the Bucket: Bucket Seat: GWM P300 LT

The love affair that South African motorists have with bakkies needs to be studied. I say this because a good 50% of the bakkie drivers don’t use the bakkie for it’s intended purpose, they buy it as an everyday car which is why you’re seeing more and more luxury elements filtering into what used to be a workhorse type of vehicle. Majority of the bakkie drivers don’t use bin, barely go off-roading and a lot just buy a tonne of fancy accessories to make their bakkie stand out more from the next. The most action these bakkies face is climbing pavements. Now I know I’ve been slandering the bakkie drive a lot in this introduction but for someone who drives multiple types of cars, I just feel that bakkies are not practical family cars. However, every time I get a bakkie rolling into my driveway, I do get excited and in this review I’ll tell you why. Not too long ago I spent some times with the GWM P300 double cab, a bakkie that’s shook the local market sending a shock wave to the likes of Toyota, Ford and Isuzu whom have been dominating the market for some time, the Chinese have already made their mark in the SUV segment so now they’re setting their eyes on the much loved bakkie with this P300.

DESIGN

The P300 is no stranger to SA with it being the talk of the market since it was launched 4 years ago. It’s managed to gain traction due to its offerings and attractive price but the looks department hasn’t changed drastically since. With minor updates to the car over the years, it still remains an attractive offering, and with the latest LT model you can see the cosmetic work done to it is anything but subtle. The flared wheel arches make it quite prominent, the bolder grille and GWM badge sits more proud on the front. A more neater front bumper which follows the lines of the grille keep the front end symmetrical all while looking rugged and capable for action. The size of the van really does surprise you when you get up close to it. The use of more bolder colours and higher quality materials makes this van look a lot more premium, the extra additions like roof rails and the very handy step ladder that deploys from the tail gate for easy access into the bin. On the inside, one would be mistaken for being in a luxury SUV, the layout is simple but classy, something very different from what we are used to in a "workhorse".

PERFORMANCE

The P300 LT comes in one engine derivative, being the 2.4L Turbo Diesel, this being the same engine that featured in the Tank 300 that I had previously. The two models vary in terms of drive, with the entry level being a 4 x 2 and the range topping being 4 x 4, both have a 9-speed automatic gearbox that works superbly with the drive train, without the normal issues that plagued the previous models. The engine derives 135kW and 480Nm of torque, which is powerful numbers. GWM claim the 4 x 4 model has a fuel economy of 8.0L per 100km, which wasn't that hard to achieve, the diesel motor makes a world of difference and with out any load and calm driving around town is what helped me get to around that figure. Once you start loading the bin and cabin, it might be a different story. The P300 LT comes with 18" alloys which are wrapped around with 265 all terrain tyres, the front suspension is a double wishbone type with the rear being leaf spring rigid axle. The off-road controls very easy to engage with most of them being a push of a button and with the new off-road display on the infotainment screen it makes it all that more simpler to conquer tougher terrains.

COMFORT

As mentioned earlier, the cabin of the P300 LT is akin to a luxury SUV, with high quality and robust materials used to adorn it. The new layout is very modern, feature two screens, a 9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch multi-touch infotainment screen. The user interface is simple to use and very touch sensitive, so making it easy for the driver to access items while driving. The car has Bluetooth connectivity, wireless mobile app connectivity which includes Android Auto and Carplay. It has a 6-speaker sound system which is quite good and also has speed-sensing speaker volume adjustment which automatically increases the volume ever so slightly when going at higher speeds to compensate for the road noise. The P300 LT comes with climate control and front seat heating, these are all adjusted from physical buttons and not via the touchscreen. The front console has a USB A and USB C port as well as a wireless charging tray. there is a fair amount of storage compartments up front for cup holders with a slide tray under the arm rest for you to store keys and remotes. The back, as per most double cabs does not have the most room but it is sufficient for two adults to sit comfortably with USB charging ports and ventilation for the passengers. the biggest surprise would be the sunroof, its the first time I've ever seen a bakkie that comes with a sunroof! The bin is sizable but I'm a bit disappointed that it didn't come with an auto roller shutter or any power outlets like most of the other bakkies on the market.

VERDICT

Ultimately the P300 LT is still here to do the job the original P Series has been doing and that is disrupt the market. Its offerings are unique and very attractive but what will draw more people to it is the price. When GWM first introduced this model to the market, it had its skepticism on how long it would fair in terms of reliability and performance and to its credit, most of which have been sold are still going strong. So you be the judge of that, the Chinese are really coming in hard and fast, but with brands like GWM who have firmed themselves in the country, there isn't that worry about reputation or after sales services because of their wide dealer network. I think the jury on the Chinese cars could be making a decision very soon given the number of new brands and models coming into the country and the market being very open to try them out. This particular model for me is a winner and while many still might prefer their trusted Hilux or Ranger, that saving of close to 300K is very enticing.