Beijing show: New Haval F5 denied Oz entry

HAVAL has ripped the covers off its youth-orientated F5 crossover, but the new model will remain off the table for the Chinese brand’s Australian division as it remains a left-hand-drive-only proposition in its current guise.

However, Great Wall Motors (GWM) Group CEO Wang Fengying confirmed to Australian journalists at the Beijing motor show that right-hand-drive development for the F5 – as well as other vehicles including the H6 that was revealed alongside the new model – was currently underway and will likely materialise with a new-generation platform due around 2020.

GWM Group vice-president of product planning Sam Chen stopped short of confirming the next-generation F5 for Australia, but simply said fresh product built on the new platform would make its way to local showrooms.

“These (H6 and F5) are still what we call current generation,” he said. “The new H6 utilises the same platform as we have right now, the F5 – it’s a new brand series – but still it’s on an existing platform.

“We made a lot of improvements in terms of technologies and some of the other capabilities, but actually what we’re really excited about is the next-generation model.

“(What Australia will get) is beyond these models here, so it will be the next generation.”

Mr Chen said to expect greater leaps in quality and technologies once the new-generation platform comes on stream, but stressed that Haval would remain solely focused on SUVs.

“If you want to fast forward to some of our future product, we’re actually really excited,” he said. “Our next-generation product will be much, much more – it will have a bigger change than we currently have right now.

“This will be truly a more competitive next-generation (of) products, but I do want to say that we still truly want to stay SUV.”

Powering both the facelifted H6 (not to be confused with the Australian market H6, which is the Chinese market H6 Coupe) and F5 is a new 1.5-litre GDIT turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that is paired with an in-house-designed and built seven-speed wet-dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Haval promises improvements in noise, vibration and harshness levels, as well as fuel consumption and smoothness thanks to the new Euro 6-compliant powertrain that replaces the old 1.3-litre four pot in the H6.

Peak 124kW of power comes in from 5000-5600rpm, while maximum torque of 285Nm is available from 1400-3000rpm. Haval did not disclose zero to 100km/h times or fuel consumption figures for the F5.

The F5 marks Haval’s first foray away from the H series, with the new F series aimed squarely at millennials due to its fashionable looks and focus on technology, while the latter is described as vehicles that appeal to families and older consumers looking for reliability and safety.

Haval’s latest model sports headlights, a sloping roofline, sleek glasshouse, integrated roof rails and boot-mounted rear spoiler.

Inside, the youth-focused design theme continues with a flat-bottomed steering wheel, large floating centre touchscreen infotainment system and chunky switchgear.

Little else was revealed about the F5, but Haval has promised that its newest model will be its most connected vehicle yet.