Military-Inspired, M-hero 917 Electric SUV debuts in Nigeria

It was exciting last Thursday in Nigeria’s automotive history when a
locally assembled M-Hero 917 military-inspired
SUV was launched.

Assembled in Lagos, Nigeria, the hardy styled SUV is uniquely equipped with an All-terrain Intelligence System (M-ATS), which optimizes its performance across various terrains.

An ultra-luxury, high-end, fully Electric SUV, the M-Hero 917 is what a European test-driver described as an absolute beast and the ultimate apocalyptic survival vehicle, capable of taking on the toughest off-road challenges you can imagine. Another test driver described it as an Off Road king.

In addition to climbing power of 100% slope and drive mode for snow, mud, sand, rock and wading terrains, the SUV, which is equipped with rear wheel steering, creeping mode and crab walk mode, is talented with Ground Clearance of up to 333mm with an adjustable ride height of plus 105mm for extreme terrains.

Equipped with front, side and curtain airbags, the West African launch M-Hero 917 comes with Hill Assist+Descent Control, Lane Assist and lane departure warning, Auto Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning as well AS 360 degree camera with blind spot and cross traffic alerts.

With pomp and pageantry on Thursday night at Alliance Francais, Ikoyi, the M-Hero 917’s West African launch attracted dignitaries, NADDC representatives, auto industry stakeholders and the motoring press.

Unveiled by His Royal Majesty Oba Mudashiru Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Iranodu of Imota, Lagos, where company’s assembly plant is located, the vehicle was a sight to behold with its imposing military design and technology that can even accommodate a drone.

Speaking during the launch, the company’s Chairman/CEO, Dr. Samuel Faleye described the event as a celebration of vision realized.

“A vision born out of the belief that Africa, particularly Nigeria can lead the global transition to clean, smart, and sustainable transportation,” he affirmed, adding, “SAGLEV is proud to be West Africa’s first and only dedicated electric vehicle(EV) manufacturer located in Nigeria.

“From compact EVs for ride-hailing to luxury models to commercial pickups, mid-sized sedans, buses and cargo vans,” he explained, “we have developed and now assemble 16 models across five distinct business lines: Ride-Hailing and eMobility Services, Corporate & Commercial Fleets, Logistics & Last-Mile Delivery, Mass Transit- BRT Buses & Mini EV Buses and Private EV Buyers- from entry level to premium. Every single EV we produce is a testament to the innovation, resilience and excellence of Nigerian and African engineering.

According to Dr. Faleye, M-HERO 917, the company’s newest luxury all- electric truck, is the pinnacle of style, performance and green technology.

“It represents a bold statement that African consumers deserve the best,” he stressed, adding, “but this is just the flagship. We have also designed EVs to affordable that they now compete favourably even beat the prices of many petrol cars and even ICE luxury vehicles.

“All our vehicles are assembled in Nigeria, creating jobs for engineers, technicians, logisticians, and young people across our growing value chain. We are proud to support local job creation, technology transfer, import substitution, cleaner air and fewer emissions for our cities.

“Lagos State in particular stands to benefit economically, environmentally, and socially from SAGLEV’s deepening investments and partnerships,” Faleye added

Cherry Cao, representative of Dongfeng, the second largest automotive manufacturer in Asia, during the African launch recalled that the original Dongfeng M Hero military vehicle won China’s National Science and Technology progress award 20 years ago.

“Today,” she explained, “the SAM battlefield DNA has evolved into a premium all-electric global brand allocated to the civilian market. Built on our fully self developed Amtrak intelligent, off road architecture, we have pioneered an entirely new segment that combines luxury electrification and extreme off road capability.

The M Hero 917 is the first production model on this architecture, and the world’s first premium electric off-roaders available, both in pure electric and extended range version and with over 1000 horsepower with ability to hit 100 kilometers per hour in 4.2 seconds.

It delivers risk taking performance, key innovations such as Morris import chassis, mega power electric drive train M-ATS, all terrain intelligence systems and rear wheel steered by wire allowed to move seamlessly from city streets to any terrain, weather scrolling 45 degree rough places, 4090 centimeters of water or powering straight up to 1000 meter heavily fit in the tender desert.

“The M-Hero 917 has accomplished what was once reserved to the world’s most legendary automobiles. Today, therefore, while Americans have Hummer; Germany has the G-class; China has got M-Hero. In a moment or half, Lets delve into the road of M-hero 917 together, beyond mountains and seas, beyond the ordinary beyond imagination.”

On what the government is doing to support SAGLEV, the NADDC Director of Vehicle Education, Engineer Abdulahi Ayinde revealed that the federal government had given SAGLEV zero import and VAT to encourage it to thrive.

“That is what the government has done to encourage people taken position in bringing EVs and charging infrastructure”.

MIKE OCHONMA
EDITOR