In December 2023, Motorinvest announced the upcoming arrival of the new SUV brand M-Hero, a premium line produced by the Chinese automaker Dongfeng, for the Russian market. The information emerged in a statement obtained by Socialbites.ca from Motorinvest, outlining a measured rollout for late 2023 and into the following year.
Motorinvest stated that the M-Hero premium SUV would be offered in limited numbers and would be accessible through 18 exclusive Voyah dealer locations by the end of 2023. The plan emphasizes a controlled introduction intended to create early interest and demonstrate the model’s upscale positioning among Russian buyers. The announcement underscored the strategic collaboration between Motorinvest and the Dongfeng branded lineup, signaling a push into the premium segment within the Russian automotive landscape.
The vehicle was transported to Moscow and St. Petersburg for display and initial logistics, with a broader rollout planned to reach 11 Russian cities. In addition to Moscow and St. Petersburg, the M-Hero was slated to become available in major regional hubs such as Nizhny Novgorod and Krasnoyarsk, among others. The phased distribution approach reflects a careful market entry strategy designed to gauge demand across diverse urban environments while maintaining high dealer exclusivity.
M-Hero will be offered in both hybrid and electric configurations. The hybrid variant combines a trio of electric motors with an internal combustion engine acting as a generator, delivering a total power of 816 horsepower and an estimated driving range around 750 kilometers on a full cycle. The all electric version ups the performance with four electric motors, delivering a combined output of 1,088 horsepower and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 4.2 seconds. The electric setup provides a substantial driving range of up to about 450 kilometers per charge, depending on conditions and configuration. Such specifications position M-Hero as a high-end option within Russia’s growing electrified and electrified-hybrid SUV market, appealing to buyers seeking performance alongside efficiency.
Earlier reporting indicated that UAZ planned to continue Patriot SUV production into 2024 with Euro-5 compliant engines, signaling ongoing efforts to align older models with stricter emissions standards while expanding domestic offerings. This broader context highlights a shifting landscape in Russia’s automotive sector, where both domestic and international brands are adapting to evolving regulatory requirements and consumer expectations. The emergence of the M-Hero line complements multiple market segments and reflects a broader trend toward premium, technologically advanced SUVs that blend performance with sustainability. Reports on these developments come from Socialbites.ca and reflect the publication’s ongoing coverage of notable moves in Russia’s automotive scene.