Speaking with CarAdvice today, a Great Wall spokesperson said the company thinks “the Australian market is ready” for a fully-electric dual-cab ute.
But it’s the car you see here that’ll have dual-cab rivals worried, with a tough new look and what sound like (on paper at least) some serious off-road credentials.
According to HAVAL, the “GWM 4×4 pickup” will come standard with a winch, snorkel and three-way differential lock as standard. It’ll have a seven-setting off-road mode selector system, and 900mm wading ability as well.
Under the skin is a variation of the platform being developed for the next-generation H9 SUV, designed to deliver “greater comfort and refinement while ensuring superior 4WD and load-carrying abilities” than currently offered.
Exactly what powers it hasn’t been confirmed. We understand the engine will be a version of the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit briefly used in the H9 before being shelved, meaning we can expect outputs of at least 140kW/440Nm.
We’re expecting a 3000kg braked towing capacity, at minimum. There’s also been talk of a hybrid model, although it’s not confirmed, and we have little information on prospective outputs.
Great Wall has previously confessed to chasing the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux with the new ute, which will be built at a billion-dollar facility in Yangchuan alongside a refreshed H9 SUV.
The new ute will be revealed at the Shanghai motor show later this month.
