Previewed at its future product roll-out gala in February, Great Wall Motors (GWM) has officially released full details of its mammoth Shanhai Cannon bakkie South Africa will get to know as the P500. The brand’s flagship in China above the Poer, known locally as the P-Series, and the intermediate but local market forbidden King Kong Cannon, the P500 also becomes the most expensive bakkie made in the People’s Republic to be sold in South Africa, albeit fractionally below R1-million for the top-spec Ultra Luxury. Fundamentals Exclusively available as a double cab and with four-wheel-drive, the Ford F-150-sized P500 measures 5 445 mm long, 1 991 mm wide and 1 924 mm high with its wheelbase stretching 3 350 mm.
Although payload wasn’t disclosed, the P500 has a claimed towing capacity of 3 500 kg, plus a ground clearance of 224 mm. Standard across all models are 18-inch alloy wheels, a low range transfer case with torque-on-demand, a locking rear differential, a drive model selector with three settings; Eco, Normal and Sport, and a front locking differential on all but the base model. ALSO READ: WATCH: First look at GWM’s new flagship P500 bakkie Debuting as another first, but not on the range-opening model, the multi-function tailgate opens two ways; the conventional drop-down as standard, or in a split barn door style similar to the Fiat Toro in South America .
Loaded with spec and tech Not detailed at the February pre-launch , the now confirmed P500 range spans three mo.