[ad_1]
By automotive personnel 
2h ago
JOHANNESBURG – GWM is hoping to shake some feathers in the one-ton bakkie market with the launch of an entirely new product that is bigger and more sophisticated than anything we’ve seen from the Chinese brand so far.
However, the local importer has had to overcome a naming hurdle following the announcement that the models for global markets would be called ‘Poer’. Not only does it sound similar to ‘poor’ when pronounced in English, but perhaps it also looks a bit like a certain colorful word in Afrikaans.
Without losing the humor of the situation, GWM South Africa has announced that its new bakkie will be called ‘Series P’ in South Africa. However, he also saw fit to explain that the name ‘Poer’ should actually be pronounced as ‘power’ and that it was inspired by the Chinese character Poe, whose name can be translated as ‘Cannon’.
2 liter turbodiesel engine for SA
While the bakkie is equipped with a 2-liter turbo engine in most foreign markets, GWM SA has confirmed that local variants will receive an all-new 2-liter turbodiesel that features a variable vortex intake manifold. The company has yet to confirm production figures, but Australian media reports have been throwing out figures of 120 kW and 400 Nm.
Wide range of models
GWM SA has also confirmed to us that the P Series will be offered in 16 different variants, including single cab and double cab, 4×2 and 4×4, and manual and automatic.
Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but the company promises it will be “enthusiastic,” offering more value for money than buyers in the segment.
Notable features, depending on model, include a tailgate-mounted folding ladder, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, blind spot monitoring, and voice-controlled infotainment.
The launch event in South Africa is planned for the end of November, and GWM says the first units will hit the show floors soon after.
Watch this space for more information as it becomes available.
IOL Engine
[ad_2]
