GWM HAVAL H7 Debuts in South Africa With Three Powertrains

GWM Introduces the New HAVAL H7 in South Africa

GWM South Africa introduced the new-generation GWM HAVAL H7 on October 22, positioning it as the replacement for the current model. The new lineup will comprise six variants and three powertrain options, covering turbo-gasoline, conventional hybrid, and plug-in hybrid configurations. The available combinations offer different performance outputs, acceleration figures, drivetrain layouts, and electric driving ranges. The range includes front- or two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations, depending on the powertrain and variant. GWM's announcement highlights the breadth of the new HAVAL H7 lineup, with outputs extending to 280 kW and 670 Nm of torque in the top plug-in hybrid configuration.

Turbo-Gasoline Engine and Performance

The 2.0T turbo-gasoline version pairs its engine with a nine-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. This powertrain produces 170 kW and 380 Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is listed at 9 seconds for the two-wheel-drive variant and 8.6 seconds for the four-wheel-drive version. These figures show a difference between the two drivetrain configurations, with the four-wheel-drive model recording the quicker stated acceleration time. The 2.0T engine provides one of the three powertrain choices in the new HAVAL H7 range, alongside the 1.5T hybrid and 1.5T plug-in hybrid systems.

1.5T Hybrid Powertrain and Output

The conventional hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) variant combines a 1.5T hybrid engine with a two-speed dedicated hybrid transmission, known as a DHT. This system delivers a combined output of 182 kW and 540 Nm of torque, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h listed at 8.6 seconds. Unlike the plug-in hybrid configurations, the source announcement does not specify an electric-only driving range for the HEV. The hybrid version adds another powertrain choice to the six-variant lineup, giving customers an alternative to the turbo-gasoline model and the plug-in hybrid versions. The announced specifications identify its output, transmission arrangement, and acceleration performance.

HAVAL H7 Plug-In Hybrid Variants and Electric Range

The 1.5T plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain is offered in both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations. The two-wheel-drive version produces 240 kW and 540 Nm of torque, with an electric driving range of 130 km under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The Hi4 four-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid delivers 280 kW and 670 Nm of torque, while its stated electric range is 115 km under NEDC. These figures distinguish the two PHEV versions: the Hi4 model has higher stated power and torque, while the two-wheel-drive model has the longer listed electric range. The figures are specific to the announced configurations and test cycle.

Four-Wheel-Drive Systems: BorgWarner Haldex and GWM Hi4

The 2.0T internal combustion engine (ICE) four-wheel-drive variant uses a sixth-generation BorgWarner Haldex system. According to the supplied announcement, this system adjusts torque distribution between the front and rear axles. The range-topping plug-in hybrid instead uses GWM's Hi4 system, which incorporates a dedicated 150 kW rear motor. These are distinct drivetrain arrangements within the new HAVAL H7 range: the Haldex system manages torque between the axles, while the Hi4 configuration is associated with the top PHEV variant and its dedicated rear motor. The announcement does not provide further details about the systems' operating modes or additional technical specifications.

Key Specifications of the New HAVAL H7 Powertrains

The announced specifications distinguish the new HAVAL H7 powertrains by engine or hybrid configuration, drivetrain, output, acceleration, and electric range where provided. The turbo-gasoline model produces 170 kW and 380 Nm, while the conventional hybrid delivers 182 kW and 540 Nm. The plug-in hybrid lineup extends those figures to 240 kW and 540 Nm for the two-wheel-drive variant and 280 kW and 670 Nm for the Hi4 four-wheel-drive version. Electric range is specified only for the two PHEV configurations, at 130 km and 115 km under NEDC, respectively. The following table summarizes the figures supplied in the announcement.

