- Smart Driving in a Cabin Built for Command
- Aggressive Exterior Design Merges Power with Technology
- Tianyuan Architecture: AI Intelligence for Off Road Driving
- Power Options: Electric Performance Backed by a Range Extender
The Mengshi M817 made a bold entrance at the 2025 Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Auto Show, drawing attention with the official unveiling of its interior for the very first time. This latest off road SUV from Dongfeng marks a major shift in the world of high end 4x4 vehicles, blending a high tech cabin with a cutting edge smart platform developed in collaboration with Huawei. The result is a vehicle that merges rugged, military inspired styling with next generation digital systems, reflecting Mengshi’s ambition to expand into global markets, particularly the GCC, where demand for such off road machines is on the rise.
Smart Driving in a Cabin Built for Command
The M817’s interior signals a new chapter in off road SUV design, bringing together industrial toughness and digital sophistication. A fully digital instrument cluster and a large central screen powered by Huawei’s HarmonyOS highlight the cabin’s commitment to smart connectivity and user friendly control.
Premium materials, including synthetic leather and technical fiber accents, combine with metal trim to create an industrial yet refined atmosphere. The control switches are built to resist vibrations, making them ideal for rough environments such as desert terrain or rocky paths. It is clear that the M817’s cabin goes beyond aesthetics, focusing equally on functionality to meet the needs of drivers who enjoy off grid adventures and long treks across challenging landscapes.
Aggressive Exterior Design Merges Power with Technology
At first glance, the Mengshi M817 stands out as an unconventional SUV in its segment, thanks to a design inspired by the concept of Power Aesthetics 2.0, which blends military presence with modern tech focused styling. The front fascia is dominated by a wide grille featuring an illuminated Mengshi badge, flanked by bold LED headlamps with a design known in China as the Peaceful Weapon, giving the SUV a striking and assertive road presence.
Along the sides, the high ground clearance is immediately noticeable, paired with a flat side storage box and an integrated side ladder for easy access to the roof, enhancing its functionality for tough conditions. The vehicle is offered with two wheel options: standard tires for paved roads and aggressive AT-pattern tires optimized for off road traction.
At the rear, X-shaped taillights known as the Guided Sword design set a bold visual tone, replacing the traditional spare wheel with a compact square cargo box for smarter space utilization. A rugged rear bumper and a high departure angle complete the rear design, ensuring the M817 can handle steep exits and rugged terrain with ease.
Tianyuan Architecture: AI Intelligence for Off Road Driving
The M817 is the first model to utilize Huawei's all new Tianyuan platform, engineered to deliver an unprecedented smart driving experience in the off road vehicle segment. This architecture integrates both cloud and edge computing, enabling the vehicle to process massive data flows and make real time decisions that help it adapt to terrain and surrounding environments.
At the heart of this system is the Huawei Qiankun ADS 4.0, which combines multiple high resolution sensors, cameras, and LiDAR radars to deliver semi autonomous driving capabilities even in rugged conditions. The system can also automatically adjust the driving mode based on the surface type, whether it's sand, mud, or snow, boosting the M817's agility and adaptability across different terrains.
Power Options: Electric Performance Backed by a Range Extender
Although official specifications have not been released, early expectations indicate that the Mengshi M817 will feature an extended range electric powertrain (EREV). This setup will likely include a 1.5 liter turbocharged gasoline engine acting as a generator to charge the vehicle’s battery. The system is expected to be paired with three or four electric motors, distributing power to all four wheels.
Such a configuration could deliver rapid acceleration and outstanding all terrain capabilities, positioning the M817 as a serious contender in the high performance off road category. Additionally, the vehicle will likely include electronically adjustable suspension and driving modes tailored for sand, rock, mud, and snow, giving drivers maximum control under changing conditions.
