It is debatable whether we should be celebrating the growing girth of modern double cab bakkies, but for what it is worth, the new GWM P500 is a little larger than the established names. Slotting above the current GWM P-Series, which will soldier on as the P300, the new GWM P500 is available in three versions, with the 2,4-litre turbodiesel kicking things off at R799 900 in Luxury guise and R889 900 as a Super Luxury, and there’s a petrol-electric hybrid Ultra Luxury P500 topping the pile at R999 900. Keeping in mind that there are now numerous Hilux, Ranger and Amarok models surpassing the million rand mark.
But how big is the new GWM P500? Measuring 5 400mm in length and 1 991mm across, it eclipses Toyota’s Hilux (5 325mm and 1 900mm) as well as Ford’s Ranger (5 350 and 2 015), with the new Chinese contender’s nose-to-tail measurement and 3 350mm wheelbase is beaten only by the Jeep Gladiator. In diesel form, it is not as powerful as the establishment, however, with the 2,4-litre turbo unit pushing 135kW and 480Nm. The hybrid (HEV) pairs a 2,0-litre turbodiesel engine (180kW and 380Nm) with an electric motor (78kW and 268Nm) for combined outputs of 255kW and 648Nm.
Interestingly, the HEV is more about performance than it is about economy, with GWM claiming a not-too-impressive combined fuel consumption figure of 9,8 litres per 100km. The diesel is more efficient, at 8,6 l/100km. It is nonetheless the first fully-fledged hybrid bakkie on the market, as the Hilux 48V .