GWM Poer: Power projection

Something of an unknown quantity in Jordan when it arrived late last year accompanied with a prominent marketing campaign, the Great Wall Motors — or GWM — Poer promised more than the average mid-size pick-up’s regular remit. Bold and perhaps somewhat brash in its aesthetic, the Poer is pitched as a more luxurious and refined alternative in the popular dual private and work use truck market, with its affordable high equipment and appointment levels also making it a good value for money proposition.

Big on bling

Slightly larger and appreciably more luxurious inside than most in-class competition, the Poer has even been pitched as an alternative to larger, more indulgent full-size pick-ups. That being the case, the Poer’s design accentuates its above average size with a high bonnet, waistline and plenty of sheet metal area on display. Its slim, scowling and high-set headlights meanwhile add visual breadth and liberal doses of chrome give off the requisite “bling” factor to help pass for an ‘American’ style and size truck.

With soft-edged but prominent surfacing details, bulging flanks and a muscularly domed bonnet providing a greater sense of volume, the Poer’s more up-segment aspiration and overtly aggressive persona is, however, best exemplified by its larger than life grille. Tall, wide and heavily chromed with thick outline, slat and emblem, the Poer’s grille is a glitzy and overstated piece of automotive jewelry, but seems to work well for marking it out in its segment, and for projecting the desired character and effect. 

Accessible abilities

Dubbed the Poer in Middle East markets and pronounced as “power”, there is nothing coy about the Chinese manufacturer’s premier pick-up truck or its image. That said, it does however deliver well on its nameplate’s overt promise, and is propelled by a compact high-power 2-litre common-rail turbo-diesel 4-cylinder engine. Developing 161BHP at 3,600rpm and muscular 295lb/ft torque output available at a usefully accessible 1,500-2,500rpm mid-range sweet spot, it is estimated to allow for a 170km/h top speed and 0-100km/h acceleration of around 12-seconds.

With seemingly indefatigable mid-range pulling power for quick on the move acceleration and hauling, the Poer’s engine meanwhile spins happily to its low rev ceiling typical of diesel-powered vehicles. However, its smooth, slick and intuitive 8-speed automatic gearbox works very well to avoid the low-end turbo lag also characteristic of turbo-diesels in general. Responsive by segment standards, the Poer’s smooth engine delivers confident performance across the spectrum. Meanwhile, extensive noise insulation all but eliminates audible diesel clatter from the cabin.

Rugged and refined

A body-on-chassis pick-up with live axle and leaf spring suspension coupled with front double wishbones, it is the Poer’s level of ride refinement, reassuring road-holding, dynamic control that truly set it out as a more luxurious SUV-like daily drive prospect. Belying its rugged commercial vehicle style, construction and underpinnings, the Poer’s most distinctive dynamic feature is its settled road manners, body rigidity and excellent vertical control, with little evidence of the over compression, rebound or bounce often associated with such pick-ups.

The Poer’s buttoned down confidence over bumps and stable, settled and refined motorway cruising is well worth a slightly firm ride quality over sharp sudden road imperfections. Well controlling cornering body lean for its class, the Poer grips hard when exiting as active four-wheel-drive diverts power forwards when needed. Turning in tidily with well-damped if slightly long-geared steering, a short test drive alluded that its at the limit dynamic tendency might be biased for predictable understeer if pushed too fast or hard into a corner.

Deluxe double cab

Well-mannered and refined riding on road, the Poer is expected to perform well off-road, with generous estimated 232mm ground clearance, 500mm water fording and 27° approach, 21° ramp and 25° departure angles. For demanding off-road driving the Poer features low gear ratios, while a limited lip rear differential provides additional traction on or off road, and improved cornering agility on tarmac. Moreover, numerous safety and assistance features include a reversing camera and blind spot warning to make the vast Poer easier to drive.

Geared towards personal use rather than work duties, higher specification double cab versions of the Poer are thoroughly well-appointed with extensive safety, assistance, convenience and infotainment features. Finishing includes stylish glossy and metallic trim, soft textures in prominent places, two tone colour schemes and indulgent leathers, including an especially up-market quilted burgundy shade, as driven. Logically laid out and with clear instrumentation and user-friendly controls inside, the Poer’s cabin features generous front and rear space, and excellent cabin noise insulation and refinement.

Specifications: GWM Poer

• Engine: 2-litre, common-rail turbo-diesel, in-line 4-cylinders
• Valve-train: 16-valve, DOHC
• Gearbox: 8-speed automatic
• Gear ratios: 1st 5.0; 2nd 3.2; 3rd 2.143; 4th 1.72; 5th 1.314; 6th 1.0; 7th 0.822; 8th 0.64; R 3.456
• Driveline: Four-wheel-drive, low gear transfer case, limited slip rear differential
• Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 161 (163) [120] @3,600rpm
• Specific power: 80.6BHP/litre
• Power-to-weight: 76.6BHP/tonne (estimate)
• Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 295 (400) @1,500-2,500rpm
• Specific torque: 200.4Nm/litre
• Torque-to-weight: 190.4Nm/tonne (estimate)
• 0-100km/h: approximately 12-seconds (estimate)
• Top speed: 170km/h (estimate)
• Fuel capacity: 80-litres
• Length: 5,437mm
• Width: 1,958mm
• Height: 1,893mm
• Wheelbase: 3,230mm
• Ground clearance: 232mm
• Approach / ramp / departure angles: 27°/21°/25° (estimate)
• Water fording: 500mm (estimate)
• Cargo bed length/width (max) / depth: 1,520/1,520/538mm
• Kerb weight: 2,100kg (estimate)
• Gross vewhicle weight: 3,150kg (estimate)
• Suspension, F/R: Double wishbones, coilovers / leaf springs, live axle
• Steering: Electric-assisted rack & pinion
• Brakes, F/R: Ventilated discs /discs
• Tyres: 265/65R18
• Price, on-the-road: JD24,500-29,000 (including third party insurance, 3-year/100,000km warranty and 1-year/20,000km maintenance package)