With more than 32,000 sales in Australia, the Haval H6 has never been backward at
coming forward. And that’s not about to change anytime soon if the brand’s first plug-in
electric vehicle is anything to go by.
PHEVs have been slow to take off, but with ballooning fuel prices, climate change
through fossil-fuel pollution and the ever-present driver albatross of ‘range anxiety’,
things are changing.
And the new H6GT, with its bumper 35.4kWh battery, has gone straight to the top of the
segment with an electricity-only range, with zero emissions, of up to 180km, almost
twice that of its nearest rival. This is backed up by a combined ICE/hybrid distance of
more than 1000 kilometres. Lux and Ultra models share the new-gen line-up.
Priced at $55,990 driveaway, maker GWM claims ‘exhilarating performance’ from the
Ultra PHEV, via the brand’s new Hi4 Hybrid Intelligent AWD, with a sprint from zero to
100km/h in a nippy 4.8 seconds. The vehicle offers varied charging options from 30 to
80 per cent, via AC (6.6kW), or DC (48kW), in as little as 26 minutes.
This new flagship comes as part of a significant H6 upgrade inside and out, with entry-
level Lux variant, a 2-litre turbocharged front-wheel drive, coming to market for $35,990
driveaway.
All are covered by GWM’s seven-year unlimited new car warranty, eight-year unlimited
kilometre battery pack warranty, five-year 24hr roadside assistance and five-year
capped price servicing through GMW’s network of dealerships.
STYLING
The H6GT AWD flies the flag for Haval’s SUV range with a premium design language,
including an expansive cascading radiator grille with dark finish ‘proudly’ showcasing a
bold iteration of the brand’s logo.
A vertical layout of LED daytime running lights support the vehicle’s upright stance,
while the sloping coupe-style roof, as opposed to the H6 standard SUV square shape,
bears witness to the GT suffix.
Side-on, new black wheelarch cladding runs from front to rear, combining with new 19-
inch multi-spoke black alloy wheels. Gone are chrome splashes in favour of a cleaner,
modern, minimalist look.
At the rear, the full width light bar has been ousted in favour of a more contemporary
array of angled individual taillights. Centrally situated between the lamps the Haval
badge has been replaced by G-W-M, reflecting the move to its unified GMW brand
identity.
The rear reno introduces a power tailgate to the H6, that can be easily operated at the
push or a button, or with a kick motion beneath the bumper.
INTERIOR
A 50mm increase in body length gives the cabin added room, while a shift of the gear
selector to the steering column frees up the centre console for more storage and
wireless phone charger.
The steering wheel has been reworked to offer a thicker profile with indentations at the
10 and 2 o’clock positions to improve grip and comfort on longer drives. An automatic
parking brake adds to convenience.
Premium materials and finishes to the minimalist décor features a new luxurious cream
interior option adding the personal touch to proceedings. The changes, while small, are
testament to GWM’s broader focus on the driver throughout the cabin.
INFOTAINMENT
A ‘heart transplant’ for the H6 has come via the GT’s instrument layout, the centre of
which lies a 14.6-inch infotainment screen powered by GWM’s latest-generation
operating system delivering faster processing speeds and more intuitive access. The
latter is debatable.
A fixture in other GWM models, including the Tank series the system supports wireless
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enabling smartphone mirroring and cable-free access
to sat nav, media and communications.
In front of the driver is a 10.25-inch high-res digital instrument cluster with new visuals
already seen in Tank models displaying driving information in three key segments. A
360-degree surround view monitor, with see-through chassis offers visibility for safe
manoeuvring.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The plug-in hybrid powertrain is exclusive to the Ultra grade in all-wheel drive, coming
up with a strong, refined, yet efficient performance. The 1.5-litre unit, mated with GMW’s
Dedicated Hybrid Transmission, produces 110kW and 230Nm.
Complementing this are three powerful motors – two up front and one at the rear.
Integrated with the 4WD system, the latter an independent 135kW and 232Nm, the
combination delivering more than 1000km range.
SAFETY
Fitted with the latest active and passive safety systems the Haval H6GT is designed to
look after occupants and other road users to the best of automotive ability. Advanced
technology such as Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, lane keep assist, traffic sign
recognition and traffic jam assist seamlessly support the driver.
Adding to core safety are autonomous emergency braking, blind spot detection, rear
cross traffic assist and lane departure warning. Convenience is enhanced by auto
parking assist and for Ultra parking sensors all round.
Seven airbags – two front, two side, two curtain and one centre – cover all seating
positions and Isofix child restraints and driver fatigue monitor cap off the cabin.
DRIVING
In place of a standard transmission the Haval H6GT relies on a two-speed system that
predominantly powers the vehicle up to around 80km/h before the ICE chips in, so take-
off is all but silent, without being rubber ripping.
Switching into full steam is all but seamless, with the engine making itself noticed with
only a restrained growl. A selection of drive modes is called up via the touchscreen.
Close by is a power mode setting, which allows the choice between EV, EV priority and
Intelligent Hybrid going.
As far as power consumption is concerned the test car on a motorway run recorded
18.0kWh per 100 kilometres, which is acceptable for a vehicle of its heft. With the
battery depleted, GWM suggests the hybrid mode will come up with 5.4 litres per 100
kilometres of fuel use. The test car bettered that with 4.9 litres of petrol per 100
kilometres.
The slick(ish) off-the-line sprint (GWM suggests 4.9 sec to 100km/h) is subject to
handling stresses on corners, mainly due to its mid-size SUV bulk, so it’s probably best
to back off.
SUMMARY
For a first effort at a plug-in hybrid the Haval H6GT Ultra is up with the best in
performance but not in its infotainment communication with the driver.
RATINGS
Looks – 8
Performance – 6
Safety – 7
Thirst – 6
Practicality – 7
Comfort – 6
Tech – 6
Value – 8
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Haval H6GT PHEV Ultra AWD 1.5 turbo petrol $55,990
Note: price driveaway.
SPECIFICATIONS (Haval H6GT Ultra 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol, hybrid, AWD)
ENGINE
Configuration: four cylinders inline
Maximum power 110kW @ 5500-6000rpm
Maximum torque 230Nm
Front electric motor 110kW
Rear electric motor 135kW
Rear motor 232Nm
Combined 342kW
Maximum torque: 230Nm @ 1500-4000rpm
Combined 762Nm
Fuel type: Unleaded 91 RON
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 1.1L/100km
BATTERY: 35.4kWh
Range 180km (full electric)
DRIVELINE: Four-cylinder turbo petrol Twin electric motors, Hi4 AWD
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4703mm
Width: 1886mm
Height: 1730mm
Wheelbase: 2738mm:
Turning circle: 12.0m
Kerb weight: 2075kg
Fuel tank: 55L
BRAKES
Front: Disc
Rear: Disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Seven years / unlimited kilometres
Eight years / unlimited warranty battery pack
Five years capped price servicing and roadside assist
