Johannesburg, South Africa – Power, precision and practicality has made the GWM P-Series range of pickups a value proposition bar none, and this was substantiated again with the luxuriously specified P-Series 2.0TD LTD 4×4 AT double cab adjudged a class winner in the recently held inaugural South African Bakkie of the Year (SABOTY) competition.
Undergoing extensive evaluation to appraise the specific requirements and critical performance measurements nowadays expected from high-end flagship leisure double cab 4×4 one-ton bakkies with automatic transmissions – such as off-road, advanced 4×4 and on- and offroad towing capabilities – in a repeatable and verifiable manner, the GWM P-Series LTD was chosen as the winner in the 100-120 kW category of the SABOTY competition.
Going up against the Peugeot Landtrek 4Action Africa Edition 4×4 6AT and the Mahindra Pik Up 2.2 S11 Karoo Storm in this category, the jury, consisting of leading specialist motoring journalists and industry experts, comprehensively scored each participating vehicle according to a very detailed and specifically developed questionnaire, the GWM P-Series LTD was crowned as SABOTY class winner at the Nampo Cape exhibition in Bredasdorp, Western Cape Province.
The testing procedure for the SABOTY evaluation procedures were drawn up by two “discipline specialists” – multiple national rally champion and off-road performance expert Sarel van der Merwe, and off-road and 4×4 towing expert Gerhard Groenewald from Klipbokkop Off-Road Academy – to ensure the highest grade of professionalism for the competition.
After rigorous evaluation in the different disciplines all the points were tallied and audited (including cost of ownership as supplied by Lightstone, and value for money in terms of retail price, warranties, and service plans). In their assessments the jurors praised the extensive list of advanced features, intelligent technologies, and standard equipment found on the GWM P-Series LTD – offering remarkable value-for-money mobility within the leisure bakkie segment.
The SABOTY jurors were also impressed with the notable towing capabilities of the P-Series LTD, thanks to a powerful 2,0-litre turbodiesel engine delivering a punchy 120 kW of power at 3 600 r/min and maximum torque of 400 Nm between 1 500 r/min and 2 500 r/min, and a smooth, slick-shifting ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, and its off-road prowess, thanks to its fully selectable 4×4 system with Cross-Country Expert Mode and Drive Mode Memory, linking to both front and rear differential locks.
Besides praising the Trail Turn assist system on the P-Series LTD that decreases the turning circle by 3 meters to improve 4×4 manoeuvrability, the jurors also commented positively on the convenient interior layout, and the high-quality materials and trim used in the cabin. Says Bianca van Staden, Head of Marketing, Brand and Public Relations for HAVAL Motors South Africa (HMSA):
“The launch of the P-Series three years ago signalled a major stride for GWM in an evolving automotive landscape, and the SABOTY accolade, with the P-Series LTD winning the 100-120 kW category, emphasises the fact that buyers embrace modern, yet cost-effective pickups. This is further highlighted by the fact that up to August this year, over 500 000 P-Series pickups have been sold worldwide.
“Locally, the P-Series has helped HMSA to become the first Chinese automaker to regularly feature in the top ten manufacturers on the monthly vehicle sales charts,” says Van Staden. “We are very proud of this accolade, as the SABOTY jurors were appreciative of the formula we followed with the LTD – to add more functional and practical features to the already extensive specifications list for the P-Series – at a still affordable price point.
“These features include a black roof rail, a snorkel, a front winch that can pull up to 4,2 tonnes, and accessory connectors, as well as 18-inch Gloss Black sports alloy rims, All-Terrain tyres, assertive wheel arches. body colour-coded door handles and mirrors, a black sport bar, and off-road steel front and rear bumpers,” she says. “However, it is GWM’s newly developed four-wheel drive system that really sets the P-Series LTD apart from the rest.”
Standard also on the P-Series LTD are Hill Descent Control, a 360-degree camera, a tyre pressure monitoring system, dual front airbags with side, curtain, and front central airbags, and ISOFIX mountings. For extra security, the LTD has an engine immobiliser system and for in-car entertainment and connectivity the LTD features a 7-inch LCD virtual instrument cluster and a 9-inch multi-media touchscreen offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth capability and wireless phone charging.
Active and passive safety is well taken care of via an Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brake Distribution, Traction Control, Rollover Mitigation, and the Brake Assist System. The award-winning double cab bakkie is available at all GWM dealers countrywide from only R644,950 (incl. VAT) with R50 000 deal assist included, as well a standard 5-year/100 000 km warranty and service plan, and 5-year unlimited mileage roadside assistance.
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