POER TO THE PEOPLE(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 35

Against all the odds, there are a few signs that the pick-up market is picking up. Here's a fresh contender, the GWM POER300. It's an old-school diesel pick-up with a very strong value proposition indeed.

Background word count: 131

New Chinese auto brands are known for cutting-edge new EV tech. But they do old school engineering too. Like you get in big diesel pick-ups, specifically in this case this one, the GWM POER300. GWM, you'd be forgiven for not knowing, is 'Great Wall Motors', who already import two vehicles here, the ORA 03 EV supermini and the Haval Jolion Pro Hybrid family hatch. Between 2012 and 2016, they also imported into the UK a pick-up called the Great Wall Steed and this POER300 is essentially the delayed replacement for that model. It sells, badged differently, in various overseas markets (in Australia for instance, it's called the 'Cannon Ute'). The POER badge used here means 'power'. Can this model muscle in at the budget end of the pick-up market? Let's see.

Driving Experience word count: 153

You might expect an EV drivetrain from an emerging Chinese brand in this segment - as was the case at launch from rivals Maxus. But no, beneath the bonnet of the POER300 beats an old-school four cylinder 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine with 181bhp and 460Nm of torque. 0-62mph takes 11s and top speed is 99mph. You can only have this model with a nine-speed auto gearbox and this truck has a 3,500kg braked towing capacity which is un-bettered in the segment. Don't expect anything other than the usual fairly crude standard of pick-up ride thanks to the leaf-spring rear suspension. GWM makes big claims for off-road capability too. As you'd expect, there's a full-time 4x4 system with low range capability. There are specific drive modes for snow, mud and sand and an electronic locking rear differential. The off-road stats look decent - 230mm of ground clearance, a 27-degree approach angle and 25-degree departure angle.