CHINESE car-maker GWM (beforehand Nice Wall Motors) is significantly contemplating a line of off-road succesful SUVs to fall beneath a brand new model identify as early as subsequent yr, according to speedy enlargement of its product vary and seller community.
In beefing up its picture, GWM will launch a retro-styled SUV known as Large Canine beneath the Haval model in Australia early subsequent yr as a precursor to a proposed line of extra heavy-duty fashions now into consideration for export by China.
Nevertheless, a alternative is but to emerge for the seven-seat Haval H9 off-roader that’s nearing the top of its lifecycle.
Large Canine, a monocoque five-seater based mostly on the Haval H6 platform, will give clients a styling choice to the H6 and enchantment to consumers wanting a bit extra off-bitumen capability. GWM has not introduced pricing or ultimate specs for this car.
GWM mentioned the Large Canine has the H6’s monocoque physique design with a 2738mm wheelbase and a size of 4620mm, in contrast with the Toyota RAV4 at 2690mm and 4600mm respectively.
Large Canine comes with a 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre engine in China, however more likely to have the 155kW/325Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit right here, along with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive, loaded with digital aids to enhance its off-road prowess.
Whereas the Large Canine is all however confirmed, GWM is now crunching the numbers in China on the Tank mannequin vary.
Tank, first proven late final yr as an idea beneath the Wey Tank identify, will turn out to be the third model identify beneath the GWM umbrella and sit alongside SUV-maker Haval and the utes of GWM.
Primarily based on a shortened ladder-frame chassis of the GWM ute, the Tank is offered in China throughout three fashions known as 300, 700 and 800.
It has been via a complete focus group clinic in Australia to gauge the opinions of potential consumers.
GWM head of promoting and communications Steve Maciver mentioned the outcomes of the panel had been “fairly constructive”.
However he admits there’s nonetheless a solution to go to cement a case and believes that the Tank vary – that are at the moment solely out there in left-hand drive though engineered to go well with right-hand-drive markets – could also be greater than a yr away.
Mr Maciver mentioned one consideration was the place of the Tank 300 within the GWM-Haval line-up and potential points with including an extra mannequin that will confuse consumers.
The Tank 300 and 700 are considerably larger than the Large Canine. The 300 is 4760mm lengthy and sits on a 2750mm wheelbase, in contrast with the Toyota Prado at 4995mm and 2790mm respectively.
GWM is on report as saying home demand in China for the 300 is affecting potential exports, with 5000 orders acquired inside three hours when the SUV opened for pre-sale on April 19.
The corporate has now boosted manufacturing capability however the ready listing continues to be six months. The 300 now instructions a 50 per cent share of the Chinese language off-road SUV section.
Tank 300 has a 167kW/387Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine mated to a nine-speed ZF transmission driving via a part-time 4WD system that features low-range, creep mode and three differential locks.
Australia could have the choice of a 135kW/480Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel with the nine-speed auto.
The more durable Prado-size SUV generally known as the 700 relies on the 300 however with a bigger physique and a 260kW/500Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo petrol.
GWM was requested if the 700 might fill the void created by the wind-down of the seven-seat Haval H9 however Mr Maciver mentioned the 700 had 5 seats and, as but, there was no alternative confirmed for the H9.
The China-only Tank 800 has a variant of the 700’s engine with an electrical motor within the transmission to create a hybrid that’s claimed to ship a mixed 385kW and 750Nm.
With styling and luxurious options moulded on the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, the Tank 800 was displayed on the Shanghai motor present in April this yr however is an unlikely contender for the Australian market.
