SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW: New Haval H6 comes into focus

Set to show off a new look and new features at the 2017 Shanghai motor show in mid-April, the second-generation Haval H6 is expected to come to Australia in due course.

Local timing for the 2018 H6 is not yet clear, says the Aussie importer, but expect more details to emerge at the Shanghai show.

Sporting a new platform, a new design and new features, the all-new mid-size SUV has a smoother, more contemporary aesthetic. It's 40mm shorter but 40mm wider, which provides the car with a "stronger, tougher" look, says the company.

The replacement for the existing Haval H6 will also offer a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine, although Haval Motors Australia's expects that engine will be for China only, so expect the vehicle's current drive-away price of $29,990 to be maintained when packaged with the 2.0-litre motor.

The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with 145kW/315Nm will remain for Australia, but both engines will be paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) from Getrag.

Haval has gifted the 2018 H6 with a fancy interior renovation, sporting a futuristic twin-tier horizontal dashboard design, along with an Audi-esque gearshifter and infotainment input system.

A fully digitised instrument cluster looms large in front of the driver, providing high-res speedo and rev counters, and a large 12-inch infotainment screen is also part of the update. The company says the "integrated mobile media interface" has been enhanced too.

Not unlike Korean brands Kia and Hyundai enlisting design talent from Europe in the form of ex-Audi designer Peter Schreyer, Great Wall Motors (Haval's parent company) has installed Pierre Leclercq as global design director. He has worked for Ford and BMW in the past.

"Replacing a very successful product is always a difficult task. As our best-selling vehicle, it was vital the customer stayed our number one priority during the development of this second generation H6," said the design chief.

"When you work on a new platform, you have the chance to work on proportions. And proportions are key to the dynamic of the vehicle and its stance on the road.

"The new H6 is 40mm shorter than today's H6 and it is 40mm wider. Coupled with a front end that is higher than the previous version, it gives the vehicle a much stronger, tougher look.

"The H6 is a great family SUV. But it doesn't mean it should be boring or static. We worked hard to achieve a silhouette that is very dynamic."

Pitched as a luxury SUV, the H6 was launched in Australia in 2016. Haval wants to be a 'disruptive' brand in this country, offering high levels of luxury at prices far lower than Japanese and European rivals.

Yet to find mainstream acceptance in Australia, Haval sold a total of just 286 vehicles here in 2016, with the compact H2 the top-seller with 132 sales. The H6 tied for second place with the larger H8, both with 57 sales, while the range-topping Haval H9 found 40 buyers.

"We're delighted to see what the future holds for Haval in Australia," said Haval Motors Australia's public relations and product specialist, Andrew Ellis.

"The new H6 obviously takes cues from the HR-02 concept shown in Beijing last year and it's obvious Pierre is having a big influence on the brand.

"We will be sending a small delegation to the Shanghai show in April for the launch and will hopefully learn more about the potential for the new H6 in Australia at that time," said Ellis.