The first images of the new Haval H9 have just been revealed in China, and the good news is that it is coming to South Africa.
A representative from GWM South Africa confirmed to TopAuto that the H9 is planned for a local introduction, but that this will only happen come 2025.
“The Haval H9 will be coming to South Africa, but it will launch in China first, and then the rest of the markets will follow,” said the subsidiary.
“So you won’t see it in South Africa this year, but we are getting it.”
What to expect
The first-generation H9 saw an international debut in 2014 before making its way to South Africa in 2018, where it remained on the market until 2022.
Haval South Africa’s current line-up only has two models – the Jolion and H6 – so the seven-seater H9 is expected to take pole position as the flagship of the range when it appears in local showrooms.
Concrete information on the new SUV is still thin on the ground as the vehicle has yet to go on sale in its home market, but Chinese publication AutoHome has published an article with a few teaser images and a handful of hardware details.
The images show that the car has undergone a complete redesign from the previous generation and now looks much similar to Great Wall Motor’s other SUVs like the incoming Tank 300.
This has given the front a new grille with large round headlights, and the vehicle as a whole is much more blocky in general, as seems to be the current styling trend amongst several automakers in this segment.
The Haval will reportedly have two different engines, the first being a 2.4-litre, turbocharged diesel while the second will be a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol.
According to Car News China, the all-wheel-drive SUV will be offered with either an eight or nine-speed automatic gearbox, though the outputs of the engines are still unknown.
Haval H9 interior spy shot – Source: Car News China
The site also provided what appears to be a spy shot of the interior, showcasing things like two widescreen displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, a sunroof, leather seats, and a large centre console with a new gearshift, though it must be noted that this is an unofficial image and should not be considered indicative of the final product.
Other features that the H9 will allegedly have include a set of front and rear differential locks, an all-terrain control system with various driving modes, off-road cruise control, and a front bash plate – all of which reinforce the idea that tackling the great outdoors will be a core selling point of the new car compared to the more urban-oriented models that Haval South Africa currently provides.
Haval H9
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