THE recent 27th Chengdu Motor Show showcased 130 carmakers who converged at the Western China International Expo City in Sichuan Province.
Held from Aug 20 to Sept 8, more than 1,600 models were on display to entice potential car buyers.
Among the choice picks of the show, Great Wall Motor (GWM) featured its popular GWM Poer Sahar Off-Road Edition pick-up truck alongside the Haval H9 sports utility vehicle (SUV) and its large 2,000cc Souo motorcycle cruiser.
While GWM has been popularly known as the largest pick-up truckmaker in China for the last 23 years, with a market share of about 50%, the inclusion of the Souo marks this independent China-based carmaker’s first foray into the world of luxury flagship two-wheelers.
Poer Sahar.
The Poer pick-up truck (also known as the Cannon in Malaysia) is said to be the choice vehicle out of every two pick-up trucks bought in China and was properly decked out to amaze the masses.
The latest model is equipped with front and rear LEDs for illumination, rugged matt-black cladding for the wheel arches, side steps, front and rear bumpers.
A black satin-finished surround was used for the front grille to accent against the metallic yellow paintwork before including a snorkel, retractable rear bed cover and sports bars as part and parcel of this pickup truck.
Poer Sahar.
Much like the exterior’s colour combination, the interior follows suit while featuring a host of upmarket kit.
This includes metal sports pedals, piano-black and wood-like inserts, powered front (with ventilation and heated functions) and rear seats wrapped in perforated black and yellow faux leather
There’s also a trigger-like gear-shifter that is surrounded by a multitude of buttons such as ventilation and heater seat functions, a dedicated drive mode selector with 4H, 4L and rear-wheel drive modes among others.
As well as a digital cluster and large floating touchscreen infotainment unit, chrome and satin-finished inserts litter the cabin for an upmarket feel.
At the same time, a Qi wireless charger stands ready to charge up that high-end smartphone.
Poer Sahar.
Meanwhile, the company claims that the cabin’s noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) have been improved through noise reduction technology, enabling 66.1 decibels (dB) to be measured from the second row.
Using the company’s latest 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine with 184PS and 480Nm of torque, an in-house developed nine-speed automatic transmission sends the power to the BorgWarner differentials before reaching the 18-inch alloys, furnished with 265/65 all-terrain tyres.
If this isn’t enough, a more potent 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine is also available while claiming to be the largest and most comfortable double-cab pick-up truck.
For added safety, it now has Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) which includes adaptive and intelligent cruise control, among others.
Haval H9.
Moving to the SUV segment, the company also unveiled its second-generation Haval H9 with turbocharged petrol and turbodiesel engine options.
While the 224PS 2.0-litre petrol variant uses an eight-speed automatic transmission, the same 2.4-litre turbodiesel powertrain found in the Poer Sahar Off-Road Edition is used.
Haval H9.
GWM claims the H9 is able to tow up to 2,500kg and its roof is capable of withstanding a load of up to 75kg – all while rolling on 19-inch wheels with 265/55 series tyres.
Among its notable mentions is the 791-litre boot and its quiet 57dB interior at 80kph.
Haval H9.
Travelling at 120kph raises the reading to 64.1dB.
The H9 also comes with a 14.6-inch centre-mounted infotainment touchscreen, rotary selector and a plethora of physical buttons while the seats are upholstered in perforated leather.
Souo 2000.
Regarding GWM’s first cruiser bike that weighs over 460kg, the Souo (Search Own, Unlimited Outlook), is powered by the world’s first 2,000cc flat eight-cylinder (H8) motor and is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
This is undoubtedly a large bike with a 1,810mm-wheelbase and measures 2,660mm-long while having a saddle height of 740mm.
There are double headlights, a large windscreen, plenty of chrome, large exhaust cans and three panniers that provide a total of 118 litres of storage space.
Souo 2000.
A 12.3-inch digital cluster, running on a Qualcomm SA8155P Snapdragon SoC, with support for over-the-air (OTA) remote upgrades (another world-first for a motorcycle), adds to the mix of heated handlebars and seats as well as a two-speaker sound system.
In other exhibits, there was Chery’s Fulwin T10 that was also given the limelight.
Seen here with its full-LED front automatic headlights and rear light clusters, along with pop-out door handles and a plethora of cameras embedded around the vehicle, the T10 drew a large crowd after setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest range travelled by a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV.
Fulwin T10.
The T10 managed to achieve about 2,100km on a single tank of petrol and a fully charged battery.
The journey, starting in Shangri-La City in Yunnan province and ending in Zhuhai in Guangdong, China, took three gruelling days to exhaust all of the T10’s fuel and charge.
Available in five or six-seater configurations, its 1,499cc turbocharged SQRH4J15 engine, producing 150PS and 220Nm of torque, is managed by a 1DHT gearbox that sends power to its 20-inch wheels with 245/50 series tyres.
The engine is supplemented by an electric motor that outputs 150kW and 310Nm of torque and is said to use a ternary 34.5kWh lithium (NCM) battery pack from Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL).
The system can provide up to 210km of additional pure electric range.
In China, the T10 is available in two guises starting with a front-wheel driven 370PS variant while a more powerful all-wheel-drive version gets access to 600PS and 980Nm of torque.
SU7.
High on the attraction list was Xiaomi’s first all-electric SU7 and although this electric vehicle (EV) has not been earmarked for other markets outside of China over the next few years, there’s always hope.
Xiaomi, well-known for its range of smartphones and home products, featured its all-electric SU7 Max during the show.
As the range-topper with an all-wheel-drive powertrain, this electric vehicle (EV) has yet to be cleared for export outside of China.
Nonetheless, the SU7 was still a crowd-puller during the show and has undoubtedly piqued the interest of many here in Malaysia.
While boasting of a claimed drag coefficient of just 0.195Cd the SU7 Max is seen by many as the Porsche Taycan killer.
With 495kW/664hp and 838Nm of torque on tap, the dual-motor setup allows this EV to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 2.8 seconds with Launch Control before reaching a top speed of 265kph.
The range-topping Max variant allows for Boost Mode, which lasts for 20 seconds and also comes with active rear wings to keep the vehicle stable at high speeds and during heavy braking.
The Max variant is said to travel up to 800km on a single charge of its 101kWh CATL 800V Kirin battery pack.
Although its recharge capacities have yet to be revealed, the company stated that the battery can be recharged via AC and fast-charging DC (10% to 80% in 19 minutes).
Other notable mentions include 105-litre frunk, 493-litre powered boot, full glass roof, powered front seats, perforated leather upholstery, front double wishbone independent suspension and rear five-link independent suspension.
Also included are continuously variable damping shock absorbers with variable (hard/soft and high/low) adjustability, front Brembo cross-drilled and rear solid discs as well as 20-inch wheels with 265/40 series tyres.
