Latest news with #Jolion
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
GWM introduces affordable mid-sized SUV
Priced between £23,995 and £29,995, the GWM Haval Jolion Pro comes with lots of standard kit, significantly undercutting several rivals on price. In terms of looks, interior and performance, it's a vehicle that doesn't stand out from the crowd but – equally – isn't particularly offensive on any of those fronts. A hybrid powertrain is the only engine on offer. It features a 147bhp electric motor mated to a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine, which produces a less impressive 94bhp. The GWM Haval Jolion In most circumstances, the two power sources work well together to provide a reasonable amount of punch, although the engine tone can be harsh under heavy acceleration and sometimes feels a little short of breath on long, steep hills. It takes about nine seconds to get from 0-60mph, which sufficiently brisk for a vehicle of this size. The steering is trustworthy but doesn't offer a lot of 'feel', while the ride can feel a bit unsettled over uneven surfaces. In many ways, the Jolion looks more conventional than other Chinese cars on sale in the UK, with styling more akin to some of the European-built SUVs. The front end is dominated by a large grille in which eye-catching silver strips run vertically, while slim LED headlights provide a contemporary look. From the side, the vehicle is a bit anonymous, but the rear has more of a distinctive look thanks to a wrapover 'single eyebrow' LED light bar and a spoiler. The rear end of the GWM The Jolion comes with 17-inch or 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, depending on trim level. Inside, the cabin is well laid out and fairly pleasant, with some soft touch surfaces interspersed with harder materials. There's a mix of switchgear and screens. A 7-inch full-colour digital cluster sits alongside an LED multimedia touchscreen, measuring up to 12.3-inches depending on specification. The touchscreen looks very busy and can be tricky to navigate at first, but is largely acceptable once you get accustomed to its quirks. The Jolion has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, plus a Bluetooth hands-free system, smart keyless entry, and push-button start. Ultra trim adds a head-up display and wireless phone charger. A lack of DAB radio was one drawback, and there's also no option to have built-in sat-nav. I liked the space in the central console that your phone can slot into in much the same way that bread slots into a toaster, meaning it doesn't move around when you go round corners. The leatherette seats are supple and comfortable, offering plenty of space for front seats occupants, while rear seat passengers also benefit from generous legroom. The spacious cabin isn't replicated in terms of the boot, which has a mere 255 litres of capacity – about 150 litres less than many other hybrid SUVs. The interior of the vehicle Lux trim level also adds heated front seats, while Ultra versions get ventilated front seating. Safety-wise, the vehicle benefits from a comprehensive package of over 100 built-in active and passive cutting-edge safety features, including driver drowsiness protection, brake override system, secondary collision mitigation and automatic rear cross traffic braking. The 360-degree camera on Ultra trim level works well in providing a crisp and clear panoramic view around the car. All-in-all, the Jolion has plus points and minus points, but the price is bound to attract interest. GWM Haval Jolion Pro PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph in 9 seconds ECONOMY: 47mpg and emissions of 133 g/km ENGINE: 1.5-litre petrol engine combined with 147bhp electric motor TRANSMISSION: Automatic PRICE: £23,995 TO £29,995
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Facelift: GWM Haval H6 improves an already hard-to-beat package
Its flagship SUV until the arrival of the H7 at the beginning of the year, Great Wall Motors (GWM) Haval officially removed the wraps from the facelift H6 in South Africa last week after confirming initial details in February. Almost brand new The first and most comprehensive update to the H6 since its local market arrival four years ago, the changes not only involve aesthetics, but also the interior in a such way that it could be described as a completely new vehicle. While indeed referred to by the company rebranded last year as GWM Haval, hence the H6 sporting GWM branding on its tailgate and no longer simply only Haval, the launch in a drizzly and cold Cape Town also came with a surprise in the first-time sampling of the sportier H6 GT, though more about this later. A key model for GWM, as it together with the Jolion, makes up the bulk of the Haval division's sales as a result of the H7 still being new, the H6's exterior changes mirror those of the Chinese market variant, shown last year, without any market specific differences. New outside Spanning four models, excluding the pair of GT variants, all H6s receive new LED headlights, a redesigned front bumper, a new chrome grille, and Peugeot-type fog lamps that run in a claw motif from the main clusters down the flanks of the bumper. Not stopping there, GWM has updated the lower air intake and fitted gloss black 19-inch alloy wheels across the entire range after it proved