GWM adds a funky crossover to range

Its trendy design and feature-packed cabin are not the only attractions. The C20R is the first GWM to be offered with a three year and 45 000 kilometre service plan as standard.

Based on the company’s popular C10 hatchback, the C20R can be easily distinguised by its striking new front grille and airdam design with integrated foglamps, black wheelarch liners, roof rails and SUV-themed front and rear skid plates in a contrasting silver colour. The C20R comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels and is not only well suited to the rough and tumble of city driving, but also the occasional gravel road on the way to the weekend getaway.

The C20R will be offered locally in a range of exciting colours, including fashionable orange, ocean blue, maple red, pearl black, sky silver and titanium white. Quality, luxury features and flexibility are not always the norms in the compact car segment, but the C20R has all those bases covered.

The driver’s seat is adjustable for height and so is the steering wheel, ensuring a comfortable driving positiong is easily attainable. Air-conditioning, electric power steering, electric window and mirror adjustment, remote audio controls, height-adjustable headlamps, rear-park assist and a radio/CD/MP3 sound system with auxiliary and USB inputs are also part of the package.

The boot features a handy double-floor design and the rear seats can not only fold forward, but also offer reclining and fore/aft sliding functionality. The overall design theme in the cabin is one of sportiness and quality, best evidenced by the aluminium-look pedals, cylindrical instrumention and tactile nature of the curvy facia.

GWM’s proven 1.5 litre petrol engine with variable-valve timing powers the C20R. This engine offers exceptional refinement and delivers 77 kW at 6 000 rpm and 138 Nm of torque at 4 200 rpm.

Power goes to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. The engine not only endows the C20R with enough power to take that gap in the traffic, but also with good fuel efficiency.

A combined cycle fuel economy figure of 7.7 litres/100 kilometres is claimed for this model, resulting in a carbon emissions figure of 179 g/km.

Driver and passenger safety is provided by a full suite of safety systems and features. Dual airbags are fitted at the front, disc brakes all-round, and the sophisticated ABS system is supported by electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assistance (EBA). Isofix child-seat anchorages are provided at the rear and the doors feature child-lock protection.

The front seatbelts are height-adjustable and to ensure that your C20R stays exactly where you left it, an alarm and immobiliser are fitted as standard. Further boosting security (and convenience) is remote control central locking.

The C20R is available through GWM’s comprehensive dealership network. Priced at R154 900 (including VAT and emissions tax), the C20R is backed by a comprehensive three-year or 100 000 kilometre warranty, two-year/24-hour roadside assistance and, for the first time, a service plan of three-years/45 000 kilometres.