GWM scales new heights

05 December 2011 - 23:37 By BOBBY CHEETHAM
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Great Wall Motors launched its latest diesel SUV in the Western Cape last week and the route took in one of the best mountain drives in SA, the Franschhoek Pass.

The pass has become de rigueur for many motoring companies eager to show off new products and GWM was one of them. Earlier this year, GWM launched the H5 petrol model and I was impressed with the value for money the Chinese-built vehicle offers.

Nothing has changed with the new diesel model - we still think it's a good buy. However, the 2.0l diesel engine is only adequate for those who are not traffic light racers. In fact, if were not for the significant turbo lag when pulling away, it would be a great vehicle.

But the turbo lag is sometimes too great to ignore, especially in the automatic model. The H5 auto battles to breathe in its first few seconds of life, but once the revs get going, the SUV wakes up and shakes its engine alive.

Pity about the lag, it's a spoilsport.

The 4D20 turbo diesel engine was developed and designed independently by Great Wall Motors. The H5 2.0 VGT (manual) and the H5 Auto Diesel are both available in 4x4 and 4x2 derivatives.

Last year it was the only diesel engine to be selected as one of China's Top 10 engines in the Chinese Hearts Awards, which recognises advancements in technology.

A greener, quieter and more energy efficient diesel engine, the four-cylinder 4D20 engine meets Europe IV emission standards and carries EU certification.

It features dual overhead camshafts, high-pressure common rail, variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), NVH noise control, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and an automatic valve clearance compensator. The turbo diesel engine gives the H5 2.0 VGT a maximum output of 110kW at 4000rpm, and a maximum torque of 310Nm at 1800 to 2800rpm.

Under controlled testing, the H5 2.0 VGT's fuel consumption was 7l /100km, the company says.

The fuel tank has a 74l capacity (70l on the H5 Auto Diesel).

A six-gear manual gearbox can be found on the H5 2.0 VGT, while the H5 auto diesel has five gears.

The H5 has a lot in common with its petrol H5 counterpart. And this is where the SUV scores handsomely.

Standard features included power steering, dual climate control with pollen filter, electric windows and electronic side mirrors, remote central locking with vehicle search function and six-speaker RDS radio with DVD player/MP3 player/USB/Aux.

There are also front and rear fog lights, dual front airbags, reverse park assist camera with audible warnings, light sensing auto headlights, steering mounted audio controls and Bluetooth, leather seats and door inserts, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever knob, centre console touch screen media centre, adjustable steering column, 60/40 split rear seats and full-sized spare wheel.

Wow, what a specification list!

As far as safety is concerned, the SUV has ABS with EBD, airbags and child seat Isofix fixtures, auto-locking of all doors at 15km/h, side impact safety bars, front pre-tension seatbelts with load limiters and a child safety locking mechanism.

The vehicle has a three-year/100000km warranty and two-year 24-hour Roadside Assist service.

If you can live with the turbo lag, the H5 is good value for money.

It is too early to predict the vehicle's residual value and the overall picture can only be judged once this is available.

The Specs:

GWM H5 Diesel 4x4

Engine: four-cylinder 2.0l turbodiesel

Power: 110kW at 4000rpm,

Torque: 310Nm at 1800 to 2800 rpm.

Top Speed: 160km/h

Acceleration: 0 to 100km/h 15.2 seconds

Fuel Consumption. 7l /100km (claimed)

CO2: 240g/km, (199g/km petrol)

Price: H5 Auto Diesel 4x2 R264990; H5 Auto Diesel 4x4 R284990

We like:

Value for money

We don't like:

The turbo lag

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