popular on higher-end versions of the pre-facelift model. Just as prominent are the changes at the rear comprising the mentioned GWM logo in a block letter typeface between the new LED light clusters, a restyled bumper, roof rails and window surrounds finished in gloss black, and a slightly changed tailgate. Completing the exterior, the choice of colours has been streamlined to comprise three carryover options and a new addition, the former trio being Hamilton White, Ayers Grey and Sun Black, and the latter a shade called Noble Gold. Completely spruced-up interior Opening the door, the sweeping changes see the H6 adopt the now customary minimalistic design similar to the H7, but without letting go entirely of physical switches for some functions. In this regard, GWM has fitted a floating new centre console with a pair of wireless smartphone chargers, two cupholders, a storage area on the upper section, and a storage slot plus a pair of USB ports below. The placing of the former means the rotary gear selector departs in favour of a steering column-mounted lever, while the steering wheel has been revised with a ticker outer rim Taking prominence are the new 10.25-inch freestanding instrument cluster and the 14.6-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Replacing the previous 12.3-inch setup, the new display also serves as the interface for the climate control, though GWM has seen it wise to retain a traditional 'on/off' button rather than embedding it into the system. What did, however, come as irksome is increasing or lowering the volume of the sound system, which requires the 'folder' button on the top right of the steering wheel to be pressed until the green icon within the cluster disappears. Only then does the volume button become operational. As annoying and unnecessarily complicated as this is, the rest of the interior feels plush, premium and well put together, with only the odd scratchy surface being present. On the practicality side, space lacks for little and while the base model does without an electric tailgate, boot space is still more than impressive at 560l – this applying only to the petrol H6 and not the GT or the HEV. Spec and tech In terms of specification, the H6 range sports four trim levels, with the Luxury now becoming the base grade in place of the discontinued Premium. Besides the items already mentioned, the Luxury comes standard with an eight-speaker sound system, rain sense wipers, electric driver's seats, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, ambient lighting, heated and folding electric mirrors, and push-button start as well as keyless entry. Taking care of safety is the following: 540-degree camera system Tyre pressure monitor Front and rear parking sensors Adaptive Cruise Control Rollover Mitigation Hill Start Assist Automatic Emergency Braking Lane Keep Assist Hill Descent Control Traffic Jam Assist Driver Attention Alert Lane Departure Warning Lane Centring Assist. A drive mode selector with four settings: Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow, and a steering mode adjuster with three settings: Normal, Comfort and Sport, rounds the Luxury off. Taking the step-up to the Super Luxury bring the mentioned electric tailgate, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats with the passenger's chair now being electric, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Door Alert and Automatic Reverse Braking. At the line-up's summit, the Ultra Luxury gets Automatic Park Assist, a nine-speaker sound system and a Head-Up Display. More powerful petrol, same hybrid Out on the launch route, which started and ended in Stellenbosch and included Franschhoek via the renowned pass of the same name, only the conventional petrol variant could be sampled in Luxury guise. As before, GWM has retained the 2.0 T-GDI and HEV powertrains, but with an increase in power and torque for the former from 150kW/320Nm to the same 170kW/380Nm as the H7. Also new is the nine-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which replaces the previous seven-speed, while four-wheel-drive can be had as an option on the Luxury and as the sole choice for the Ultra Luxury. Adding the all-paw system brings an additional two driving modes: Sand and Off-Road. With drive going to the front wheels only, the self-charging HEV once again combines a 1.5l turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and battery pack for unchanged outputs of 179kW/530Nm. The only transmission is a two-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT), and while the petrol will consume unleaded at a rate of 7.4l/100km or 8.3l/100km in the case of the 4WD, the HEV will do so at a claimed 5.1l/100km. Worth noting is that the HEV has run-flat tyres and no spare due to the battery pack underneath the boot board, and the same drive modes as the front-wheel-drive petrol. The drive The first leg of the journey involved the 4WD and despite the irritation of the audio system, it felt sure-footed, refined, comfortable and with a smooth ride that ironed-out the odd imperfection with ease. Heading up the pass was somewhat different, and while no H6 buyer would, admittedly, embark on a full-throttle assault, selecting Sport mode and giving it the maximum came with flustered shifting from the transmission on downshifts. That being said, it is an