GWM confirms Haval Jolion Hybrid for Oz

GREAT WALL MOTORS Australia has today announced the release of its Haval Jolion Hybrid for the local market. Slated to arrive next month, and priced from $40,990 drive-away, the small-segment SUV joins Haval’s larger H6 Hybrid as the second New Energy Vehicle (NEV) in the Chinese importer’s range.

GWM Australia says the Jolion Hybrid is the second offering in an NEV range which is expected to grow further in 2023 but stopped short of confirming just which model is next due in its local showrooms.

For now, the Haval Jolion Hybrid will sit atop the model range and features GWM’s 1.5-litre hybridised petrol engine mated to a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) to deliver combined outputs of 139kW and 375Nm. The manufacturer says fuel economy returns of 5.0 litre per 100km are possible on the combined cycle using regular 91 RON unleaded petrol.

The hybrid model’s electronically controlled DHT unit is said to provide the Jolion with “excellent acceleration and performance from low speeds with increased efficiency and power at higher speeds” to deliver a driving experience GWM says is “similar to that of a battery electric vehicle”.

Like many similar hybrid vehicles, the Jolion can operate in a variety of modes including EV, Series Hybrid, Parallel Hybrid and Regeneration, with the DHT unit adjusted to offer maximum efficiency across all speed and load conditions, regardless of the drive mode selected.

The Haval Jolion Hybrid is differentiated from its derivative range by a new front grille, front LED head- and fog-lights with blue accents, a reprofiled front bumper, new rear spoiler and 18-inch alloy wheels. Otherwise, the model shares the same specification and equipment levels as the current Jolion Ultra.

Standard safety equipment for the Jolion Hybrid includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and crossroads detection, Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Detection & Lane Change Assist, Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR).

Like all GWM products, the new Haval Jolion Hybrid is backed by a seven-year / unlimited-kilometre warranty with five years’ roadside assistance and capped price servicing.

GWM says sales locally are up 11.6 per cent of where they were last year, the Haval Jolion making a “significant contribution” to the overall number with year-to-date sales of 3769 units, a 185 per cent increase on 2021.

The importer says that supply challenges that had been affecting its stock levels for the past few months look to be diminishing meaning it is likely to see another record sales year in 2022 with anticipated sales of more than 20,000 units.

2022 GWM Haval Jolion pricing*:

*National drive-away price.