GWM POER 300

Chinese firm introduces hard-working diesel pick-up truck for just £31k

- JACK WARRICK

The slew of Chinese cars being launched in the UK seems to be neverending, but they're usually electric crossovers, not diesel-engined pickup trucks like Great Wall Motor’s new Poer 300 (pronounced ‘power’) here.

It has been on sale since 2022 in Australia and New Zealand, where it’s known as the Cannon. While the Poer name is an odd choice for the UK, at least GWM didn’t call it Wingle, which appears on one of its other pickups in China.

The Poer 300 expands GWM’s UK model range to three, following the Ora 03 electric hatchback (formerly known as the Ora Funky Cat) and Haval Jolion Pro hybrid crossover.

It’s the first pickup to be sold here by GWM since the Steed (2013-2016), which was cheap and practical but also terrible to drive.

Things are much better in the Poer 300. Solely available with a double-cab body, its mechanical makeup is fairly conventional. Power comes from a 2.4-litre four cylinder turbo diesel engine that produces 181bhp and 354lb ft of torque and is managed by a nine-speed automatic gearbox. All the usual off-road equipment is standard: switchable four-wheel drive, a low-range gearbox and a rear locking differential.

In the main, the standard equipment list is impressive; a Steed this is not. Wireless phone charging, keyless entry, a 12.3in touchscreen infotainment system, automatic headlights, climate control and parking sensors are all available from the outset. Unlike many of its rivals, the Poer 300 also offers an integrated step up to the load bed, which drops down from just above the rear numberplate and makes loading the truck easier. Cargo capacity here is rated at over a tonne.