New HAVAL luxury plug in hybrid

HAVAL Motors Australia specializes in sport utility vehicles, and at Auto China 2018 the manufacturer plans to launch the Wey P8, a luxury plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The Wey P8 boasts an innovative drivetrain, where the 2.0-litre petrol engine can drive the front wheels, an 85-kilowatt rear-mounted electric motor can power the rear wheels, or all of the wheels can work together for intelligent four-wheel drive.

Electric or in tandem

HAVAL calls its hybrid design Pi4 (plug-in intelligent four-wheel drive). The combined power of the electric motor and petrol engine allows the Wey P8 to go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.5 seconds. When operating in pure electric mode, the Wey P8 features a 50-kilometre (31-mile) range, while both motors working together extends the SUV’s range to 660 kilometres (410 miles). The all-wheel drive is possible, thanks to a Getrag six-speed dual-clutch transmission. You can charge the Wey P8’s electric motor in seven hours from a 220-volt charger, or four hours from a dedicated charger, according to HAVAL.

Safety features

The Wey P8 has plenty of onboard tech to keep you and everyone else safe. The impressive list of features includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning (FCW), blind spot monitoring (BSM), lane departure warning (LDW), lane keep assist (LKA), and a 360-degree camera.

Luxury additions

Wey is HAVAL’s luxury brand, and the P8 comes with a variety of premium amenities. The leather seats, for example, offer built-in heating, message, and ventilation, while the console — which is angled purposely toward the driver — features an LCD instrument panel. The P8 also boasts a 9-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, and premium sound system.

HAVAL plans to provide more details at Auto China Beijing, running through 4 May.