• EV range of 180km, significantly more than its rivals.
• Brisk acceleration, achieving 0-100km/h in 4.9sec.
• A claimed overall range of 1000km on a full tank and charge.
• Less expensive than other PHEVs in this class at $58,990.
• Combined power of 321kW and 762Nm.
• A 35.4kWh battery pack.
• Claimed fuel consumption of 0.8L/100km / CO2 emissions 19g/km
Walking around the H6 GT Ultra PHEV, it’s visually identical to the H6 GT Ultra 2.0L petrol model. The main difference is the PHEV badge on the tailgate. There are also red brake calipers, now twin-piston at the front and single-piston at the rear with a larger pad area. The front disc size has increased from 328.5mm to 340mm, and the rear rotors are now 342.5mm to assist with the greater kerb weight (2075kg, 396kg heavier than the petrol model). We rather like the styling; it looks very premium, like a baby Lamborghini Urus, and it comes in a decent range of colours.
Under the seats sits a sizeable 35.43kWh battery. It provides power for a 130kW front motor and 135kW unit at the rear. H6 GT PHEV gets 6.6kW AC and 48kW DC charging. Plugging in overnight on AC gives you about 100km of EV range, while connecting it to DC will give you a 30-80 per cent charge in 26 minutes.
The impressive 180km range is its big party trick, making the H6 GT a very enticing option to operate purely as an EV. The average person commutes roughly 30km a day to and from work. So on a full charge, you could use the H6 GT solely as an EV during the working week. Charge it up on Friday night if you have a big road trip planned.
And I mean BIG! With a 1000km combined range, you could almost go from Cape Reinga to Wellington on a full tank and charge (1051km). However, with just a quick splash of fuel at the service station, you’ll have those extra 51km in no time and be back on your way. The 1499cc inline four-cylinder turbo engine produces 110kW and 230Nm between 1500-4000rpm. In isolation, it delivers 5.4L/100km, and the rated towing capacity is 1500kg braked.
The interior quality is rather pleasant, with decent plastics and soft-touch areas where they count. There are lots of charge points too. The faux carbon fibre material, combined with Comfort-Tek grey suede with leather trims, looks premium. There’s some metallic painted trim along the door cards and dash too. Stylish GT logos are embroidered into the seats. We thought the brushed plastic trims sometimes showed fingerprints.
With minimal buttons on the dash, I found using the voice command feature best for quickly finding the right menu without being distracted. Storage is decent with a large suede armrest compartment, and cup holders that fold away. A lower deck permits additional storage, while there’s a sunglasses holder in the headliner and door card storage.
My main two gripes are not being able to tilt the driver’s seat squab for a more planted position in the seat. However, the seats are comfortable and are heated and vented. The other issue is the feel of the steering wheel. With hands in the quarter to three position, your thumbs rest on the wheel button controls. Positioning them higher is the workaround but it’s not ideal.
Rear passengers are treated with decent leg and head room. The PHEV doesn’t forgo any rear boot space from the petrol version, coming in at 392L (the regular H6 gets 600L in comparison). Rearward vision isn’t too bad considering it’s a coupe SUV. Some may like a digital mirror but these aren’t without their detractors.
We mostly did motorway kays in the H6 GT. This GT doesn’t get any upgrades in terms of dynamics over the regular H6. However, GWM says it has done work to the suspension. I suspect this could be purely to account for the extra mass the PHEV carries over the petrol.
The main feature of the PHEV is the extra power, which makes it overall a more fun car to drive. The 0-100km dash is done in 4.9 seconds using launch control, which makes the GT quick. An 80-120km/h overtake is effortless. The two-speed dedicated hybrid transmission is an improvement over the twin-clutch in the petrol.
GT has six drive modes: Normal, Evo, Sport, Snow, Sand, and Mud.