otherwise slick setup in everyday conditions, although the addition of paddle shifters would have been welcomed. In between, a brief moment to sample the H6 GT involved only the new plug-in hybrid variant, though a more in-depth report will only be made once it arrives on test. The second half of the route from Franschhoek back to Stellenbosch took place in the front-wheel-drive, which featured the typical Chinese vehicle throttle calibration issue not found on the 4WD. Not as confidence inspiring as the all-paw H6, the front-wheel-drive still felt comfortable and refined, but will require finessing or at best, small driving style changes to negate wheelspin on take-off as a result of the throttle and gearbox mapping disconnect. Conclusion A key model for GWM Haval, the updates to the H6 come as a welcome addition to an already well-appointed, if now ageing, model. However, with sales for the year standing at 1 426 units, and with a price tag still below R500 000, but with more specification and tech included, expect the H6 to remain a runaway success at a price tough to beat. Price All H6's price tags include a seven-year/200 000km warranty, a seven-year/75 000km service and, in the case of the HEV, an eight-year/150 000 km battery warranty. H6 2.0 T-GDI Luxury DCT – R495 500 H6 2.0 T-GDI Luxury 4WD DCT – R574 500 H6 2.0 T-GDI Super Luxury DCT – R542 500 H6 2.0 T-GDI Ultra Luxury 4WD DCT – R614 500 H6 HEV Luxury DHT – R641 500 H6 HEV Ultra Luxury DHT – R686 500 This article first appeared in The Citizen. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
TimesLIVE
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Updated Haval H6 pushes value agenda in crowded segment
A more 'bling' grille and snazzier headlamps for the revised H6. Image: Supplied It could be argued that the big turnaround point for Chinese cars in South Africa was ushered in by the 2021 Haval Jolion. Eurocentric design flair, a progressive cabin with decent materials, above average refinement and pricing that was hard to ignore, made the model a success for Great Wall Motors' (GWM) SUV brand. After the Jolion set expectations, a follow-up came in the form of the larger H6, which eyed a slice of the hugely competitive C-segment arena. Four years later the H6, much like the Jolion, continues to demonstrate its popularity. This week the Chinese carmaker released the updated H6 on local shores. We attended the launch in Cape Town. The manufacturer took the opportunity to remind us that GWM has been in business locally for 18 years, with an uninterrupted run, making it the oldest Chinese player in the Mzansi motor market. A reminder that Haval is one of many brands under the GWM umbrella, including the Tank, P-Series and Ora. According to brand executives, the H6 appeals to a demographic ranging in age from 30 to 50, with incomes ranging from R600k to R900k per annum. The brand describes the average H6 buyer as well-educated, opting to make their purchasing decisions on virtues of quality and value, rather than being driven by emotional impulse. So what can these rational, level-headed shoppers look forward to with the updated model? First up, the design. Note the trapezoidal grille with its glittering finish, revised headlamps with integrated daytime running lights, as well as the fitment of black 19" alloys across the board, using run-flat tyres. Gone is the integrated lightbar design at the rear, with individual tail lamps now deployed. The colour palette remains conservative, joined by a new Noble Gold launch colour resembling the colour of champagne. On the inside, black leatherette upholstery is the default hue. Look out for a thicker steering wheel, ambient lighting and a more simplified centre console design. There are larger screens on offer, ranging from 12.3" to 14.6". The old rotary gear selector inspired by Land Rover has been axed in favour of a column-mounted shifter, just like you would get in a Mercedes-Benz. The GT version of the H6 has a different visual identity, but also benefits from the same list of subtle stylistic and cabin enhancements as its regular counterpart. Rich specification has been a trump card of the H6 and the latest version appears to maintain that standard. A 50W wireless charger, panoramic roof, nine-speaker audio system, heated and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, as well as semi-autonomous driving aids are among the list of goodies punted by the brand. There are 30 cabin storage spaces, while boot capacity is a commodious 560 l. There are three derivatives in the range, all using turbocharged petrol motors. We had a chance to spend time with each version. First up is the conventional 2.0 l model which has gained 20kW/60Nm over its predecessor, now taking things to 170kW/380Nm. It is linked to a nine-speed dual-clutch automatic. The model felt reasonably punchy, if not as potent as the on-paper figures suggested. It proved to deliver a pleasant cruising experience, though excessive tyre roar was noted at higher speeds down the quiet straight leading into Franschhoek Pass. We spent about 120km of seat time with this version, through traffic and mountain roads. Next up is the 1.5 l hybrid model, which has a combined output of 179kW/530Nm. We drove this for a brief 20km stint. Its range readout displayed an impressive estimate in excess of 