Two new Chinese cars launch in South Africa

GWM is launching two new vehicles – the P500 Double-Cab bakkie and the Tank 500 SUV.

The new products are part of GWM’s rapidly expanding portfolio, including the Tank 300, ORA fully electric models, H6 HEV, and the Jolion SUV PRO.

The Chinese brand’s new bakkie comes in a full Petrol Electric Hybrid model with a 325-volt electric motor.

The P500 will also be offered in a 2.4l Turbo Diesel model.

“The P500 bakkie is arguably the most well-equipped bakkie on the market. As a brand, we take full advantage of China’s position as a leader in technological innovation in the automotive industry,” said Kevin Li, GWM South Africa’s Managing Director.

“With the P500, GWM also demonstrates the company’s innovative approach to design and engineering in what is usually a humdrum segment of the automotive sector. The P500 is a thrilling driver’s vehicle with rugged capabilities on and off-road.”

The HEV version features a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Hybrid’s intelligent hybrid drive system uses a 78kW (268Nm) electric motor and a 2-litre 180kW (380Nm) petrol engine for a combined output of 255kW of power and a 648Nm of torque. The combined fuel consumption is 9.8l/100km.

The more traditional 2.4L Turbo Diesel with a power output of 135kW and 480Nm of torque, with a claimed fuel consumption of 8.6l/100km.

The car has a 360-view camera, an anti-collision radar, roof rails, a panoramic sunroof with tilt and slide function, a Head-Up Display, a multi-media infotainment screen, and a 10-speaker Harman Infinity™ audio system.

In terms of safety features, the vehicle has Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, a Driver Fatigue Monitoring System, a cross-traffic alert, and smart dodge (automatic emergency lane change).

The vehicle also has seven airbags, including a central airbag that stops the passenger and driver from colliding in the event of an accident.

The model lineup consists of three models:

• the GWM P500 2.4T 9AT 4X4 Luxury at R799 900,
• the GWM P500 2.4T 9AT 4X4 Super Luxury at R889 900 and
• the GWM P500 2.0T HEV 9HAT 4X4 Ultra Luxury at R999 900.

The P500 range also comes with the following benefits:

• 5-Year/ 75 000 km Service Plan
• 7-Year / 200,000 km Warranty,
• 5-Year unlimited km Body & Paint Warranty,
• 8-Year / 150,000km High Voltage Warranty (HEV)
• 7-Year, unlimited km Roadside Assist plan.

Tank 500

The new Tank 500 is fitted exclusively with the hybrid-electric (HEV) powertrain, which features a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine assisted by an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery.

Like the P500 Double-Cab bakkie, the Tank 500 provides a combined output of 255kW and 648Nm.

The SUV achieves an average fuel consumption of around 8.4l/100km.

The vehicle has light-sensing LED headlights and daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers, a heads-up display, and a 14.6-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 4×4 Ultra Luxury Tank 500 starts at R1,222,900.

It also comes with the following:

• 7 Year / 200 000 km Warranty,
• 8 Year / 150 000 km High-Voltage Battery Pack Warranty,
• 7 Year / Unlimited km Roadside Assistance plan,
• 5 Year / 75 000 km Service Plan.

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