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T
he impasse over distribution of Great Wall Motors
vehicles in Australia, including the Chinese budget
brand’s trade-oriented light commercial vehicles, has
ended, with a new factory-backed operation taking over from
independent importer Ateco Automotive and confirming that a
new-generation utility is on its way.
Due for release in the final quarter of this year, the new ute
is still under wraps from a local specification point of view,
however the vehicle – to be known as the Steed here – has
received regulatory approval for Australian sales and all
indications are that it will be based on the Wingle 6 already
available in overseas markets.
The newly formed local distributor, Great Wall Motors
Australia (GWMA), has issued photographs of the new ute and
confirmed that the line-up will be headed by a 4x4 turbo-
diesel variant matched to a six-speed manual transmission,
Borg-Warner ‘torque-on-demand’ four-wheel-drive system
and Eaton-sourced rear differential lock.
This indicates that an automatic transmission may not be
available from launch. GWMA has, however, promised a high
level of specification, including in terms of safety equipment,
with electronic stability control – understood to be a
comprehensive Bosch-developed system – and six airbags to
be fitted standard.
Only a dual cab body style will be offered at launch, in three
powertrain/driveline combinations: 4x2 petrol and 4x2 and
4x4 diesel.
Other details are still to be provided, but Great Wall Motors’
global website shows that the driving force behind the new-
generation Wingle is a ‘GW4D20’ 2.0l turbo-diesel engine
producing 105kW of power at 4,000rpm and 305Nm of
torque from 1,800-2,800rpm, driving through a six-speed
manual transmission.
The Wingle continues to use a conventional ladder-frame
chassis with independent double-wishbone-type front
suspension up front and a rigid axle with leaf springs at the
rear. Front disc brakes and rear drums are employed, aided
by ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and
brake assist electronics.
Increasingly common equipment such as reversing
camera, rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring
system, auto-dipping rear-view mirror, Bluetooth phone and
audio connectivity, and six-way electrically adjustable driver’s
seat are also available, depending on the model variant.
While improvements in areas such as quality and
refinement are still to be put
to the test, there is no doubt
that with the higher-grade
safety equipment and more
premium interior fit-out,
Great Wall will have a suitable
model with which to mount a
fresh attack on the
Australian marketplace.
GWMA has also pledged to
continue to “deliver solutions
to any customer and dealer
issues” meaning that it is
working to ensure it maintains
a broad dealer network and
retains as many past and
present V-series ute owners,
many of whom are tradies,
as possible.
>Great Wall Motors
www.greatwallmotors.com.auGREAT WALL MOTORS COMEBACK
LDV UTE COMING
After handing
over the reins of
Great Wall Motors
to the new factory-
backed distributor,
independent importer
Ateco Automotive is
working with LDV to
boost its Chinese-built
light-commercial range in Australia, including an all-new
workhorse utility.
The still-to-be-named new LDV ute, which will go head-to-
head with other keenly priced pick-ups from the likes of Great
Wall, is currently nearing the end of its development and is
expected to join the current G10 van and V80 van/cab chassis
on sale here in 2017.