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WM recently launched its new P-Series bakkies, with the range including several single cabs as well as vehicles in ‘commercial’ trim, all aimed at the buyer who needs a bakkie for work and not for leisure.
After having driven a couple of P-Series bakkies recently, AgriPulse was impressed with these vehicles’ refinement and build quality.
They really feel solid and well put together, and the drivetrain is on par with what is the norm nowadays.
Then there’s the important matter of price. Right across the 15-model range the P-series bakkies are just below R200k cheaper than comparative models from well-known brands, which is a huge plus because bakkies are not cheap modes of transport like they used to be.
NOT BARE BONES
On the outside, ‘commercial’ spec differs from the luxury ‘passenger’ trim P-Series, by doing without the chrome trim around the vast grille-chromed mirrors and blingy roll bar.
The SX 4x4 8AT Commercial (pictured) is no bare bones fleet offering and sports a set of alloys, keyless entry, durable seats wrapped in a mixture of cloth and leather, a big touchscreen infotainment unit and even a set of paddle shifters for the eight-speed automatic transmission. An electronic park brake, reverse sensors, tyre sensors, a hill-assist function and cruise control are also included.
A big rotary dial in the centre console offers 4L, ECO, Normal and Sport modes.
Now those are features associated with luxury bakkies, definitely not vehicles aimed at the construction industry or farmers, and at R449 900, this specific 4x4 double cab is priced miles below any other similar vehicle currently on the SA market.
2.0-LITRE TURBO-DIESEL
But what about the hardware, that which you cannot see but is more important than fancy features?
GWM employs one engine across the 15-model range, which is a turbocharged, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with 120kw and 400Nm.
These outputs are more than enough to move the massive P-Series body along at an agreeable pace, and the eight-speed automatic gearbox does a good job keeping the revs where they belong. Interestingly, GWM chose to give the P-Series permanent all-wheel drive, unlike all other bakkies which have a selectable 4x4 system.
As for those four driving modes, 4L engages immediately upon turning the dial, Eco gives the engine a somewhat lazy attitude, while Sport results in aggressive downshifts from the automatic transmission and gears being held onto a tad longer.
VERY CLOSE
GWM’s new P-Series in Commercial trim will make farm work a lot easier with all those features.
Yes, it’s still unproven, but it really seems like GWM did its homework with this one and has put a lot of effort into bringing the vehicle closer to those offered by established brands.
Go have a look on the GWM website to see what more this range of new bakkies has to offer, or visit the GWM/Haval dealership in Richards Bay and take one for a drive.
This new bakkie might just be the one which upsets the big brands’ apple cart for good.