Dongfeng has launched the M-Hero X700 in China, bringing a more affordable SUV to a brand previously known for expensive, body-on-frame off-road vehicles.
The five-seat X700 is M-Hero’s first unibody model, offered with range-extender and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Four variants went on sale on Oct 25, priced from 219,800 yuan (RM134,500) to 279,800 yuan (RM171,200).
Buyers who place and lock their orders by Nov 30 qualify for a 10,000-yuan (RM6,100) discount, bringing the entry price to 209,800 yuan (RM128,400).
The rear-wheel-drive Pro uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine as a generator, paired with a 215kW rear electric motor.
The three all-wheel-drive variants have a 1.5-litre turbocharged plug-in hybrid system producing a combined 518kW and 940Nm. Dongfeng quotes a 0-100kph time of 4.93 seconds.
CATL supplies the batteries. The Pro has a 51.46kWh pack delivering 325km of CLTC electric range, while the Max and Max+ use the same capacity but offer 285km.
The Ultra gets a 68.1kWh battery and 800V electrical architecture, with 360km of CLTC electric range and a claimed combined range of 1,312km.
The X700 is the first model developed under M-Hero’s Huawei Qiankun strategic cooperation 2.0, incorporating ADS 5 driver assistance and HarmonySpace 6 cockpit technology.
The Max+ adds an 896-line LiDAR sensor and dual 15.6-inch displays.
Off-road equipment varies by variant.
The Max adds dual-motor all-wheel drive, an electronic e-lock, a rear mechanical differential lock and terrain modes. The Ultra is the only variant with dual-chamber air springs, bringing 150mm of height adjustment and, with it, the 328.8mm maximum ground clearance figure.
Dongfeng said more than 72% of initial pre-order customers selected the Ultra.
Measuring 5,035mm long with a 2,920mm wheelbase, the X700 entered production on Oct 10 at Dongfeng’s Xiangyang plant in Hubei province.
The plant forms part of a 10.6 billion yuan (RM6.49 billion) manufacturing project involving 80 industrial upgrades. The first customer deliveries took place at the launch.
Dongfeng has already introduced the M-Hero brand to Malaysian audiences, displaying the larger M-Hero II at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show in June.
The company is expanding its local model range and dealer network, although it has not announced plans to introduce the X700 in Malaysia.
