No jokes, one-liners, cliches, double entendre’s or other forms of merriment – the new GWM bakkie known international as the Poer is coming to South Africa in November but, for obvious reasons, will NOT carry that name.
It will be known here as the GWM P Series.
It was first unveiled nearly 18 months ago at the Auto Shanghai show and, in September of 2019 the new GWM Pickup was launched to the Chinese market.
The new GWM bakkie has new badging, only the tailgate and other accents bear the GWM logo – the new look being a badge that has the shape of a ‘P’ which, according to the company three core implications, ‘Power’, ‘Peak’ and ‘Perfect’ symbolizing the spiritual connotation of ‘P’.
The GWM P Series bakkie raises the bar for the Chinese manufacturer to a new level of space, comfort, performance, safety, technology and reliability, featuring massive increased interior and exterior dimensions, an all-new 2,0-litre TD engine fitted with Variable Vortex Intake Manifold for more torque and power. The load bin features a hidden step ladder in the tailgate making loading and unloading a breeze.
Even the modern technology applied to the window and windscreen features 98% ultraviolet filtration through glass areas. The cabin features crafted and wrapped full leather interiors, including the doors.
Under the skin the P Series offers 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.
Packed with safety the P-Series offers 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 crash bags.
Driving pleasure and comfort has been a key focus with transmission on the high end models featuring an 8-speed ZF auto gearbox, while interior comfort is guaranteed with a ventilation system that features Particle and Dust filters as well as greatly decreased interior noise levels (as low as 4 decibels).
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.
With varied spec level and at pricing that is yet to be confirmed but promises to be keen.
