Known as the Shanhai Cannon in China, the P500 appears capable to rival the Ford F-150 for size. Image: GWM
Previewed at its product roll-out gala event in February, Great Wall Motors (GWM) has officially released full details of its mammoth new Shanhai Cannon bakkie South Africa will get to know as the P500.
It’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.
Exclusively available as a double cab with four-wheel-drive, the seemingly 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.
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Debuting as another first, but not on the range-opener, the multi-function tailgate opens two ways; the conventional drop-down, or in a split barn door style similar to the Fiat Toro in South America.
Not detailed at the February pre-launch, the range spans three models and three trim levels; Luxury, Super Luxury and the mentioned Ultra Luxury motivated solely by a hybrid powertrain.
In terms of specification, the Luxury’s expansive sheet of features comprises a 360-degree surround-view camera system, a 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a split folding rear seat, six-speaker sound system, a transparent chassis view and a tyre pressure monitor.
It doesn’t stop there as GWM has also made the following available;
In the case of the step-up Super Luxury, the faux leather upholstery makes way for Nappa leather and the 12.3-inch display for GWM’s flagship 14.6-inch display.
Included for the electric mirrors are memory, heating and folding functions, plus an expanded level of adjustment for the front seats, now with heating, ventilation, massaging and what GWM calls a welcoming function.
Additional standard items include;
At the line-up’s summit, the Ultra Luxury boasts a secondary wireless charger at the back, expanded front and rear parking sensors, a heated steering wheel, what GWM calls rhythmic ambient lightning and in place of the six-speaker sound system, a 10-speaker Infinity audio.
The flagship also comes standard with;
On the power front, both the Luxury and Super Luxury derive motivation from GWM’s new 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 135kW/480Nm. The sole transmission option is a nine-speed automatic.
For the hybrid-only Ultra Luxury, the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine gains a 78kW/268Nm electric motor and battery pack for a total system output of 255kW/648Nm.
The setup used on the Tank 300 HEV, with the combustion engine delivering 180kW/380Nm on its own, the entire HEV or hybrid electric vehicle setup is paired to a unique nine-speed automatic ‘box that consumes 9.8 L/100 km of 95 versus the diesel’s 8.6 L/100 km.
On the colour side, a choice of five has been selected; Princess White, Knight Black, Duke Grey, Majesty Silver and Royal Red.
Included with each P500’s sticker price is a seven-year/200 000 km warranty, a five-year/75 000 km service plan and a eight-year/150 000 km battery warranty on the HEV.
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