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The new Dongfeng Warrior M817 is built for battle, but is it bound for PH?

It’s huge, it’s high-tech, and it looks like it came straight out of a sci-fi movie. The Dongfeng Warrior M817 might just be the wildest EV we’ve seen this year, but is it something we'll ever see on PH roads?

Shaynah Miranda on Apr 24, 2025

The new Dongfeng Warrior M817 is a smart, rugged EV made for all types of roads. Could it come to PH soon?

Quite literally built like a tank, the Warrior M817 is Dongfeng’s newest electric SUV, first shown at Auto Shanghai 2025. It’s based on the earlier Yangwang U8, but now stretched and upgraded. The M817 shows off a big and boxy design with strong lines, a tall stance, and features that look like they’re made for serious outdoor driving.

Related: Will the Nissan Dongfeng Z9 be the next pickup to look out for in the Philippines?

This SUV has a full set of lights that stand out. There are LED light bars at the front and back, a glowing brand logo, and a grille that lights up when the car is on. Dongfeng also added three LiDAR sensors on the roof, which help power the car’s advanced driver-assist system from Huawei, called Qiankun ADS 4.0, which means it can support smart driving features like auto-braking and lane keeping.

Two versions will be available: one for daily city use, and one for off-road trips. The off-road model gets stronger suspension, tires that grip better on rough ground, and extra tools like a floating ladder and storage pack at the rear. It’s also expected to come with a six-seat setup and a longer body, up to 5,600 mm in length.

While exact power specs haven’t been shared yet, the Warrior M817 is likely close to the Yangwang U8. That one runs on a 2.0-liter turbo engine with four electric motors, making a combined 1,180 hp and 1,280 Nm of torque. It goes from zero to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and has a total range of up to 1,000 km, with a 180 km pure electric range.

It’s built on Dongfeng’s "Tianyuan Architecture" and uses Huawei’s smart driving platform. Dongfeng says this SUV can manage and has the strong build quality from Dongfeng’s past military vehicles with the smart features of today’s EVs.

So far, Dongfeng hasn’t confirmed if the Warrior M817 will be sold beyond China. However, with their growing interest in Southeast Asia, it’s not impossible. If it ever gets to the Philippines, it could give car buyers a different electric SUV choice. Until then, see what Dongfeng already offers on AutoDeal.com.ph.