Billed officially as the first global coupe SUV from Chinese auto giant GWM, the Haval H6 GT is, in essence, the successor to the previous generation H6 C but contrary to this model, the new, third-generation H6 GT differs dramatically from its normal H6 sibling.
Divergent from the H6 with its big, shiny grille and conventional sports utility lines, the Phil Simmonds designed GT adopts shark bionic aesthetics, according to Haval, with the frontal design inspired by elements of shark pectoral fins and teeth, while the side and fastback rear mimics a shark’s streamlined body.
The design language endows the model with unique and dynamic flair, but even with its sporting traits, its GT moniker does not fit, as it is no Gran Turismo in the traditional sense. It would have been better if Haval had kept the S nameplate used for this model in China.
That said, the H6 GT does stand out from the crowd with its streamlined body, wheel arch cladding, gloss black accents, carbon fibre inserts on the front and back, a roof-mounted spoiler and diffuser at the rear, black roof rails and side mirrors, as well as sporty 19” wheels.
Inside, the dynamic theme continues with luminous green trim and stitching with Alcantara inserts. The 10.25” digital instrument cluster and 12.3” central display sitting atop a dual-tier dash panel are similar to the layout in the H6. The materials and finish in the roomy cabin are of surprisingly high quality and compare well with the best from Europe or Japan in this class.
HIGH SPECIFICATION LEVEL
The 392-litre luggage compartment is somewhat modest compared to the H6, but the GT’s high specification level includes heated seats with electric control, a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera, plus safety systems such as Adaptive Cruise Control, traffic jam assist, pre-collision warning with auto emergency braking, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Keeping Assist and Blind spot detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
All these systems are welcome additions, but as in the H6, the warning bells and sound alarms of the overeager and too conservatively set Lane Keeping Assist and Lange Departure Alert systems soon became an irritation on the road. Also, it is quite a process to switch them all off (in the menu of the central display).
Further adding to the frustration is that the system resets to default mode every time the vehicle is started. However, it did seem to remember the previous driver’s chosen dynamic steering mode (Sport, Comfort or Light).
RACE MODE
Equipped with the same 2.0-litre petrol turbo engine as in the latest H6, the GT has ample power, with 150 kW available at 6,000 rpm and 320 Nm of torque at 1,500 rpm – compared to 140 kW and 310 Nm generated by the power unit of the previous H6 C.
However, the GT (dissimilar to the normal H6) also has an overboost function; upping the power and torque delivery to 155 kW and 325 Nm respectively for a short period and this feature, as well as an additional driving mode called “Race Mode” further distinguishes the coupe type flagship SUV from its lesser stablemates.
Power is seamlessly distributed to all four wheels via a slick seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and on the short launch route around the Cape Peninsula, the GT felt stable and planted at speed while negotiating a series of short corners and longer, curved bends.
While the difference in engine performance between Eco, Standard, and Sport modes was not noteworthy, the GT’s character changed considerably in Race Mode. It was as if the car suddenly woke up, with the exhaust note changing to a growl, the steering becoming much sharper and direct, and the suspension system sportier and more intense.
However, the surge in power made pedal modulation too sensitive, and the on-and-off nature of acceleration marred the smoothness of the ride. It’s an excellent mode for playing in the corners and on short stretches, but certainly not suitable for longer trips.
In the SUV fraternity, the H6 competes with rivals such as the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5, but in terms of power delivery, as well as price, the closest opponents to the GT are the new 140 kW Volkswagen T-Roc 2.0 TSI R-Line (R660,400), the Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI and Lexus NX 250 EX, although the Audi and Lexus are much more expensive than the Haval.
LAST WORD
All this heightens the desirability of the GT (it also received a five-star safety grading from ANCAP) if you can look past the Haval badge. Yes, there still are minor irritations, and aftersales service and resale value are still untested.
Even so, this Haval looks fine and fast, and for R629,950 (including a five-year/100 000 km warranty and a five-year/60,000 km service plan), one will have to look far and wide to find a similar sporty, good-looking SUV at the same price.
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © HAVAL SOUTH AFRICA
