Dongfeng unveiled its so-called “Hummer EV Replica” with its own impressive powertrain with four electric motors and a club walk.
The electric car industry has already caused some problems with Chinese imitations and at least some copies of key parts of the design.
The GMC Hummer EV could be the next electric vehicle for Chinese copycats.
Dongfeng, a major state-owned automaker, has unveiled a new electric vehicle under the Mengshi brand. Many have pointed out that it is clearly inspired by the Hummer EV. The design is somewhat similar, but the same can be said for the large, boxy SUVs. Interestingly, Dongfeng had previously acquired the rights to build a Chinese military vehicle based on the original Humvee.
Given that the Hummer is the consumer version of the Humvee, it’s definitely relevant when it comes to design inspiration.
However, it’s the specs and features, not the design, that are accused of being a “Chinese Hummer EV clone.”
Dongfeng released a video showing an electric car named Mengshi M-Terrain doing a “crab walk”. As for the powertrain, it is reportedly very similar to the Hummer EV.
Unlike his three electric motors on the Hummer EV, the Mengshi M-Terrain can be fitted with up to four motors, delivering a similar total power output to his mighty 1,073-horsepower Hummer EV. It can carry a battery pack of up to 140 kWh for a range of about 500 km (310 miles).
The current version of the Hummer EV currently on sale has a 200kWh battery and a range of 329 miles, but weighs 9,000 pounds instead of 6,000, which is significantly heavier than the Chinese model.
Like the Hummer EV, Dongfeng has also hinted that the Mengsei M Terrain will come in both his SUV and pickup truck formats.
Price
It is expected to enter the Chinese market next year. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s expected to be well below the Hummer EV’s current starting price of $112,595. M-Terrain does not share a platform with the M50 Fearless. The latter is based on the original Humvee’s ladder frame chassis.
Like the 2023 GMC Hummer pickup, the M-Terrain uses a standard skateboard design and places the battery as low as possible. But that’s where the similarities end and M-Terrain starts moving forward. Yes, this Chinese knockoff may be better than the real thing. The top-of-the-range Hummer has a three-motor setup that produces 1,000 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque.
Dongfeng has opted for a quad motor setup that produces 1,073 horsepower. As impressive as it is, getting hooked on Hummer probably wasn’t the primary goal. Giving each wheel an independent power source opens up a world of possibilities.
For now, the M-Terrain is just a concept car, but the Chinese company claims he will start production in 2023. Dongfeng has a pretty impressive resume, so we’re not against it.
In China, he is the fourth largest state-owned automaker and has historically partnered with prominent manufacturers such as Honda, Volvo, Peugeot, Citroen, Kia and Renault. The most notable partnership was with Nissan, which led to the Dongfeng Rich 6 EV.
It’s notable because it was the first modern EV pickup to beat the Rivian by as much as two years.
M-Terrain is unlikely to be sold in the US. This is not just because the manufacturer has never exported a car to the US before. I can’t imagine anyone driving a car with the word “Don” in their name.
