New flagship GWM P-Series for South Africa – Pricing and specifications

GWM quietly introduced a Black Edition variant for the P-Series bakkie in South Africa this March.

Making the move more surprising, the launch of the Black Edition came after the market debut of the new P300 in February, which is intended to be the replacement of the P-Series.

It appears, however, that this forms part of a new strategy for GWM. After it released the P300, it severely reduced the number of specifications in the P-Series family but didn’t remove the model from the market altogether.

This suggests the automaker will continue selling both bakkies for the foreseeable future, with the P-Series pitched at customers with smaller budgets or those in need of a workhorse, while the P300 caters to the lifestyle-focused crowd.

Case in point, the new P-Series Black Edition slots in as the flagship model in the range with prices raning from R526,250 for the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) to R577,250 for the 4×4 entry.

While not the most affordable double cabs on the market, even the priciest Black Edition still undercuts the base P300 by over R22,000.

What you get

The P-Series Black Edition is a stylistic take on the Chinese bakkie that has become so popular on South African roads.

It wears a variety of darkened exterior elements where its siblings have chrome or silver, such as on the badging, grille, skidplate, roof rails, wing mirrors, window surrounds, and side steps.

It also boasts exclusive-look 18-inch alloy wheels in, of course, black; and gets a sleek black rollbar in a unique design.

Apart from these cosmetic changes, the P-Series Black Edition is identical to its siblings.

It’s sold in the top-spec LS trim which means buyers can expect luxuries such as push-button start, a leather multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters, automatic climate control with rear-seat vents, leather upholstery, front-seat heating, and a 9-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety and assistance systems encompass hill-assist and descent control, cruise control, ABS with brake assist, tyre-pressure monitoring, and six airbags.

The bakkie is also delivered with automatic LED headlights, a drop-in bedliner, and an easy-lift tailgate with an integrated step that bolsters its ease of use.

The Black Edition retains the turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel mill with 120kW and 400Nm on tap, which is joined up with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

In the RWD models fuel consumption is pegged at 9.0l/100km, and in the 4×4 it comes in at 9.5l/100km.

Additonally both drivetrain options provide Standard, Eco, and Sport driving modes, with the all-paw version also bringing 4L for added off-road ability.

Maximum towing capacity for both bakkies is limited to 1,200kg and both support a payload of 650kg.

Price

The South African pricing and revised model line-up for the GWM P-Series are as follows:

• GWM P-Series 2.0TD Single Cab SX – R413,050
• GWM P-Series 2.0TD Single Cab DLX – R443,650
• GWM P-Series 2.0TD Double Cab SX – R444,650
• GWM P-Series 2.0TD Single Cab SX 4×4 – R469,150
• GWM P-Series 2.0TD Double Cab SX Auto – R487,550
• GWM P-Series 2.0TD Double Cab SX 4×4 – R497,750
• GWM P-Series 2.0TD Single Cab DLX 4×4 – R499,750
• GWM P-Series 2.0TD Double Cab LS – R526,250
• GWM P-Series 2.0TD Double Cab LS Black Edition – R526,250
• GWM P-Series 2.0TD Double Cab SX 4×4 Auto – R535,450
• GWM P-Series 2.0TD Double Cab LS 4×4 – R577,250
• GWM P-Series 2.0TD Double Cab LS Black Edition 4×4 – R577,250

These prices include a 7-year/200,000km warranty, a 7-year/75,000km service plan, and 7-year/unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance.