H6's Bold Bid for Supremacy

HAVAL: WITH MORE POWER, PLUSH INTERIORS, GWM'S FLAGSHIP SUV IS REWRITING THE RULES

- Jaco van der Merwe

If you apply the logic that the GWM Haval H6 grew up during its previous iteration, then the latest version represents a grandiose coming of age. Although the recent changes applied to the model that debuted locally in 2021 are only regarded as a facelift, it includes a very healthy selection of exterior and interior enhancements, as well as a powertrain upgrade.

We recently spent a week in the H6 2.0 T-GDI Ultra Luxury 4WD, which at R614,500 is the range's top non-hybrid model.

Starting under the bonnet, the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine now produces 170kW of power and 380Nm of torque, an uptick of 20kW/60Nm from before. The twist is sent to all four corners via a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission that replaces the seven-speed box from before.

The numbers speak for themselves. Not that long ago, anything in this segment with those kinds of outputs would have sported some sort of performance badge.

Despite some low-down lag, the engine delivers brisk acceleration once you hit the peak rev range between 1700 and 4000rpm.

But as soon as you start getting too greedy on the accelerator, wheel spin comes into play on uneven surfaces.