900km. Performance from standstill was undeniably punchy and the handover between electric motor and engine was imperceptible. The GT plug-in hybrid model serves impressive outputs. Image: Supplied And then we had a short turn with the flagship of the H6 range, the electrified GT model, on a private circuit. Boasting rakish coupé-like lines, the model is armed with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It also uses the 1.5 l but with a 35.4kWh battery and electric motor enabling a combined output of 321kW/762Nm. Haval claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.9 seconds. The all-wheel drive GT plug-in hybrid is remarkably quiet and drama-free as it dashes off the line, without a hint of wheelspin. According to the brand, it can be driven on electric power for up to 180km, able to cruise at 120km/h in zero-emissions mode. The new H6 is served in Luxury, Super Luxury, Ultra Luxury and GT trims, with pricing kicking off at R495,500; topping out at R799,900 for the plug-in hybrid GT. A seven-year/200,000km warranty and seven-year/75,000km service plan is included. The hybrids get a separate eight-year/150,000km warranty for the associated high-voltage components. The H6 plays in a tough segment, with familiar favourites such as the Volkswagen Tiguan, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-5. But there are also Chinese rivals such as the JMC-sourced Ford Territory and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro. As before, pricing for the H6 remains competitive. This, coupled with the fresh design and healthy list of amenities, should keep the model towards the top of shopping consumers' lists.
Mail & Guardian
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Mail & Guardian
Value-for-money Haval H7 is rugged and luxurious but slightly unresponsive
Unorthodox: The Haval H7 resembles its sister brand Tank and does not fit in line with the looks of the H6 and Jolion. At first glance, I found the Haval H7 to be a very odd looking vehicle. Since Haval introduced South Africans to its range in 2021, it has released the Jolion, Jolion Pro, the H6 and H6 GT, all of which were stylish, modern SUVs, with the Pro looking extra sporty and the H6 GT resembling the Lamborghini Urus. GWM also brought in the Tank range, which were meant to be rugged off-roaders. I was therefore slightly confused when the H7 was released and it didn't look like a more premium version of the H6 but rather as if it came from the Tank family. It's big and boxy, with no sharp features that are going to turn heads. It has rounded headlights that are dented deep into the grille on each side and taillights that start off thin, but eventually also get rounded out to bring the ruggedness of the exterior together. The roof rails make sense on this vehicle because of its squared-off shape and deeply sculpted side profile. I was surprised at the look at first, feeling as if it just didn't fit what we were used to seeing from Haval. It wanted to part from the elegant dynamism of the H6 but I couldn't understand why it would make the vehicle look this rugged when GWM already has a brand for that. It almost felt like an overlap between the Tank and Haval brands but this is supposed to be the flagship model from Haval. After two or three days, however, the look begins to grow on you. It also made me realise that the brand has huge confidence. It is not limited to producing vehicles that look a certain way, but can be unorthodox, and still keep the consumer satisfied. I say that because the interior is exactly what I expected. It's what we have come to expect from Haval: plush, posh and perfect. Huge leather seats in the front that are heated, a fully leather steering wheel, a clean and neat dashboard, a fully digital instrument cluster and a floating 14.6 inch infotainment system. What I really loved about the interior is that there are certain elements that keep the rugged, boxy feel of the exterior. The gear shifter is designed like those in a fighter jet and the door handles have big screws popping out of them to add to the vehicle's aesthetic. The space in the back was more than sufficient for three adults and provided enough comfort as well. However, for something this big, the car did fall short in terms of boot space. It offers 483 litres, which is significantly less than the H6, which offers 600 litres. The Haval H7 looks like an off-roader and comes with a variety of modes which will allow the vehicle to do whatever you need when going into the bush. Well, that is if you opt for the all-wheel-drive variant. The modes available are: Grass/Gravel, Convex Roads, Sand, Snow, Mud and for Sporty, Standard or Economical driving. Buyers of the 4×4 model will receive a unique off-road mode on their instrument cluster, which offers a low-speed bird's-eye view of the surroundings, as well as an AI-enhanced image of the surface below the vehicle. This effectively removes the vehicle from the on-screen image and gives the driver the best possible vantage point for technical off-road driving. If you opt for the two-wheel-drive variant, you won't be given those crazy features to go off-roading with, but the car will still handle simple gravel and sand due to its high ground clearance. On the road, the H7 offers a smooth drive and picks up speed very easily when you push your foot