Invigorating the Steed |
Haval Motors South Africa has introduced an upgraded version of the effervescent GWM Steed range. The invigorated range is now available in GWM dealerships across the country and will replace the Steed 5, Steed 6 and Steed 5e.
However, hold your horses if you think GWM is pulling an NP300 Hardbody stunt with the rejuvenated Steed. While it still retains the tried and trusted chassis of the outgoing models, the range – according to Haval – has been thoroughly updated, with all models now having dual airbags and ABS as standard.
This follows a Global NCAP test conducted by the Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa last year in which the base model Steed (without airbags and ABS) scored zero points for safety. Haval took the results seriously, and product planning teams domestically and in China worked for a year to upgrade the vehicle and make it safer, with ABS across the range.
External changes on the new derivatives include a new front grille and (now colour-coded) bumper, as well as the addition of an outer tie-down, with the interior now featuring a black luxury trim package. Two grades – S and SX – are now also available.
The S grade is the workhorse level specification, and the SX is a mid-grade specification level. Features for the S grade includes power steering, remote central locking, dual front airbags, manual air-conditioning, ABS, EBD and 16” steel wheels.
In addition, the SX receives front and rear fog lamps, rear bumper and rear park distance sensors, power-adjustable mirrors, auto aircon (double cab models only), guard rails (single cab only), partial leather seats and steering wheel, a tyre pressure monitor, ABS and EBD, and 16” alloy wheels. Both models feature the same AM/FM radio with a USB port available on the radio deck.
The facelifted single and double cab models also share the same diesel engine, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The petrol models have been discontinued. Power delivery from the engine has also been improved – by 5 kW (from 110 kW to 115 kW) and 15 Nm (from 305 Nm to 320 Nm) – with the torque, tellingly, now delivered lower down in the rev range at 1,400 rpm, versus 1,800 rpm compared to the previous model.
The line-up is split as follows: Single cab models will be available in 2.0 S 4×2 6MT; 2.0 S 4×4 6MT; 2.0 SX 4×4 6MT guise, with the double cab offered in 2.0 SX 4×2 6MT, 2.0 S 4×4 6MT and 2.0 SX 4×4 6MT derivatives.
A three-year/40,000 km service plan is standard on the double cab models and optional for the single cab.
Report by Ferdi de Vos | Images © Haval South Africa