The original Humvee (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) military truck developed by AM General was launched in 1984 with the civilian version produced between 1992 and 2006 in a total of 11,818 units. While many years have passed since its demise, you will be surprised to know that a distant cousin of the Hummer just entered production in China!
We are talking about the Dongfeng Warrior M50, which is the long-awaited civilian version of the Humvee-based Dongfeng Mengshi EQ2050 military truck.
It all started in the ’90s when state-owned Dongfeng reverse-engineered the Humvee to build vehicles for the Chinese army. The company reached an agreement with AM General sourcing parts for the production of their own version of the Hummer, but it gradually managed to build everything in-house.
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Fast forward to 2021 and after several civilian examples of the Mengshi have been spotted driving around in China – probably acquired through special deals done under the table since it is not officially on sale – the company announced the brand new Warrior M50.
The Chinese Hummer is based on a body-on-frame architecture with huge all-terrain tires and angular bodywork reminiscent of the original. The redesigned featuring Dongfeng’s grille and recessed round headlights does its best to differentiate it from its American sibling, but the overall shape remains instantly recognizable. The Warrior M50 is available in either bare-chassis or pickup variants but we wouldn’t be surprised if a roomier wagon bodystyle would follow.
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Inside the two-seater cabin, there is the usual ultra-wide center tunnel found in all Hummers, however, the similarities end there. The dashboard incorporates an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on the center console which is inclined towards the driver. Silver trim on the modern instrument cluster, the round climate vents, and the four-spoke multi-function steering wheel makes it look more like a civilized SUV.
Having said that, the road manners of this beast are nowhere close to modern standards of comfort and driving dynamics, due to its immense weight and the characteristics of this ancient body-on-frame platform. Under the bonnet, there is a turbodiesel Cummings 4.0-liter engine producing 200 hp (149 kW / 203 PS) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque.
Power is sent to all four wheels through a six-speed manual transmission with all the extra stuff you need in order to conquer any type of difficult terrain. The almost non-existence overhangs allow for an impressive 70-degree approach angle and a 45-degree departure angle, combined with a huge ground clearance of 16.1 inches (409 mm).
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As reported by Car News China, and the The Drive, Dongfeng Warrior M50 is available to order with prices starting at ¥668,800 which translates to $103,529. This is definitely not cheap for a pickup, but it gives you access to military technology, off-road credentials, bragging rights, and an unbeatable on-road presence.
