Haval here this year

Premium Chinese SUV brand Haval has today revealed it will introduce itself to the Australian market with the release of the large H8 crossover in December.

The luxury sub-brand of Great Wall Motors, which unceremoniously withdrew the H8 from sale in China in May following issues with its six-speed automatic transmission, will then release the smaller H2 and larger H9 in Australia.

Pricing and full model details will not be released until early December, but it's understood Haval vehicles will be distributed here directly by a subsidiary of the Chinese company – Melbourne-based Haval Motors Australia -- rather than Ateco Automotive, which imports Great Wall vehicles.

With Great Wall sales down more than 55 per cent to 2224 so far this year, Ateco has also decided not to introduce the pint-size VX10 city-car in Australia, leaving the Chinese brand represented here only by the X-series SUV and V-series utes.

However, Haval has big plans Down Under, judging by its newly launched Australian website, which says the stylish H8 will be followed by the equally attractive H2 small crossover and the full-size H9 SUV.

The H2 will be a rival for compact SUVs like the Ford EcoSport, Holden Trax, Hyundai ix35 and Nissan QASHQAI, while the H9 will compete with large off-road wagons like the Toyota Prado, Holden Colorado 7 and Ford upcoming Everest.

The H8, meantime, is around the same size as the Toyota Kluger at 4807mm long, 1975mm wide and 1794mm high, with a 2915mm wheelbase.

Both (rear-drive) 2WD and AWD configurations will be available in two specification grades – Standard and Luxury.

All models will be powered by a Euro 5 emissions-compliant turbocharged direct-injection 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 160kW of power at 5500rpm and 324Nm of torque between 2000 and 4000rpm, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Rear suspension is via multi-links, while double-wishbones reside up front and all models come with six airbags (twin front, front-side, and curtains), electronic stability/traction control, antiskid brakes, hill start assist and hill descent control, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors and tyre pressure monitoring.

Entry-level Standard variants will be generously specified, including 18-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, automatic xenon headlights and fog lights with cornering function.

Inside, all models will offer an eight-inch colour touch-screen, leather trim, power front seats, a leather-clad multi-function steering wheel with paddle shifters, nine-speaker sound with AUX, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, three-zone climate-control, automatic wipers, keyless starting and a sunroof.

In addition, Luxury grades add 19-inch alloys, adaptive xenon headlights with washers, a powered tailgate, an Infinity sound system, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, seat and mirror memory and a rear armrest.

There will also be a range of interior colour options, plus the availability of heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, massage seats, a front passenger leg rest and a rear DVD player.