The latest Raptor isn’t a Ford, but rather an off-roader from GWM with styling closely resembling that of the Land Rover Defender.
A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology filing shows the upcoming Haval SUV previously thought to be called Xianglong (翔龙) will instead be called Menglong (猛龙) – which, rather awkwardly, translates to Raptor.
That’s despite Ford’s F-150 Raptor being sold in China, with the Ranger Raptor to follow.
The filing lists a range of variant names, including Big Dog Pro and Thunderbolt Dog (following GWM’s animal-themed naming conventions) and, perhaps most mystifyingly, Veyron (威龙).
The Raptor – the Haval model, that is – features GWM’s new Hi4 plug-in hybrid system. This incorporates a 120kW turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, an 80kW front electric motor, an 150kW rear electric motor, a two-speed Direct Hybrid Transmission, and a lithium iron phosphate battery.
Models with the Hi4 set-up will offer either 19.94kWh and 27.5kWh batteries, with a claimed range of over 100km.
According to the filing, the Menglong/Raptor measures 4800mm long, 1916mm wide and 1822mm tall on a 2738mm wheelbase.
For reference, a Land Rover Defender 110 is quite a bit bigger at 5018mm (including the spare wheel) on a 3022mm wheelbase, which puts the Haval closer in size to GWM’s own Tank 300.
The new Haval SUV is due in China later this year.
GWM Australia confirmed last month the new plug-in hybrid off-roader isn’t currently under consideration for Australia, but said it would “continue to watch its development closely”.
Defender-like design cues include the external spare tyre carrier and the vertical tail lights consisting of two ‘squircle’ elements situated within a darker piece of trim.
The front incorporates a pair of round headlights within squared-off recesses, plus a grille with strong horizontal elements. Again, the look is rather Defender-like.
The interior has yet to be revealed.
GWM models with the Hi4 system will feature GWM’s Intelligent Torque Vectoring Control, promising the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles in milliseconds to improve safety and stability.
There’s a “smart system” that can switch between nine different driving modes based on real-time road conditions.
In city driving, it will switch between pure electric two-wheel drive, series hybrid mode, and first-gear direct drive mode to avoid using the petrol engine. At high speeds, it will use the second-gear direct drive mode to maximise efficiency.
Brake energy recuperation also features in the system.
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Haval Cool Dog -
Haval Shenshou -
Haval Xiaolong -
Haval Chitu
GWM continues to roll out a dizzying array of new SUVs.
It recently established a new brand called Tank that specialises in more rugged, body-on-frame SUVs. The first model from this brand, the 300, has just arrived in Australia.
GWM’s original SUV brand, Haval, has also been rolling out a wide range of new SUVs over the past couple of years.
Prior to the aforementioned Xiaolong debut this year, it also introduced the Chitu, Cool Dog, Dargo/Big Dog and Shenshou SUVs. It recently debuted its largest SUV yet, the new H5 body-on-frame SUV that’s bigger than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.
