Differences Between Civilian Version and Military Version of Dongfeng Mengshi
2022/02/10
News Detail
Dongfeng Mengshi is a four-wheel drive high-mobility off-road vehicle specially built for the Chinese military, mainly used for troop training and field operations. Thanks to its imposing appearance and excellent performance, it has always attracted widespread attention. However, the "military-only" label made it unreachable for the general public. Just like a "limited edition product", the more inaccessible something is, the more desirable it becomes — and that’s how the civilian version of Dongfeng Mengshi came to be.
Before the launch of this civilian model, it was commonly known as the "M50", while its official model designation is "EQ2063".
Naturally, the civilian version differs from its military counterpart, with certain military-specific facilities removed.
The front fascia has seen the most significant changes. The split two-piece windshield has been replaced with a single-piece unit. This adjustment is likely made because most people are used to driving private vehicles, and a center divider would obstruct the view. While the center gap is actually not very wide and drivers get used to it quickly, this detail reflects Dongfeng’s designers’ careful consideration for civilian users.
The lighting system has also been optimized. Although the illumination performance remains fully functional, the headlights are slightly smaller, giving the vehicle a less aggressive look. It’s like the difference between large round eyes and small bean eyes. Additionally, some military-specific lights such as blackout lights are omitted as they are unnecessary for civilian use.
Another notable change is the removal of the front bumper bar, which gives the front end a slightly incomplete look to those familiar with the military version, losing some of its armored toughness.
Having covered the exterior, let’s move on to practicality. This vehicle is sold as a bare chassis, which needs to be modified into a complete vehicle before use. Its powertrain is equipped with a 195-horsepower four-cylinder diesel engine (this is a diesel engine, no need to refuel with gasoline — it is essentially a 4.0T engine), which is more than sufficient for civilian use and delivers ample power.
Looking at the rear modification space: the measured length is approximately 2500mm, which can be slightly extended during actual modifications. This is excellent for a vehicle of this size, making it an ideal choice for most people to convert into a pickup truck or van. While the military version of Mengshi typically has a wheelbase of 3300mm, the civilian version’s wheelbase has been extended to 3800mm to better facilitate modifications, giving designers more room to work with — a great improvement for civilian users.
In terms of off-road capability, the civilian version has been adapted for everyday use. Besides the aforementioned 4.0T engine, the vehicle’s speed has been increased compared to the military version, while its extreme mobility has been slightly reduced (which is unnecessary for daily use). Even so, it still outperforms most civilian vehicles on the market. With a ground clearance of 380mm, vertical climbing height of 400mm, wading depth of 750mm, and climbing grade identical to the military version, very few vehicles in this class on the market can match these performance specifications.
As for the interior, the key word is "spacious". With an exterior width of 2310mm, the driver’s cabin feels roomy and comfortable.
While driving experience can only be fully assessed behind the wheel, the spacious interior inspires confidence, promising a comfortable ride.
