HEV or Hybrid Electric Vehicle is the terminology used by Haval for the first Hybrid model that they have just launched in SA.
I popped down to Haval in Kempton Park for a look and a very quick drive today to experience the newcomer.
Typically of such vehicles, it's the eerie silence on pull-off and at low speeds that takes some getting used to. With 530Nm of electric torque, acceleration is very brisk and pottering around town is easy and quiet with the 1.5L turbo petrol petrol engine only kicking in when speed rises. Total engine output is rated at 179Kw. Compare this to the 155kW of the recently launched GT model.
A big bonus is the fact that this is NOT a plug-in hybrid but creates regenerative power so you have no Eskom worries.
The HEV is based on the Super Luxury version of the H6 so no luxury item is spared in the spec level. From the outside, the only clue is a very different front grille compared to the "normal" models.
The HEV is priced at R669 900 .
Alan Rosenmeyer: MotorMatters: www.motormatters.co.za
