The Chinese are making its way to Asia’s second largest auto industry (First is China and now is world’s largest, just tipping the former US auto Industry which ruled the number one position for years).
First Zotye along with Premier launched the Rio which was based on the Old Toyota RAV or the Daihatsu Terios platform. Then Force got in the ONE which is again based on the Guangdong Foday Explorer III which again is based on a older generation Ford Explorer platform.
Now in the pipeline is ICML which is planning to form a JV to launch the Great Wall brand of SUVs and pick-up trucks in the Indian market.
Recently the Haval 5 was caught testing in India.
When we had a brief chat with one of the senior officials at ICMLs he hinted to us about the possible launch of these vehicles in the Indian market. ” We are currently testing two products: One is an SUV, which is of the size of Force One and other is an pick-up truck which is on the line of Tata Xenon.”
The Haval 5 SUV and the Wingle pick-up truck (which we feel could make it ) will be powered by the new G-One Series diesel engine producing 120 bhp and a decent 300 plus Nm of torque.
More on the Haval 5 SUV
The Haval 5 has L 4649×1810×1745 (length × width × height (mm)) with a ground clearance of 180 (4×2) and 175 (4×4) and a wheelbase of 2700.
Internationally it is powered by a 2378cc In-line 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, water cooled, petrol engine and 2499cc In-line 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, water cooled, high pressure common rail, turbocharging disel engine.
The performance figures are:
| Engine | Petrol | Diesel |
| Maximum power output(Kw/rpm) | 100/5250 (136Ps) | 80/3600 (108Ps) |
| Maximum torque(N.m/rpm) | 200/2500-3000 | 300/1800-2400 |
Brakes are Disc at both ends and suspension is Double cross-arms type, independent suspension with torsion bar springs;5-link coil spring dependent suspension. The Haval 5 SUV is available in both 4×2 and 4×4 varaints.
Some of the feature highlights
- Remote Control Central Door Lock
- Leather-trimmed Steering with Bluetooth and stereo control
- Leather-trimmed Steering with Bluetooth and stereo control
- Rear Wiper and Automatic Front Wiper
- E-controlled Switch for 4WD
- ABS+EBD+TCS
- Anti-dazzle Interior Mirror
More on the Wingle Pick-up trucks
The Wingle pick-up truck is available in both the single cabin and Dual cabin option. We feel the Double cabin will make it first in India and the single cabin could be sold for commercial purposes.
The Wingle is available in three engine options:
- 2378cc Four-stroke, in-line, water-cooling, four-cylinder, multi-point injection petrol engine
- 2771cc 4-cylinder, in-line, water-cooling, turbo-charging, electric control direct injection diesel engine
- 2499cc 4-cylinder inline, Four-stroke, Water, OHV, Turbocharged and intercooled, DI, Common Rail Diesel Engine
The Wingle feature list includes:
- ABS+EBD
- Dual Airbag
- Remote Control Central Door Lock
- Leather-trimmed Steering Wheel
- Power Rear-view Mirror and many more
But how many of the features available in the Chinese variant will make it to India will depend on ICML and Great Wall.
