Chinese Mengshi achieved a historic summit meeting at the pinnacle of challenges. On November 27, the remarkable Mengshi 917 conquered the summit of the world’s highest sand peak in the Kumukuli Desert, shattering records by reaching an unprecedented altitude of 4,772 meters. This remarkable feat not only secured a place in history for the Mengshi 917 but also marked a groundbreaking achievement as the first mass-produced vehicle worldwide to ascend the towering sand peak.
From the initial thrust, the daring ascent, conquering every rise—when the triumphant declaration of “Smooth landing, safe people and cars” echoed from the distant end of the sand peak, the Mengshi 917 had triumphantly overcome the world’s highest sand peak. Following meticulous on-site measurements, the final elevation of the Mengshi 917’s triumph stood at an awe-inspiring 4,772 meters. A new world record was etched into history, a record proudly held by the Mengshi 917 and, by extension, Chinese automotive prowess.
This summit victory not only established a milestone for the Mengshi 917 but also marked the first-ever achievement by a globally mass-produced vehicle, a new energy vehicle, or an electric off-road vehicle to conquer such heights. This success adds another illustrious chapter to the Mengshi 917‘s legacy, following its pioneering foray into the Tengger Desert, conquering the Bilutu Peak with a continuous straight drive, and mastering the reverse crossing of the Kriya Ancient Trail.
A Record is Set: Mengshi 917 Ascends the World’s Highest Sand Peak
Undeterred by the unsuitable winter conditions, where breathing becomes a challenge in the high desert, the Mengshi 917 faced the added difficulty of navigating icy and snow-covered terrain. The low-temperature frozen water had transformed into an unyielding layer of ice, covering the desert surface. After the wind swept through, the terrain was reshaped with a precarious mix of ice and sand. Traction was poor, and vehicle tires risked slipping, creating exceptionally challenging and perilous driving conditions.
Spanning in a long and narrow stretch from northwest to southeast, the Kumukuli Desert, as the world’s highest desert, is aptly dubbed the “mysterious plateau secret realm.” Its breathtaking landscapes coexist with desolate ravines, gravel-strewn Gobi, barren deserts, and perennially frozen icebergs and snow peaks, posing formidable challenges for intrepid explorers, let alone vehicular traversal.
Embodying the ethos of “Fearless and Conquering,” two Mengshi 917 extended-range versions, accompanied by a dedicated support team, embarked on a journey from Huatugou. Covering approximately 200 kilometers of Gobi, 60 kilometers of desert, and various mixed terrains, they reached a campsite situated over 10 kilometers from the highest sand peak. Powering the temporary campsite—comprising four tents, a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a storage workshop—were the 2 Mengshi 917 units with a 6kW external discharge capacity. Despite nighttime temperatures plummeting below minus 20 degrees outside the tents, the interior maintained a comfortable 15 degrees.
Navigating through changing terrains, escalating altitudes, and enduring low oxygen and extreme cold presented taxing challenges for both the mengshi and their vehicles. As the ascent continued, the Mengshi 917 often had to navigate turns, overcoming challenges posed by sand, frozen sand, and shifting sands. The tires’ adherence was minimal, making each step upwards a daunting task for both man and machine.
After two days of traversing the desert, the convoy finally reached the highest sand peak. On-site measurements revealed a slope exceeding 100%, with nearly 100 meters of vertical height difference between the peak’s highest point and the safety platforms on either side of the slope. Carelessness could spell danger. However, leveraging the Mengshi 917’s robust power, exceptional full-time four-wheel-drive system, precise torque control strategy, and the expertise of Dakar driver and desert off-road racer “Desert Prince” Hu Hongde, the summit was conquered. A new record was born, marking the Mengshi 917 as the first mass-produced car to ascend the world’s highest sand peak.
Cutting-Edge Technology: Mengshi 917’s Confidence in Conquering Challenges
The Mengshi 917, the pioneering model of the Mengshi intelligent off-road architecture M TECH, seamlessly integrates Mengshi military vehicle off-road technology with intelligent electric technology. Boasting a super platform, potent power, and exceptional off-road capabilities, the Mengshi 917 has surpassed the limits of hardcore off-road capabilities.
Swift across the sand, deliberate on the water—maintaining traction is imperative for desert cross-country navigation. The Mengshi 917 adopts an innovatively developed central virtual differential lock, enabling off-road full-time four-wheel-drive control. This system intelligently estimates the optimal grip and adjusts the movement pace of the front and rear axles in real-time. The powerful IBC-by-wire hydraulic brake delivers efficient electronic limited slip. The enhanced R-EPS steering design ensures ample steering assist performance even in 100% downhill slope scenarios.
The 150mm travel air suspension adjustment enhances the vehicle’s passability, while CDC continuous damping adjustable shock absorbers swiftly control excessive body movements on uneven terrain, allowing the Mengshi 917 to maintain a steady rhythm during desert climbs.
Crucially, the Mengshi 917 is meticulously prepared to confront challenging terrains. Employing the sand mode within the Mengshi All-Terrain System M ATS, the Warrior 917 adjusts its acceleration characteristics to be more positive and linear. The accelerator pedal offers precise control over the desert driving speed.
Driving in the desert poses unique challenges, with substantial lateral resistance making steering more difficult and diminishing the vehicle’s agility. The Mengshi 917 addresses this with advanced rear-wheel steer-by-wire technology, achieving the world’s largest steering angle of 10.6 degrees. This provides a minimum turning radius of 5.1 meters, enhancing the vehicle’s agility in crossing scenarios while preventing fatigue and reducing the steering system’s load.
The Mengshi 917 features zero-delay torque response adjustment, a scene-oriented torque distribution strategy, a highly sensitive central virtual differential lock, enhanced three-electric and thermal management performance, and innovative features such as the “Super Crab Walk” function, exclusive to the sand mode. These advancements effectively reduce the vehicle’s transient yaw, minimizing the risk of rollover and enabling the Mengshi 917 to ascend the sand sea with confidence.
Building on previous achievements—directly descending into the Tengger Desert sinkhole, scaling the Bilutu Peak with continuous climbs, and pioneering the Kriya Ancient Trail—the Mengshi 917 has solidified its irreplaceable position as a pioneer in China’s electric off-road domain. These groundbreaking accomplishments challenge traditional off-road perceptions. Scaling the world’s highest desert peak sets a new standard for visible electric off-road capabilities and record-breaking achievements, elevating the bar for desert off-road climbing challenges to unprecedented heights.
editor