2024 Haval B07 plug-in hybrid EV unveiled at Auto Shangai

Haval has unveiled a new medium SUV at Auto Shanghai 2023. Known internally as the ‘B07’ (and as the Xiaolong Max in China), it packs a plug-in hybrid powertrain that promises 5.5L/100km and an EV-only driving range of 100km.

At a glance, the B07 might look like an H6 that’s had a deep facelift and powertrain upgrade, but the wheelbase has been stretched by 62mm (2800mm) and it’s longer – so it is a new vehicle, though it uses the same modular LEMON platform.

In fact, the B07 is larger in every dimension, at 2785mm long, 1895mm wide, and 1725mm tall, though unlike the Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander, the B07 will be two-row only. A VDA-certified 551L cargo space tops off the B07 package.

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There are some carryover cues, including a shapely bonnet that’s familiar to those who’ve spent time in an H6. The minimal grille opening is said to evoke an electric vehicle – we see some inspiration from the Lexus RX – and the B07’s subtly sloping roofline is sporty, without being quite H6 GT extreme

A spokesperson for GWM Australia told Wheels that, although the B07 is another new medium SUV from Haval, it’s not yet confirmed as the H6’s successor. The B07 will go on sale next month in China, with an Australian release still under consideration.

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GWM’s Hi4 plug-in hybrid EV powertrain

The powertrain is new for GWM. Called ‘Hi4’, it features a 19.94kWh battery, two electric motors, and – in the B07 – a 120kW/240Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol combustion engine running in the Miller cycle.

GWM claims system power can go as high as 340kW, though the B07’s iteration develops 205kW/585Nm. It drives the front wheels via a two-speed ‘dedicated hybrid’ transmission, that effectively has a launch and cruising gear, and the electric motors fill in the gaps.

Not unlike the Toyota RAV4 hybrid and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – both key rivals if the B07 comes to Oz – the Haval’s four-wheel drive functions via a separate rear 150kW/350Nm motor, with no driveshaft connecting the two axles.

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Haval says this makes for faster torque movements between the front and rear axle. GWM also claims a 0-100km/h sprint as low as 6.4 seconds for vehicles equipped with the Hi4 powertrain, though did not specify if that included the B07.

In China’s fuel consumption cycle, the B07 returned 5.5L/100km, and Haval claims that its near-20kWh battery is enough for a 105km electric-only driving range (though by what standard is not confirmed) – that plays the Outlander’s 84km WLTP range.

The NCM battery is capable of charging at 22kW, for a sub-30-minute 30-80 per cent charge time, according to GWM.

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Cabin technology

GWM’s cabins have typically been technology-packed thanks to the LEMON electronics platform. The B07’s new ‘coffee’ software promises to be more user-friendly than current items.

The suite is made up of a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, and a 10-inch head-up display. The images show a third touchscreen for front-seat passengers, but Haval does not mention this feature in the literature.

There will be an upgraded suite of advanced driver assistance tech onboard, too, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention monitoring, and more.

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Pricing and availability

B07 pricing – and final naming – are yet to be confirmed but with GWM/Haval's typically lower asking prices than Japanese rivals, we could expect variants of the B07 to start from around A$70,000.

GWM’s global expansion is heating up, and the brand will introduce a new EV, in the Ora Cat, and the Tank 300 hybrid 4x4 this year.

A local release of the B07 is under consideration, but not yet confirmed. With GWM’s strong sales in Australia, including for the hybrid H6, the B07 makes a strong case for itself, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens after its May market launch in China.