AFFORDABLE 4X4 FLAGSHIP

Responding to the rising demand for premium off-roaders, GWM excited bakkie-mad South Africans with its comprehensively specced and keenly priced P-Series 4×4 flagship alternative earlier this year. We explore its key features.

While South Africa’s economic slump tears other car market segments, demand for double cab bakkies from business and leisure buyers persists. Although buyers in this segment are not entirely insulated from the effects of a poorer economy, some are increasingly setting their sights on rising bakkie brands such as GWM instead of opting for cheaper (and lesser-specced) alternatives to the big three – Toyota, Ford, and Isuzu.

Responding to this trend, GWM introduced its 4×4 flagship P-Series LTD bakkie in May this year, offering excellent value-for-money mobility wrapped up in a capable, comfortable, and attractive package.

RANGE-LEADING ENHANCEMENTS

The P-Series LTD is set apart from its LS and LT range mates by attractive 18” gloss-black alloy rims shod with Cooper Discovery AT3 all-terrain tyres, body colour door handles and mirrors, a black sport bar, plastic load bay liner, coated steel front and rear bumpers, and aggressive-looking wheel arches.

While these trimmings add heaps of street-cred to the LTD, several adventure-ready enhancements add much-needed functionality to the package including steel rock sliders, black roof rails, a specifically developed snorkel, a front winch (integrated into the front bumper) with up to 4.2-tonne pulling power, a 12-volt accessory connector in the engine bay, and a 120-watt 220V socket in the rear of the cabin. The LTD is further enhanced with GWM’s newly developed four-wheel-drive system, which is unavailable on other models.

On the LTD, the standard torque-on-demand (TOD) four-wheel-drive system makes way for a fully selectable system with various driving modes, including 2H, 4H, 4L, Snow, Mud, and Sand. Off-road systems also include a Cross-Country Expert Mode that locks the centre diff when you hold the traction control button down for a few seconds, an off-road thermal management system, off-road cruise control, and GWM’s much-needed Trail Turn Assist system that shrinks the large bakkie’s turning circle by as much as three metres in tight off-roading conditions.

PRACTICAL COMFORT

The P-Series LTD builds on other high-end P-Series double cabs’ already sumptuous interior offering with standard features such as hill-descent control, a 360-degree camera, a tyre pressure monitoring system, ISOFOX mountings, as well as dual front airbags with side, curtain, and front central airbags. 

In-car entertainment, connectivity, and driver information are handled by a 7” LCD virtual instrument cluster and a 9” multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth functionality. A 360-degree surround-view camera system and several driver aids, such as lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control, are also included.

Passenger comfort is not neglected, with the LTD offering leather-clad seating (electrically adjusted in the front) for up to five adults, who can also keep their smart devices charged up with a wireless charging pad, two USB ports in the front, and one at the rear.

Although not unique to the LTD, the P-Series adds several useful, practical features not typical in the segment. The P-Series is a large bakkie (longer, wider, and taller than most of the competitors listed here), and to clamber onto its load bay can be a struggle were it not for a clever foldaway step hidden in the load bay door. Another useful feature allows you to fold the back seats up and away (60/40 split) when not in use, for additional stowage in the rear of the cabin. Neat.

FAMILIAR POWER

GWM hasn’t tinkered with the 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine also fitted to other P-Series bakkies. Offering a useful 120 kW of power at 3,600 r/min and maximum torque of 400 Nm between 1,500 rpm and 2,500 rpm (trumping all but the 2.5-litre Navara), there is ample power for most driving conditions, all sent to the drive wheels via a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Aside from the LTD’s limited braked towing capacity of 1,200 kg (most other bakkies in this segment are capable of at least double that), the P-Series offers segment-equalling active and passive safety ABS with EBD, traction control, rollover mitigation, and brake assist. 

LAST WORD

The P-Series LTD is a compelling alternative that doesn’t hold back on capability, desirability, and comfort at an attractive recommended price of R694,950. And, with a standard five-year/100,000 km warranty and service plan and five-year unlimited mileage roadside assistance, peace of mind is part of the deal.

Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © GWM SOUTH AFRICA