New HAVAL H7 Powertrain Specifications and Performance Figures

The figures show that the new HAVAL H7 lineup offers several distinct combinations rather than a single powertrain with different equipment levels. The 2.0T turbo-gasoline versions share the same stated output but differ in their acceleration times according to drivetrain. The HEV combines 182 kW with 540 Nm, while the PHEV options provide higher output, with the Hi4 four-wheel-drive version reaching 280 kW and 670 Nm. The electric-range figures apply to the two plug-in hybrid variants and are reported using NEDC. The announcement does not supply acceleration figures for either PHEV version or identify a drivetrain layout for the HEV.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The new HAVAL H7's six-variant lineup gives GWM South Africa a broader set of powertrain choices to present to customers, spanning turbo-gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid technology. Its PHEV configurations combine stated electric ranges of up to 130 km under NEDC with outputs reaching 280 kW and 670 Nm, while the Hi4 system adds a dedicated 150 kW rear motor to the range-topping variant. The mix of drivetrain layouts and hybrid systems may help GWM address differing customer priorities around performance and electric driving capability in South Africa. Further market implications will depend on details not included in the announcement, including pricing, equipment, availability, and final variant specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many variants will the new GWM HAVAL H7 offer?
The new-generation GWM HAVAL H7 will be available in six variants, supported by three powertrain options announced by GWM South Africa. These options include a 2.0T turbo-gasoline engine, a 1.5T conventional hybrid system, and a 1.5T plug-in hybrid system. The configurations differ in output, drivetrain, acceleration performance, and electric range where applicable. The announcement identifies two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions for selected powertrains but does not provide a complete equipment breakdown for all six variants.

What power does the HAVAL H7 2.0T turbo-gasoline engine produce?
The HAVAL H7 2.0T turbo-gasoline powertrain produces 170 kW and 380 Nm of torque and is paired with a nine-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. The two-wheel-drive version is listed as accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds, while the four-wheel-drive version records a stated time of 8.6 seconds. The supplied announcement identifies these outputs and acceleration figures but does not specify fuel consumption, emissions, top speed, or other performance measurements for the turbo-gasoline versions.

What are the specifications of the HAVAL H7 hybrid version?
The conventional hybrid version uses a 1.5T hybrid engine combined with a two-speed dedicated hybrid transmission, or DHT, to deliver 182 kW and 540 Nm of torque. Its stated acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h is 8.6 seconds. The announcement does not provide an electric-only driving range for this HEV configuration, nor does it specify its fuel consumption or battery capacity. These published details distinguish the conventional hybrid from the plug-in hybrid versions, which have separate power and NEDC electric-range figures.

What is the electric range of the HAVAL H7 plug-in hybrid?
The two-wheel-drive HAVAL H7 plug-in hybrid has a stated electric range of 130 km under the New European Driving Cycle, or NEDC, while the Hi4 four-wheel-drive version is listed at 115 km under the same cycle. The figures apply to the specific PHEV configurations described in the announcement. They should not be treated as independently verified real-world driving ranges, because actual results can vary with operating conditions. The announcement does not provide battery capacity, charging time, or an alternative test-cycle range.

How do the HAVAL H7 PHEV power outputs compare?
The two-wheel-drive 1.5T plug-in hybrid produces 240 kW and 540 Nm of torque, while the Hi4 four-wheel-drive PHEV delivers 280 kW and 670 Nm. The Hi4 variant therefore has the higher stated power and torque, whereas the two-wheel-drive version has the longer announced NEDC electric range, at 130 km compared with 115 km. The source article does not state acceleration times for either PHEV configuration, so a direct comparison of their 0-to-100-km/h performance cannot be made from the supplied figures.

Which four-wheel-drive systems are used in the new HAVAL H7?
The 2.0T internal combustion engine four-wheel-drive variant uses a sixth-generation BorgWarner Haldex system that adjusts torque between the front and rear axles. The range-topping plug-in hybrid instead uses GWM's Hi4 system, which includes a dedicated 150 kW rear motor. These details describe different drivetrain arrangements within the new HAVAL H7 range. The announcement does not provide additional technical information about operating modes, control strategies, or the full mechanical configuration of either system.