As previously mentioned, the PHEV gets an upgrade in brake size to account for the extra mass. GWM is planning to develop their own Australian ride and handling programme to suit Australian and New Zealand roads. I expect this will greatly help GWM in the steering and dynamics department. The GT rides on Michelin Pilot Primacy 4 tyres, which are decent, and the added electrification keeps unwanted noise to a minimum.
When you have a limited EV range, recharging a PHEV can be a hassle. By giving the H6 GT PHEV a range of 180km, this changes everything. GWM has given those not sold on the idea of a BEV the ability to run the H6 GT as an EV while avoiding range anxiety. When you compare the H6 GT PHEV with some of its rivals, the 180km EV range dwarfs the 81km found in the $65k BYD Sealion 6 and 84km in the $63k Outlander. It beats them on price, coming in at $58,990 with a seven-year unlimited km warranty, five years of roadside assistance and an eight-year warranty on the battery. Plus, it now has the performance to go with the sporty coupe SUV looks. You really are GWMFL (going with more for less).
Ultra PHEV AWD – $58,990
Ultra AWD Petrol – $46,490
Hamilton white, Atlantis Blue, Crayon Grey, Burgundy Red, Golden Black
Engine
• 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine
• Power 321kW / 762Nm
• Two-speed DHT
• Two electric motors
• All-wheel drive with selectable driving modes
• Fuel economy: 0.8 L/100kms
• CO2 Emissions: 19g/100km
• Drive Modes: 4WD (Normal, Evo, Sport, Snow, Sand, Mud)
• Launch Control
Battery
• Lithium-ion battery
• Battery capacity: 35.43kWh
• Max AC charge rate: 6.6 kW
• Max DC charge rate: 48 kW
• V2L max output: 3.3 kW
• EV range: 180km
• Power modes: EV + Intelligent + EV priority
Wheels / Brakes
• 19-inch black alloy wheels
• Michelin tyres
• Front and rear vented disc brakes
• Front brakes: Twin piston (48mm) calliper – 340mm
• Rear brakes: Single piston (42mm)
Driver
• 10.25” digital instrument cluster
• HUD (Head-up Display)
• Push-button start
• Auto-dimming rear vision mirror
• Electronic park brake with auto hold
• Multifunction steering wheel
• Automatic rain-sensing front wipers
• Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
Infotainment
• 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Eight-speaker audio
• Voice command
• 2x front USB outlets
• 2x rear USB outlets
• Automatic LED headlights with DRLs
• LED fog lights and LED tail-lights
• Dual-zone climate control
• Comfort-tek synthetic leather seats
• Heated and vented front seats
• Eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat including lumbar adjust
• Four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
• Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Automatic anti-glare rear-view mirror
• Automatic anti-glare rear-view mirror
• Electric tailgate with hand-free activation
• Head-up display
• Heated and ventilated seats
• Wireless phone charging, USB charge points, dash cam USB port and 12v outlets
• Ambient cabin lighting
• Hands-free electric tailgate
• Panoramic sunroof with shade blind
• Rear privacy glass
• Heated door mirrors
• Roof rails
Safety
• 7 airbags (2x front, 2x side, 2x curtain, 1x centre)
• 360-degree camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Semi-autonomous parking
• Tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS)
• ISOFIX child restraints
• Hill descent control
• Hill start assist control
• Blind spot monitoring
• Traffic jam assist
• Driver fatigue monitoring
• Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Lane keep assist
• Lane departure warning
• Lane change assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert with braking
• Traffic sign recognition
• Adaptive cruise control with stop & go
• Traffic jam assist
• Big battery gives the H6 GT PHEV a real usable EV range of 180km.
• Slick exterior and interior design.
• Well priced at $58,990.
• Fast, with 0-100km done in 4.9 sec.
• 1000km of claimed combined range.
• The driver’s seat lacks height adjustment.
• The steering wheel could be better designed.
• 7-year unlimited km warranty
• 5-years of roadside assistance
• 8-year warranty on the battery
