GWM South Africa has added a plug-in hybrid derivative to its P300 bakkie range, with the introduction of the P300 2.0T Hi4-T PHEV 9HAT. It is the first electrified model in the P300 line-up and pairs a 2,0-litre turbo petrol engine with an electric motor and a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The petrol engine produces 180 kW and 380 Nm, while the electric motor, integrated into the transmission, delivers 130 kW and 495 Nm. Combined system output is 310 kW and 750 Nm, sent to all four wheels.
GWM says the engine and electric motor work in parallel rather than relying primarily on electric power when the battery is charged. The electric motor provides immediate torque at lower speeds, with the petrol engine operating in its efficient range. This approach is intended to maintain performance when battery charge is low, including during long climbs and under heavy loads.
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Three power modes are available. Electric Mode uses battery power alone for shorter journeys, Hybrid Mode combines the petrol engine and electric motor for longer distance and highway driving, and Intelligent Mode allows the driver to manage battery state of charge between 30% and 80%. A Camping Mode reserves battery capacity for powering appliances and electrical equipment when off grid.
The P300 PHEV uses a 33,1 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery with short-blade laminated cells. GWM quotes an electric-only range of up to 115 km on the NEDC cycle and combined fuel consumption of 2,4 l/100 km.
The battery supports DC fast charging at up to 110 kW and can charge from 30% to 80% in about 18 minutes at normal temperatures. It is mounted on the frame rails, carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and has completed a 28-day salt-spray corrosion test. Vehicle-to-Load functionality supplies up to 6 kW when parked and 4 kW while driving through two outlets. The engine can recharge the battery automatically when charge runs low.
The vehicle retains a body-on-frame chassis with double-wishbone front suspension and a rigid rear axle using a 3+2 leaf-spring arrangement. A part-time four-wheel-drive system offers 2H, 4H and 4L settings, with low range providing a 2.64:1 torque multiplication ratio. An electronically controlled rear differential lock is standard, along with selectable drive modes, an All-Terrain Feedback System, Off-Road Expert Mode and underbody protection.
Ground clearance is 200 mm, with a 26-degree approach angle, a 23-degree departure angle that reduces to 21 degrees when a tow bar is fitted, and a 19-degree breakover angle. Braked towing capacity is 3 500 kg. A Trailer Driving Mode activates automatically when a trailer is connected, deactivating certain driver assistance functions and switching the powertrain to a towing calibration.
The P300 PHEV measures 5 416 mm long, 1 947 mm wide and 1 886 mm tall, with a 3 230 mm wheelbase. Exterior details include a black front grille, blacked-out headlamp and tail-lamp clusters, black door handles and mirror caps, black wheel arches and black alloy wheels with 265/60 R18 tyres and red brake callipers. Automatic LED headlamps with High Beam Assist, fixed side steps and a spray-in load-bin liner are standard. White is the standard colour, with Red, Blue, Silver, Grey and Black available as options.
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The cabin features a 15,6-inch 2,5K floating touchscreen with anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coatings, running on a 7 nm processor with 16 GB of memory and 128 GB of storage. A 10,25-inch digital instrument cluster sits alongside it. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice control and a 50 W wireless phone charger with a cooling fan are standard.
The front seats are leather-trimmed, heated and ventilated, with six-way electric adjustment for the driver and four-way for the passenger. The steering wheel is macrofibre-trimmed and heated. A sunroof, automatic climate control and rear air vents are also standard. GWM says more than 100 sound-deadening measures are used, and the rear seat has a 27-degree backrest angle.
Standard driver assistance is Level 2 and uses a high-definition front camera, four fisheye cameras, corner radars and ultrasonic sensors. Features include adaptive cruise control with intelligent cruise assist and traffic jam assist, automatic emergency braking with junction assist and pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keep assist, lane centering assist and emergency lane keeping, lane change assist, door open warning and rear cross-traffic alert with braking, driver fatigue monitoring, and a 360-degree panoramic view with 3D display and Transparent Chassis View.
Integrated Brake Control combines ani-lock braking, EBD, traction control, rollover mitigation and stability control, with Hill-Start Assist and Hill Descent Control. High-strength steel makes up more than 62% of the body, and six crash bags are fitted.
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Floyd Ramabulana, head of marketing at GWM South Africa, said the P300 PHEV opens a new chapter for the range. He said South African bakkie buyers have been clear that they will not compromise on towing, off-road ability or durability, and that with Hi4-T they do not have to. He described it as a bakkie that can commute on electricity during the week, tow 3 500 kg at the weekend and power a campsite on arrival.
The P300 PHEV is sold with a 7-year/200 000 km warranty, an 8-year/150 000 km high-voltage battery warranty, a 7-year/75 000 km service plan and 7-year/unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance. Service intervals are every 12 months or 15 000 km. The P300 D-CAB 2.0T Pioneer Hi4-T PHEV is priced at R914 900.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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