passenger pews featuring 16- and 14-way electric adjustment, respectively. Both the front and rear seats offer heating and cooling functionality.

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The post 600 kW Dongfeng M-Hero Confirmed For SA – Here’s When It’s Coming appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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