New GWM P500 bakkie officially goes on sale in South Africa – Pricing and features

GWM has officially launched the new P500 in South Africa which assumes the role of the brand’s flagship bakkie.

The P500 is available in three flavours badged Luxury, Super Luxury, and Ultra Luxury Hybrid, with prices starting at R799,900.

Engines

Buyers of the new GWM double cab can choose between two powertrains comprising a turbocharged 2.4-litre diesel and a 2.0-litre petrol-hybrid.

The turbo-diesel produces 135kW and 480Nm and is matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-on-demand 4×4 system with low range.

It is available in the Luxury and Super Luxury variants only, which return an average fuel consumption of 8.6l/100km and boast a maximum towing capacity of 3,500kg.

Meanwhile, the petrol-hybrid option generates a substantial 255kW and 648Nm, making it “South Africa’s most powerful hybrid bakkie,” said GWM.

The semi-electric setup gets its own nine-speed hybrid automatic gearbox and a unique 4×4 system, and it reports a 9.8l/100km fuel usage.

All three models feature an electronically controlled rear-axle differential lock as well as Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes, with the Super Luxury and Ultra Luxury Hybrid also coming with a front-axle differential lock.

Features

The P500 boasts an extensive selection of amenities befitting its status as GWM’s new halo bakkie.

The base Luxury derivative is delivered with automatic LED lights, roof rails, side steps, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic wipers, keyless entry and start, Eco-leather seat upholstery, a digital driver’s display, a 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six speakers, front and rear parking sensors, and seven airbags.

Completing the spec sheet is a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including trailer sway mitigation with adaptive cruise, intelligent cruise assist, traffic jam assist, intelligent turning, rear cross-traffic alert with braking, driver fatigue monitoring, uphill and downhill assist, lane-change assist, front-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian safety assist, bicycle safety assist, and a 360-degree panoramic camera system.

The mid-spec Super Luxury adds front fog lamps with steering auto direction, an easy-lift tailgate with 40:60 split functionality, an electric rear sliding window, a panoramic sunroof, an electronic rear-view mirror, electric front seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging, Nappa leather upholstery, a faux suede roofliner, a 14.6-inch central touchscreen, a front wireless charger, and a 220V power outlet.

At the top of the stable, the Ultra Luxury further treats buyers with steering wheel heating, electric rear seats with heating and ventilation, two 1kg storage trays under the rear bench, multi-colour ambient lighting, a rear wireless charger, a heads-up display, an upgraded Harman Infinity stereo, and fully automated parking assist.

The P500 then comes in a 5,445mm from nose to tail, 1,991mm from left to right, and 1,924mm from top to bottom, with a wheelbase of 3,350mm and ground clearance of 224mm.

Price

The South African pricing and model line-up for the new GWM P500 are as follows:

• GWM P500 P500 2.4TD Luxury 4×4 – R799,900
• GWM P500 P500 2.4TD Super Luxury 4×4 – R889,900
• GWM P500 2.0T Ultra Luxury Hybrid 4×4 – R999,900

Each purchase is accompanied by a 7-year/200,000km warranty, a 5-year/75,000km service plan, and 7-year/unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance. The hybrid also gets an 8-year/150,000km high-voltage warranty.

GWM P500