POWERTRAIN AND PERFORMANCE

THANKS to a new turbo and a more sophisticated (read higher pressure) diesel injection system – the usual ‘tune-up’ items with modern turbo-diesels – what was 110kw and 310Nm in the Steed has become 120kw and 400Nm in the GWM Ute.

Complete with the now obligatory diesel particulate filter (DPF) the engine meets the now-mandatory-in-australia Euro 5 emissions standards. A manual DPF regeneration switch is provided, which is a very practical touch. Sold elsewhere (with the addition of urea injection or Adblue) it’s a Euro 6 engine, which is testament to the modernity of its top-end remake.

On the road 120kw and 400Nm still doesn’t set the world on fire, as you would expect, but the engine still gets along effortlessly enough in general giveand-take driving, doesn’t make a fuss on hills, and, all the while, is relatively smooth, refined and quiet. However, a colleague drove a different example and complained of excessive vibration at urban speeds, something not evident with the example tested here.

Helping to get the most out of this engine revision is a slick eight-speed automatic, made under licence from German transmission specialist ZF. As ever with the now ubiquitous ZF eightspeed, the shifts are near seamless, especially with moderate throttle loads.

The shifts are also well-timed, which, along with the relatively close gear ratios, helps keep things percolating along nicely. Paddle shifts are also provided for the ‘manual’ control if you wish and are most useful off-road.

Not so good is the throttle progression, which is soft in initial response but then ramps up quickly. You get used to it, but it could and should be better. The overall throttle travel is too short, too, especially for off-road driving.