Recently, GWM POER Sahar was officially debuted in Australia. As Australia's first hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powered off-road pickup, the POER Sahar takes on the responsibility of elevating the GWM brand's premiumization while addressing the absence of high-end pickup offerings in the Australian market. During its launch and test drive, its remarkable performance received widespread praise from Australian media outlets.
When entering the Australian market, POER Sahar has two primary powertrain options to offer: one boasting robust hybrid power, while the other relies on diesel engines. The top-tier 2.0-liter turbocharged hybrid petrol engine delivers a comprehensive output power of 255 kilowatts and a torque of 648 Newton-meters. Meanwhile, the 2.4-liter turbocharged diesel engine offers a comprehensive output power of 135 kilowatts and a torque of 480 Newton-meters. Both engines are paired with GWM's 9-speed automatic transmission, a gearbox that has garnered numerous accolades as one of the world's top transmissions. This potent power combination equips the POER Sahar with a towing capacity of 3.5 tons, significantly surpassing the common 3-ton towing capacity found in the Australian market.
Prior to its launch, the POER Sahar underwent localized adjustments by GWM (Great Wall Motors) according to Australian road conditions, regulations, and driving habits, aiming to better align with the preferences of local consumers. In Australia, pickups are commonly used as passenger vehicles, with daily driving characterized by well-maintained roads, while weekends often see trips to suburban campsites and coastal areas. Overall, local drivers tend to exhibit aggressive driving habits and demand a solid chassis feel. Consequently, the chassis tuning and development team enhanced the vehicle's comfort and controllability under complex road conditions. They meticulously adjusted the vehicle based on Australian pickup usage scenarios such as towing and carrying loads, and various local road conditions including highways, city streets, expressways, suburban roads, mountain roads, unpaved gravel roads, and farm tracks. In terms of intelligent configurations, GWM's safety experts worked on-site in Australia, conducting benchmark testing and improvements on the vehicle based on feedback from local professional media and technicians. These efforts positioned the POER Sahar as a leader in intelligence among similar pickups and mainstream models.Furthermore, in response to common towing scenarios in Australia, GWM's development team has designed a unique high-speed stability protection system. This system utilizes ESP (Electronic Stability Program) to monitor the vehicle's yaw and tire traction during towing, incorporating real-time control with trailer sway mitigation functionality. This enhancement significantly bolsters stability during high-speed driving while towing. Additionally, in terms of power delivery response and torque, the team has optimized torque values between gears, resulting in a 0.36-second improvement in power response time.
The launch of the POER Sahar has garnered widespread praise from the Australian media. Test drive routes were specifically chosen to include Melbourne's urban area and Australia's typical rugged off-road terrain with steep slopes and inclines. This allowed both media representatives and users to experience the impressive performance of the POER Sahar HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) across various challenging road conditions such as climbing hills, navigating city streets, and traversing uneven terrains.
Following their experiences with both highway and off-road test drives, the core automotive media outlet, Carsales, has bestowed high praise upon the POER Sahar: "It's evident that the POER Sahar is a high-performance off-road vehicle, boasting excellent power and torque figures. Its real-world performance is impressive, with strong acceleration and quiet driving. The combination of high and low gears along with differential lock can tackle quite challenging off-road obstacles. Off-road stability is exceptional, and the overall performance of the hybrid powertrain showcases how electrification enhances the performance of pickups, leaving a lasting impression."
People often assume that for a powerful off-road vehicle, a sturdy core is all that's needed, but the POER Sahar delivers more than expected. Veteran automotive critic Matt Campbell is effusive in his praise for the exterior and interior design of the POER Sahar: "The cabin of the POER Sahar is immediately impressive, with intricate detailing, strong decorative elements, electric seats with heating and massage functions, and multimedia entertainment features, giving off a sense of high quality. This interior surpasses others in its price range, providing a comfortable and convenient experience."
For a long time, GWM has consistently adhered to a diversified product layout encompassing multiple categories and powertrains. In terms of product categories, GWM has actively expanded into overseas markets, introducing high-value products such as off-road vehicles and pickup trucks. Regarding powertrain systems, GWM is dedicated to the comprehensive development of pure electric, hybrid, and hydrogen power, actively exploring new energy markets according to the actual conditions of overseas markets. As Australia's first hybrid pickup truck, the POER Sahar Hybrid version better caters to the diverse needs of Australian consumers, reinforcing the local strategic layout of new energy vehicles (NEVs).
Leveraging its advantage in forest ecosystems, GWM aims to provide global users with safer and higher-quality products. The launch of the POER Sahar enhances the travel experience for Australian users, establishing communication through excellent products, winning reputation through excellent service, and building trust through a reputable brand. The POER Sahar meets users' desires for outdoor living and adventure, driving forward global expansion and serving as a flagship for Chinese pickups in the international market. Competing alongside global mainstream brands, GWM targets to rank among the top three globally, making Chinese pickups popular worldwide.