MHERO 1 - the brand and the vehicle
Rotkreuz, April 2024 - MHERO is the premium brand of Mengshi Automobile Technology Company from Wuhan, China. Mengshi is a subsidiary of Dongfeng Motor Corporation (DMC), one of China's oldest and largest automotive groups with more than 176,000 employees and over three million vehicles sold annually. Dongfeng's product portfolio includes commercial vehicles, NEVs, passenger vehicles, engines, auto parts and technical components. DMC operates joint ventures with international brands such as Nissan, Citroën, Peugeot, Honda, Kia and Infiniti. Mengshi was founded by Dongfeng as a technology and innovation driver for luxurious and innovative off-road vehicles. The MHERO 1 is the first vehicle of the Mengshi brand MHERO.
More than 1,000 powerful electric horsepower, luxury comfort and performance – the MHERO 1 is an electrically powered premium off-roader in a self-confident, masculine design that clearly flexes its muscles even when stationary. In Switzerland, the MHERO 1 will be available from April 2024. As the exclusive importer, NOYO AG has taken over the sales and service of the brand. Other European countries are to follow in the course of 2024.
Positioning/price range
Whether steerable rear wheels, a climbing ability of up to 100 percent or a fording depth of 90 centimetres - the MHERO 1 is a fully electric all-wheel-drive off-roader that can be maneuvered with ease even in challenging terrain. Equipped with a luxurious interior that puts many a top SUV in its place, plenty of comfort, extremely generous dimensions and a powerful engine, the MHERO 1 is clearly positioned in the off-road luxury class.
The MHERO 1 is therefore in a highly competitive field and stands out thanks to its powerful electric motor, which pushes forward with up to 1,400 Newton meters of torque in an almost unstoppable yet always controllable manner.
In Switzerland - where the MHERO 1 has been available since April 2024 - the price of the vehicle is CHF 148,990 incl. VAT. An exact sales price for other European countries will be announced when the market launch is announced.
Battery and charging
The 142.7-kWh battery in ternary lithium technology (nickel, manganese, cobalt) gives the MHERO 1 a range of 450 kilometers (WLTP). Depending on the charging infrastructure, the vehicle charges from 30 to 80 percent in 47 minutes with up to 100 kW (DC fast charging). The battery is ceramically insulated and extensively shock-protected by an eight millimeter thick aluminum plate, among other things, for a tough ride through the terrain and an operating range with outside temperatures between
-30 and +55° Celsius.
Motor and performance
The four electric motors with a combined output of up to over 1,000 hp accelerate the MHERO 1 from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and distribute the torque of up to 1,400 Nm to all four driven wheels. The electronically limited top speed is 180 km/h. Thanks to the MHERO All Terrain System (MATS), the power delivery and distribution in Auto mode intelligently adapts to the respective electronically detected surface - such as sand, snow, mud, gravel or driving through deep water. The various surface modes can also be activated manually.
Off-road highlights
With the first electric off-road platform from a Chinese manufacturer, the MHERO 1 sets technical standards across the industry. The off-roader can even drive through deep water of up to 90 centimetres and, thanks to a climbing ability of 45 degrees and a permitted cross slope of 21.8 degrees, can also cope with steep passages. The turning circle is just 5.10 meters thanks to the co-steering rear wheels. At the same time, the co-steering rear wheels allow a so-called crab mode, i.e. lateral movement at an angle, for example when overtaking. The multi-adjustable air suspension ensures comfort and traction as well as a ground clearance of up to 335 millimetres. Various assistance systems, such as automatic underground detection or a system-supported slope descent, offer additional safety.
Lots of comfort in the interior
The innovative and luxurious interior design with extensive comfort features leaves nothing to be desired for drivers and passengers alike. The spacious interior offers plenty of room and legroom. Extras such as a massage function, seat heating and ventilation on all seats, an integrated dashcam, LCD screens in the rear or a 220-volt connection for external consumers are exceptional even in the luxury class and blend elegantly into the particularly high-quality interior with lots of fine wood, satin-finished steel, fine leather and elaborately stitched contrasting seams.
The control units in the center console, the so-called Intelligent Interactive Cockpit, are a real special feature, especially the multifunctional control lever in front of it - with clear design references to the cockpit of a private jet. The haptic switches and buttons made of solid metal also ensure a very harmonious and high-quality overall impression. Everything looks as if it has been cast from a single mold and speaks the clear design language of a luxury-class sedan rather than the usual spartan off-road baritone.
The interior highlights:
- Adjustable multifunction steering wheel with memory function
- Rear-view mirror with live video view and automatic anti-glare function
- 12.3-inch full LCD instrument panel and head-up display, while a 15.6-inch touchscreen in the center offers intuitive controls. The front passenger enjoys their own entertainment on a 12.3-inch screen.
- 64-color ambient lighting
- Intelligent air quality system with high-performance filter, ionizer and fragrance dispenser
- 16-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, 14-way electrically adjustable front passenger seat, 8-way electrically adjustable rear seats
- Front and rear seat comfort: ventilation, heating and massage function
- High-quality hi-fi sound system from Dynaudio
- Wireless smartphone charging option
- 12-volt and 220-volt connections for external consumers
- 452 liters of luggage compartment volume (1,137 liters with the rear seat folded down), additional luggage extension at the rear with 20-liter volume
Exterior, mass and weight
Power, dynamism and an excitingly angular yet elegant design: from every perspective, the MHERO1 embodies a self-confidence that shows its strengths even when stationary. The dominant front of the vehicle, with fenders clearly set off from the hood, looks like a cubist masterpiece chiseled from a solid block of steel. This first impression with many corners and edges is supported by striking air intakes on the hood, the LED headlights with light strips running through them and the jagged front logo, which is reminiscent of a stylized warrior mask and at the same time picks up on the M in the brand name. The side line reinforces this look with various beading and strongly contrasting shadow gaps, visually dividing the body horizontally. The rear design fascinates with its striking vertical tail lights and the widely flared wheel arches, as well as a trunk extension that extends to the rear and skillfully picks up on classic off-road reminiscences.
With an overall length of five meters (4,987 mm), a width of 2,080 mm and a height of just under two meters (1,935 mm), the MHERO 1 already shows "broad shoulders" in the stand design.
The unladen weight is 3,410 kilograms and the permissible gross weight is 3,920 kilograms.
In Switzerland, the MHERO 1 is currently available in three exterior colors: Bolder Black, Mountain Green and Forest Green as well as in the interior colors GraphiteGrey and Canyon Brown.
Discover more on: mhero.ch