down lightly on the accelerator. However, if you need a quick kick to overtake, the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine is slightly unresponsive. There's a split second delay between the time you press and when you actually feel the power. This was kind of annoying because it took away from what was a very comfortable driving experience. For a car of its size, it handles the road very well, but once again, that delay in acceleration handicaps the vehicle on the road. But by no means is it underpowered. The H7 churns out 170kW of power and 380Nm of torque. Once it gets going, it's rapid. One thing nobody can fault Chinese manufacturers on is safety in all their vehicles. GWM have continued this by giving the H7 six airbags and seatbelt safety warnings on both rows of seats. All models feature electronic stability control, traction control, cornering brake control, ABS brakes with emergency brake assist and even tyre pressure monitoring. Every H7 also has hill descent control and hill hold control, a USB port for linking a dashcam, reverse radar and a full 360-degree camera system with an additional 180-degree electronically created view of the road surface beneath the vehicle for a 560-degree view. A full array of advanced driver assistance systems is featured as standard across the Haval H7 range. While it took some time to get used to the shape of the Haval H7, the interior has the luxury feel we have become accustomed to with the brand's vehicles. The exterior gives off love-me-or-hate-me vibes, but there's no doubt Haval have built a sturdy vehicle that comes in at a modest price point once again. Available in a two-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive, the former comes in at R601 950 and the latter is priced at R671 950. There is a hybrid variant that is scheduled to be on sale this quarter at R730 950. I just find it unbelievable how the Chinese manufacturers are managing to give this much in a vehicle at such affordable prices. However, I still find it hard to look past the unresponsive nature in my verdict. Perhaps it is best to wait for the hybrid version but that means adding another R60 000 to the budget.
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Shocking study exposes how some hybrid cars use more fuel than their petrol equivalents
They are sold as vehicles that will cut petrol consumption but tests on Australian roads show some hybrid cars use more fuel than standard models. In one case, a mild hybrid vehicle used 12 per cent more petrol than its internal combustion equivalent on highways and a conventional hybrid used almost three per cent more fuel. The Australian Automobile Association revealed the findings on Monday in an analysis of 16 real-world tests on hybrid and petrol vehicles from five brands. The news follows a spike in the popularity of hybrid cars, with sales of new models rising by more than 34 per cent in Australia over the past year. The real-world tests performed in Victoria showed three out of four Toyota hybrid vehicles cut petrol use by more than 30 per cent on average, while a Honda CR-V hybrid and a mild hybrid Suzuki Swift reduced fuel consumption by 23 and 17 per cent, respectively. But GWM's Jolion hybrid vehicle cut consumption by significantly less than promised, with a 17 per cent fuel saving compared to 38 per cent indicated by laboratory tests. The association tested 16 vehicles including six conventional hybrid cars, two mild hybrid vehicles and their petrol equivalents. Mild hybrid vehicles feature a small battery and electric motor to assist a petrol engine during short bursts and both hybrid styles promise to cut petrol consumption. It also used more petrol than the standard Jolion model when travelling on highways. The Subaru Forester mild hybrid used more petrol than its internal combustion equivalent by 2.8 per cent on average, although the model has been discontinued. The findings were stark given hybrids often commanded a higher price than petrol vehicles, Australian Automobile Association managing director Michael Bradley said. 'Our program continues to show that lab test results on the windscreens of new cars can differ significantly from real-world performance and cost-focused customers should do their research before spending their money,' he said. Tests revealed hybrid vehicles were significantly more fuel-efficient on urban areas than rural roads and were at their least efficient on highways. The Toyota Camry hybrid vehicle cut fuel consumption by 50 per cent on city roads, but only 13 per cent on highways. The discrepancy was common for hybrid vehicles but many consumers were not aware of it, Australian Electric Vehicle Association national president Chris Jones said. 'The conventional hybrid, which is basically a very efficient petrol vehicle, has been optimised for start-stop traffic and that's where most driving in Australia is done,' he said. 'It's that optimisation for the low speeds that has resulted in a decline in the efficiency at high speeds.' As a result, conventional hybrid vehicles may not be as useful for drivers in regional or rural Australia as a plug-in hybrid or an electric vehicle, Dr Jones said. Australian motorists bought more than 47,000 new hybrid cars in the first three months of 2025, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.
