Three-pronged Great Wall Ute range arrives in Aus

Great Wall Motor (GWM) Australia has announced full pricing and specification for its all-new three-variant Ute 4x4 dual-cab pick-up range, which arrives in showrooms this month priced from $33,990 driveaway for the entry-level Cannon.

The mid-spec Cannon-L asks $37,990 driveaway, while the Cannon-X tops the range at $40,990 driveaway.

Its new pricing moves the Ute a long way upmarket from the budget-oriented Steed workhorse it replaces, which was priced between $17,990 and $30,990 driveaway with the choice of single- or dual-cab body styles and 4x2 or 4x4 drivelines.

The pricing structure still makes the Ute one of the most value-oriented in its segment, with competition coming from the likes of the LDV T60 ($30,516-$42,095 d/a), Mahindra Pik-Up dual-cab 4x4 ($32,990 d/a) and SsangYong Musso ($30,490-$39,990 plus on-roads).

GWM Australia has foregone the more affordable single-cab and 4x2 variants, choosing only to bring the more popular and lifestyle-oriented 4x4 dual-cab grades.

The new GWM Ute measures in 5410mm long, 1934mm tall and 1886mm wide with a 3230mm wheelbase, making it marginally larger than the equivalent Toyota HiLux in all dimensions.

Ground clearance is pegged at 194mm, with the Ute riding on double-wishbone front and leaf-sprung rear suspension.

Stopping power comes from four-wheel disc brakes.

All versions of the Ute are powered by the same engine – namely a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder mill producing 120kW/400Nm, driving all four wheels exclusively via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Fuel economy is pegged at 9.4 litres per 100km, while off-roading is aided by a low-range transfer case, Torque On Demand tech, hill descent control, hill start assist and a rear differential lock.

The diesel mill’s outputs are down slightly on the 4x4 pick-up industry standard – somewhere around 140kW/450Nm – which likely contributes to the Ute’s targeted 3000kg braked towing capacity (pending homologation), down 500kg on the segment leaders.

The Chinese car-maker has indicated in the past that it plans to introduce a larger-displacement diesel engine at some point, with a targeted torque figure of around 480-500Nm.

GWM has not skimped on safety equipment for the Ute, with all variants set to feature autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring, reversing camera, passenger-side kerbside camera, rear parking sensors and seven airbags.

The entry-level Cannon is identifiable from the outside by its 18-inch alloys, automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights, foglights with auto steering function, body-coloured bumpers, wheelarches and mirrors, power-adjustable door mirrors, side steps and a sharkfin antenna.

Inside, the Cannon scores a 9.0-inch LCD touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 3.5-inch colour instrument cluster display, Eco Leather upholstery, air conditioning, steering wheel controls and paddle shifters, 12V power outlet, two front and one rear USB port, keyless entry and push-button start.

Next up, the mid-spec Cannon-L introduces premium 18-inch wheels, a sports bar, spray-in tubliner, easy up/down tailgate, a cargo ladder, chrome front grille, door handles and mirrors, electric folding door mirrors and roof racks.

It also scores a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, automatic climate control with rear AC vents, front parking sensors, surround-view monitor, privacy glass, anti-glare rearview mirror and a 220V power outlet.

The top-spec Cannon-X adds leather upholstery, tilt/slide adjustable steering, 7.0-inch colour instrument cluster display, wireless charging, four-way adjustable passenger seat, power assist steering modes, door open warning, second-row 60/40 fold seat and voice recognition.

All Ute models come with a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and five years of roadside assist.

To the end of October, GWM Australia has sold a combined 1485 vehicles, up 26.1 per cent over the same period in 2019.

2020 GWM Ute driveaway pricing