Plug-in future for Haval in Australia

Haval's WEY P8 plug-in hybrid SUV embodies the future for the brand in Australia, according to Andrew Ellis, Public Relations and Product Specialist at Haval Australia.

"We've made it very clear to [the factory] that we think hybrid is a terrific opportunity for Haval in Australia – and Haval internationally," said Ellis, speaking exclusively with motoring.com.au.

"If we can bring in a well-priced plug-in hybrid, that could be the making of this brand."

But don't expect the P8 to be that game changer in Australia. The plug-in hybrid will be on show in Beijing next week as a WEY model, WEY being Haval's luxury SUV brand (what Range Rover is to Land Rover, by way of illustration).

"At the moment, WEY is purely China-only, whereas Haval is both China and international," Ellis explained.

There are no plans to bring the WEY brand to Australia, "because it is strictly left-hand drive only at this stage. That's probably what they'll take to the [United] States."

The importance of the P8, featuring a 2.0-litre petrol engine driving the front wheels and an 85kW electric motor driving the rear wheels, is the opportunity to use the powertrain in Haval models that are engineered for right-hand drive.

"At the moment [the P8 is] purely under the WEY brand, but that Pi4 technology/platform... that's what we'll be looking for, for Haval. It's a pointer to what it means for us.

"For us, this is the future for all powertrains and platforms..."

The P8, already available in China as a (non-plug-in) hybrid, is based on the WEY VV7, a seven-seat SUV, but the plug-in will seat five only, since the battery pack is under the boot floor, where a third-row seat is located in the VV7. In turn, the VV7 is based on Haval's H7 SUV, which is not currently sold in Australia.

Ellis believes the P8's plug-in technology could be scaled up or down for models from the H6 through to the H9. As yet, however, no plug-in Haval models have been confirmed, although the existence of the P8 and upcoming new legislation in China strongly suggests Haval must have plug-in models under development and close to launch.

"This [the P8] is [Haval's] first-ever plug-in hybrid, but... from next year 12 per cent of all the cars [from] every Chinese manufacturer... must meet the NEV requirement, which [mandates vehicles] at least partially powered by electricity," Ellis said, also explaining that the percentage of low-emissions or zero-emissions vehicles will increase every year.

So is Haval currently developing plug-in models, given the short lead time for the new legislation?

"That's what we're hoping to find out from our trip to Beijing next week [for the Beijing motor show]," Ellis continued.

"At the start of this year when [the factory] came back with their plans for the next few years, and they told us about the 2020 plan with the new platforms, their aim is that by 2022, one in every three Havals will be either pure electric or plug-in hybrid."

Notwithstanding the left-hook only design, it's possible the WEY models could come to Australia in the shorter term, possibly badged as Havals or in their own right, but Ellis simply couldn't say.

"I honestly don't know, and that's one of the things we're going to sit down with the product guy next week and literally find out."

When it was put to him that greater diversity of plug-in hybrid offerings in Australia could broaden the interest in the technology, Ellis agreed.

"Particularly if we could just bring it down to a good price. I think people want to [buy plug-ins], I think customers like the ones we speak to are very keen on hybrid, but at the moment... if you've got to pay $50K for it, you're not getting that much benefit over a conventional petrol car," he said.

The source country best placed to bring down the price of plug-in hybrids... "would be China," he confirmed.

The P8's four-cylinder engine drives through a six-speed Getrag dual-clutch transmission and the combined output from engine and rear-mounted electric motor is 250kW/524Nm. This is sufficient for the alternative-energy SUV to hit 100km/h from a standing start in 6.5 seconds. In full electric mode, the P8 can cover 50km without recharging, but using the engine to recharge the battery pack on the fly, the P8 can travel up to 660km. Recharging from a 220-Volt powerpoint takes seven hours.

At 4.8m in length and riding on a 2950mm wheelbase, the P8 will be available with either 20 or 21-inch wheels and will come equipped with panoramic sunroof, LCD instrument panel, premium sound system, nine-inch touch screen and leather seats with heating, massage and ventilation. Safety features available will comprise autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and a 360-degree camera.