By Amanda Mfuphi

Over a year ago, in September of 2019, Great Wall Motor Corporation (GWM) launched its bakkie – the GWM P Series – to the Chinese market and it enjoyed much success selling a retail sales volume of 5,020 units in its first month and instantly ranking first among domestic high-end pickups above 100,000 yuan. Unfortunately, at the time, the South African market was not due to get the GWM P Series bakkie. After enjoying much domestic success and fast-forward to the 2020 Beijing Auto show, Haval Motors South Africa (HMSA) has announced that the new GWM bakkie will also make its way to South Africa as soon as November 2020!

Exterior

The new GWM bakkie has new badging, only the tailgate and other accents bear the GWM logo. On the grill of the new bakkie, there is a prominent badge that has the shape of a ‘P’. HMSA indicates that the design of the logo “P” is inspired by the power of heaven and earth. The new bakkie also receives a new name for the international market. The official name of the new GWM bakkie as announced at the Beijing Auto show is POER (pronounced as “power”) which will be used in international markets. GWM indicates that POER is also an acronym for the core conceptual features of the new bakkie being “powerful, off-road, enjoyable and reliable”. However, in South Africa, for obvious reasons, the new bakkie will be launched and known as the GWM P Series bakkie.

Interior

Inside, the cabin is spacious and features full leather interiors, including the doors. The load bin features a hidden step ladder in the tailgate making loading and unloading a breeze. In terms of technology, the P Series offers features such as personalised intelligent interconnectivity, voice-controlled entertainment, self-adaptive cruise control and smart cruise control support, multi-function seats, rear self-tensioning seatbelts in the double cab. The window and windscreen of the P Series  are equipped with modern technology applied through the application of 98% ultraviolet filtration through the glass areas. Keyless entry comes as standard in the new P Series bakkie.

The P Series bakkie also offers safety features such as Lane-keeping (change) assistance, TSR (traffic sign recognition), blind spot monitoring, front armoured double layer steel beams for strength and rigidity, front and rear PDC with rear camera on double cab derivatives and up to seven airbags.

Engine

The P Series will be available in 16 derivatives in South Africa and SADC countries ranging from Single Cab base model 4X2 turbo diesel and 4×4 manual transmissions right up the spectrum to Double Cab 4X2 turbo diesel manual and automatic transmissions to 4X4 turbo diesel manual and automatic transmission versions.

The new P Series is powered by a new 2.0-litre TD engine that will be paired with an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox or a six-speed manual transmission. 4X4 models feature ESP intelligent 2 speed TOD (torque on demand) 4-wheel drive systems and diff locks as standard.

HMSA indicates that the South African launch event for the P Series will be in November 2020. Local pricing has not been announced yet, but we anticipate that pricing will be unveiled at the launch.