Haval recently launched their new H6 GT in Hout Bay, Cape Town. That would naturally entail some quality time with it along one of the most stunning drivers’ roads… (pause for great emphasis) in the world. Enter Chapman’s Peak and a GT-styled SUV from China.
You’re looking at the coupe iteration of the H6 SUV – so sleeker and ergo sportier than the regular H6. Its dynamic exterior comes with gaping exhaust tips and purposeful spoilers and diffusers. Styling is subjective, but I like it. To those who say Haval have tried too hard in this area, I don’t agree. The design shows some restraint, and is not just a mess of creases and lines competing for attention. There’s balance here, consideration and overall, I reckon it’s going to be the target of much rubber necking. But I can’t help wondering whether it has the bite to match. I can report that there’s a turbo 2.0-litre engine brandishing 155kW and 325Nm under the hood. And that it has been paired with Haval’s 7-speed dual-clutch auto, before sending its payload to all four wheels. So, a grippy street machine then, and one with a Race Mode. Ambitious. But is it good? The winding coastal road revealed a heavy helm with a decent amount of communication, a suspension that felt on par with offerings from South Korea (in my humble opinion) and an eager powertrain that was more than a handful for the tight course. As the road straightened between Noordhoek and Simon’s Town, I had the opportunity to further stretch its legs. I enjoyed the drive more than I thought I would, think warm hatchback with a slightly raised vantage point and you’ve got it.
The sporty cabin boasts green trim and needlework, heated alcantara seats and a customizable digital gauge cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment screen featuring the frankly mandatory Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As such its well-appointed. And safe, filled to the rafters in fact with the accompanying tech.
I bought a Haval, now what?
Haval are planning to launch ten more vehicles (globally) in the next twelve months, two new brands, and 30 new dealerships. And frankly, it needs to in order to continue to win over the hearts of South African consumers. In my humble opinion, all it takes to be successful is to produce SUVs that look great, feel fancy inside, and have Android Auto or Apple Carplay. That’s most of the modern motoring experience right there – at least, it’s the tactile ownership experience. The H6 GT nails this brief and then some, but that doesn’t change the fact that still as a journo, I’m constantly asked how I feel about buying Chinese. A victim of the long enduring negative stigma of ‘Made in China’, I guess. I’ve recommended Havals in the past with glowing success. Similarly, I’ve recommended a rival Chinese product once (don’t ask me which one at this point) and the after sales experience let the owner down in a very big way. But there’s a reason why you see so many Havals, GWMs, Cherys etc. on the road. And why, you might soon see a slew of H6 GTs. That is, if consumers can get behind its sticker price of R629,900. That’s almost VW GTI money for a slower, Chinese SUV and I only make the comparison because of that price and the fact that one of them has a legacy and pedigree and the other does not. What the H6 GT does however have going for it is being the right product at the right time, and on my 100km coastal drive at least, not putting a foot wrong. Will that be enough for you?
