Can GWM take on Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger with powerful new P500?

The Chinese truck manufacturer, GWM, has unveiled a new powerful pickup, the GWM P500, which aims to compete with established names like Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger in the South African market. GWM, a well-known brand in the region, has a long history of producing reliable bakkies, and its sales numbers consistently place it among the top five manufacturers. Pricing has been a concern, as previous GWM P500 models had starting prices of around R800,000 to R1 million, with limited power and fuel efficiency.

The upgraded P500 now starts at a more competitive R724,900 and goes up to R799,900, coupled with a more powerful 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine. This engine delivers 170kW of power and 620Nm of torque, making it the most powerful four-cylinder turbodiesel available in South Africa off a showroom floor. The truck's launch also emphasized its focus on comfort, with a spacious cab and a ride quality that is neither too soft nor too harsh.

The GWM P500 features a 14.6-inch touchscreen powered by GWM's in-house Coffee Operating System 3.0, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a Heads-Up Display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, premium leather-covered seats with various comfort features, and advanced safety technologies like Intelligent Cruise Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Autonomous Emergency Braking.

GWM's marketing head, Floyd Ramabulana, stated that the new engine directly responds to customer demand for greater performance without compromising comfort. The P500 also comes with a comprehensive GWM ownership package, including a seven-year/200,000km warranty, seven-year/unlimited km roadside assistance, and a seven-year/75,000km service plan.