GWM has detailed its new plug-in hybrid Haval SUV, codenamed B07, as part of an official reveal at the Shanghai motor show.
Being referred to as a “next-gen medium SUV” for the Haval brand, it will go on sale in China in May and will in turn be introduced to global markets.
“We certainly like what we see and it’s a car we would welcome to Australia. For the meantime, however, the final decision is yet to be made,” said a spokesperson for GWM Haval Australia.
It measures 4758mm long, 1895mm wide and 1725mm tall on a 2800mm wheelbase – 103mm longer, 9mm wider and 1mm taller than a GWM Haval H6 on a 62mm longer wheelbase. That makes it only incrementally smaller than a Hyundai Santa Fe.
GWM Haval claims total boot space of 551L per VDA measurements, expanding to 1377L with the second row folded.
Up front, the dash incorporates 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with a 10-inch head-up display sitting ahead of the driver.
Total outputs for the B07 are 205kW of power and 585Nm of torque, with a rear-mounted electric motor producing 150kW and 350Nm.
A 20kWh battery features, and claimed electric-only range is 105km with fuel consumption of 5.5L/100km.
The B07 will debut GWM’s new Hi4 technology, which comprises an “EV-based powertrain” set-up that combines a petrol engine and two electric motors plus a two-speed hybrid transmission.
When the battery runs out, the car will function as a normal hybrid and GWM claims it will be both more energy-efficient and offer a more EV-like drive feel than other plug-in hybrid SUVs.
Models with the Hi4 system will feature GWM’s Intelligent Torque Vectoring Control, promising the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles in milliseconds to improve safety and stability.
There’s a “smart system” that can switch between nine different driving modes based on real-time road conditions.
In city driving, it will switch between pure electric two-wheel drive, series hybrid mode, and first-gear direct drive mode to avoid using the petrol engine. At high speeds, it will use the second-gear direct drive mode to maximise efficiency.
Brake energy recuperation also features in the system.
GWM is also calling the B07 a “strategic model” that will “lead the charge” for the Haval brand’s “transformation to new energy”.
The Haval brand, now treated as a sub-brand in Australia, has hybrid versions of its Jolion and H6 in Australia. In China, it also sells a plug-in hybrid version of the latter, as well as a PHEV version of its H-Dog (aka Second-Generation Big Dog).
It has yet to introduce any all-electric models.
