Known as the Chitu or red rabbit in China, the Pro becomes the new flagship Haval Jolion model. Image: GWM
A smash-hit success since its market debut three years ago, Great Wall Motors (GWM) has officially divulged specification details and price of the updated Jolion range, now comprising two models.
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Announced at the brand’s product roll-out event in February, the split involves the existing Jolion continuing as the renamed Jolion City, and the sportier Chitu – meaning red rabbit – debuting as the upscale Jolion Pro.
Similar to Volkswagen with the Polo and Polo Vivo, the Jolion City becomes the new entry-level model in a range reduced to three variants with the previous City, Premium and Super Luxury grades falling away and the Luxury becoming a limited edition model.
Redesigned to incorporate the same air vents below the headlights as the Jolion Pro, the Jolion City also joins its sibling in having the Haval corporate logo on the tailgate replaced by a block letter GWM badge as part of the overall restructuring of all models under the GWM brand.
Unlike in Australia, both will be sold without any actual GWM reference, meaning the actual names will still be Haval Jolion City and Haval Jolion Pro instead of GWM Haval Jolion.
Dimensionally unchanged from the pre-facelift model, with boot space still rated between 337 and 1 133-litres, the Jolion City also loses the sporty S and HEV hybrid variants in favour of retaining the turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine that produces 105kW/210Nm.
In the unbadged base model, the amount of twist goes to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, while the step-up Plus and Luxury, of which only 120 will be made, make do with a seven-speed dual-clutch.
On the specification side, the base City’s features comprise a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a four-speaker sound system, four USB ports, all-around electric windows, 17-inch alloy wheels and black cloth seats.
Also standard are:
Stepping-up to the Plus and Luxury brings dual-zone climate control with rear vents as opposed to the conventional air-conditioning, roof rails, an imitation leather-wrapped steering wheel and Hill Descent Control.
Included on the Luxury, which indirectly replaces the S, are 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, leatherette upholstery and commemorative badging of which no details were disclosed.
For the Jolion Pro, the exterior differences go further as apart from boot space being less – between 291-litres and 952-litres for the petrol and 255-litres to 916-litres for the hybrid – its dimensions are also different.
Compared to the City, the Pro measures two millimetres shorter at 4 470 mm long, 84 mm wider at 1 898 mm wide and six millimetres taller at 1 625 mm. Unchanged is the 2 700 mm wheelbase.
Also different is the suspension layout with the City utilising MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear, while the Pro retains the former but eschews the latter for an independent multi-link design.
On the model front, the Jolion Pro range spans five derivatives and three trim levels with a choice of two powerplants, one being a hybrid connected to GWM’s Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) as opposed to the seven-speed dual-clutch used on all the other versions.
Powering the Premium, Super Luxury and Ultra Luxury, the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine from the Jolion City has been retained with the same 105kW/210Nm outputs, which increases to 130kW/270Nm in the Ultra Luxury S.
For the HEV, also in Ultra Luxury spec, the 1.5 develops 140kW/370Nm as a result of the inclusion of an electric motor and battery pack of unspecified capacity and outputs.
As for specification, the Premium features 17-inch alloy wheels, fabric seats, four airbags, the 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a four-speaker sound system, all-around electric windows with one-touch function for the driver, and electric mirrors.
Expanding this further are;
Upgrading to the Super Luxury brings LED headlights and a panoramic sunroof, 18-inch alloy wheels and roof rails, imitation leather upholstery and a seven-inch digital instrument cluster in place of the 3.5-inch display that comes standard on the Premium and on all three Jolion City models
Furthering the Super Luxury are;
Concluding the Jolion Pro, all three Ultra Luxury variants are equipped with remote closing windows, an electrically adjustable passenger’s side, rear parking sensors, Lane Keep Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and a surround-view camera system.
Exclusive to the HEV though is a wireless smartphone charger and heated as well as ventilated front seats.
On the colour front, the Jolion City offers a choice of five hues; Hamilton White, Sun Black, Mars Red, HB Blue and Light Ayers Grey.
For the Jolion Pro, both Mars Red and HD Blue are omitted, the latter replaced by a different blue called HD Blue.
Included with each Jolion City and Pro’s price tag is a five-year/100 000 km warranty as well as a five-year/75 000 km service plan.
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