More powerful new GWM P-Series bakkie lands in South Africa – Pricing and features

GWM South Africa has officially introduced the latest addition to the P500 range, pairing the new bakkie with a powerful new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel powertrain.

The new Chinese double-cab bakkie arrives in two grades – the rear-wheel-drive Super Luxury and all-wheel-drive Ultra Luxury – with prices starting from R724,900.

According to the automaker, while the new engine adds performance to the P500 range, the flagship bakkie offers traditional bakkie capability with comfort and refinement more commonly expected from a premium passenger vehicle.

“The introduction of the 3.0-litre diesel responds directly to demand for greater performance from the P500 diesel without compromising on the level of comfort that our customers have become accustomed to,” said Floyd Ramabulana, Head of Marketing at GWM South Africa.

“South African bakkie customers expect their vehicles to fulfil several roles, and for many of them diesel remains an important part of that equation.”

GWM has put the new engine through extensive durability development, which included a million-kilometre test-bench test and full-vehicle validation.

These were done to verify the powertrain under sustained and demanding operating conditions before it reaches customers.

A potent new option

The new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel block fitted to the new P500 models produces 170kW and 620Nm and is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The bakkie’s performance is boosted by a 2,000-bar high-pressure common-rail fuel-injection system, which manages fuel delivery to balance performance with the efficiency demanded of a modern powertrain.

GWM said while diesel engines have long been associated with torque and economy, refinement has historically been a different matter.

As a result, the carmaker took a different approach with the 3.0-litre powertrain, incorporating six vibration and noise-reduction measures to suppress the harshness associated with diesel combustion.

The overall result is a powerful bakkie that is both practical and flexible, boasting a towing capacity of up to 3,500kg that supports a range of applications.

Features

The Chinese giant has fitted the new GWM P500 with technology and features designed for drivers that expect more than rugged capability from their bakkie.

The result is a technology-focused cockpit featuring a 14.6-inch touchscreen running GWM’s Coffee Operating System 3.0, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a Head-Up Display, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Drivers can also expect leather seats offering massage, heating, ventilation, power adjustment and memory functionality.

The cabin also features enhanced sound insulation, high-density sound-absorbing materials, and a dual rear-seal design reducing road and wind noise.

As a flagship offering, the new GWM P500 also features a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety technologies and Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

This includes Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) to assist the driver and enhance awareness in a wide range of driving conditions.

Further confidence is provided by the 360-degree HD Surround View with Transparent Chassis function, providing a comprehensive view around the vehicle, helping drivers navigate tight spaces and challenging terrain.

Passive safety features include seven airbags, while intelligent collision-response functions can automatically unlock the doors and cut off the fuel supply in the event of a collision. 

Pricing

Prices for the GWM P500 range in South Africa are as follows:

• GWM P500 D-Cab 3.0TD 4×2 Super Luxury – R724,900 (New)
• GWM P500 D-Cab 2.4T 4×4 Luxury – R799,900
• GWM P500 D-Cab 3.0TD 4×4 Ultra Luxury – R799,900 (New)
• GWM P500 D-Cab 2.4T 4×4 Super Luxury – R889,900
• GWM P500 D-Cab 2.0T HEV 4×4 Ultra Luxury – R999,900

These prices include a comprehensive GWM ownership package, which encompasses a 7-year/200,000km warranty, 7-year/unlimited km roadside assistance, and 7-year/75,000km service plan.

3.0TD GWM P500