Australians might be familiar with the Chinese Great Wall utes. Great Wall also has another brand name Haval which sells a range of SUVs. David Brown has been testing their latest.
Haval’s latest model is an update of their large H9 seven seat SUV. The previous model wasn’t bad but needed a few refinements. The latest model is certainly better.
It has a modest sized 2 litre four cylinder petrol engine with a surprising 180 kw coupled to an eight-speed gear box which full four wheel drive.
Plenty of safety and comfort features – the top of the line Ultra even has a massage function in the front seats.
The base model is $42,000 and the Ultra $47,000 drive away.
The Chinese are doing what the Japanese did 30 or more years ago only in a quicker time frame.
David’s boyhood passion for motor cars did not immediately lead to a professional role in the motor industry. A qualified Civil Engineer he specialised in traffic engineering and transport planning.
What followed were various positions including being seconded to a government think-tank for the planning of transport firstly in Sydney and then for the whole of NSW. After working with the NRMA and as a consultant he moved to being an independent writer and commentator on the broader areas of transport and the more specific areas of the cars we drive.
His half hour motoring program “Overdrive” has been described as an “informed, humorous and irreverent look at motoring and transport from Australia and overseas”. It is heard on 22 stations across Australia. He does weekly interviews with several ABC radio stations and is also heard on commercial radio in Sydney.
David has written for metropolitan and regional newspapers and has presented regular segments on metropolitan and regional television stations. David is also a contributor for AnyAuto
Hyundai’s all new Santa Fe Highlander seven-seat AWD SUV has in some ways redefined the benchmark offering in the family 7 seat wagon market. Our test included a selection of roads including freeway, back roads, gravel and some poorly maintained forest trails. What impressed the most was its composure and quietness. [Read More]
The fourth generation Sportage is better in all aspects than the previous model and that is saying something. As a mid-sized AWD SUV it is quiet, smooth to drive, has a quality spacious interior ambience and enough design to differentiate itself [Read More]
Mercedes-Benz will be showing a compact premium-class SUV at the “Auto Shanghai” motor show (21 to 29 April 2013) in the form of its Concept GLA. The Concept GLA combines dynamic styling with clear benefits for recreational use. [Read More]