Dongfeng’s M-Hero and Voyah brands coming to South Africa

Dongfeng, a Chinese automotive manufacturer, has announced that its M-Hero and Voyah sub-brands will enter the South African market in December. The M-Hero brand, which focuses on hardcore off-road vehicles, will initially launch with a single model, the M817. The M817 boasts an impressive set of features, including a body-on-frame platform, locking differentials, a crawl function, dual-chamber adaptive air suspension, rear-wheel steering, and a 360-degree turn function called M-Hero turn.

It offers seven off-road modes, including auto, wading, rock, sand, deep snow, light snow, and more. The M817 comes with a range of standard and optional features, such as heated windscreen washer nozzles, electrically retractable side-steps, ambient lighting, and a 12- or 18-speaker sound system. The vehicle is available in two powertrain options: a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 31.7-kWh battery pack or a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with either a 51.9-kWh or 62.5-kWh battery.

In China, the M817 has been equipped with a 222mm ground clearance, which rises to 333mm in its off-road mode, and a claimed wading depth of 700mm, which increases to 900mm with the air suspension set to its highest setting. The Voyah brand, founded in 2019, will enter the South African market with its Dream MPV, which competes with vehicles like the Kia Carnival, GAC M8, and Mercedes-Benz V-Class.

The Dream offers seating for seven in a 2-2-3 layout and can be configured as either an electric or plug-in hybrid model. The vehicle features an ESSA or Electric Smart Secure Architecture platform, a 20-inch alloy wheel setup, tri-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, Alcantara-trimmed seats, and a range of advanced safety and driver assistance systems.

The Dream is expected to be priced competitively in South Africa, pending final details to be announced in December.