The manufacturer of Chinese premium SUVs, Haval, entered the Russian market in June 2015. The Chinese made their debut with the H8 and H9 models, we will now talk about the latter.
The first acquaintance with the Haval H9 happened back in 2014 at the Beijing Auto Show. Since then, the model has been positioned as the flagship of Hawal, the premium brand of the Chinese concern Great Wall.
Video: Beijing Auto Show, 2014
In fact, in terms of dimensions, frame structure, capacity, technical characteristics and equipment, the Haval H9 almost exactly repeats the Japanese Land Cruiser Prado SUV, but it costs a third less. If the 2015 Prado can be purchased for 3,100,000 rubles, then a fresh Chinese H9 (2016 release) will cost you 2,100,000 rubles. Agree, the difference is significant!
Everything is the same, but at a bargain price - this is what Great Wall has focused on, trying to prove to the whole world that China is not only cheap, but also of high quality and technology.
Claiming to be a high-quality and durable car, Haval engineers decided to install components from major world brands on the cars, among which Bosch occupies a special place - the H9 is equipped with Bosch ABS, ninth generation ESP, an electric control system and much more. The batteries are installed by Varta. In addition, crossovers are assembled in the European part of Russia, at its own Great Wall plant near Tula.
Body Haval H9
As already mentioned, the Chinese is in many ways similar to the Toyota Prado. Take, for example, the dimensions: Haval H9 - 4856x1926x1900 mm with a wheelbase of 2800 mm, for Prado - 4780x1885x1845 mm and a base of 2790 mm. Further, we will also notice similar moments, playing, so to speak, on contrasts, so that the reader can independently find out: were the Chinese able to make a worthy alternative to Japanese women or not?
For a number of reasons, it cannot be argued that we have a full-fledged SUV, but the model has a professional design, an SUV chassis combined with an independent rigid frame. In addition, a whole array of electronic sensors is installed in a circle, with the help of which the computer adjusts the operation of the engine, gearbox and suspension, depending on the weather and road conditions, which significantly increases the stability and passability of the car.
The Hawala's ground clearance is 20 centimeters (Toyota's is 21 centimeters - the difference is only one centimeter).
Roof rack Haval H9
The fifth door is the tailgate, in the Hawal X9 it opens to the right, just like in the Toyota Prado. The taillights are located almost in the middle of the C-pillar, another similarity.
As you can see from the photos, the luggage compartment is equipped with seat belts, which, of course, is not just like that, this is a folding third row. By deploying the "clamshell", the car turns from a five-seater to a seven-seater (in fact, you can seat eight people or even more, but only 7 belts are installed). By the way, there is a 220 volt socket in the trunk.
Salon Haval H9
Thanks to the pleasant elastic seats made of genuine leather, there is no desire to get out of the SUV; in such a car, it is probably pleasant to make long trips, while getting tired to a minimum.
The driver's seat is adjustable in 8 directions, the adjacent one, the navigator's seat, is simpler and is adjustable only in 4 directions. All changes are due to the work of quiet motors. Both seats are electrically heated and have active head restraints to protect the neck and reduce the risk of injury.
The spacious cabin has plenty of room for everyone, including the back row passengers. You can stretch, stretch your arms and no tightness. Large space and premium finishes create an atmosphere of total relaxation.
The second row of seats has a separate climate control unit, heated seats and separate air ducts. The chairs are adjustable in two directions and there is a comfortable armrest between them.
Do not forget that, although the car is Chinese, it costs as much as two million rubles, which means that there can be no talk of any indulgences - the model must correspond to its cost and the application for a premium class.
The quality of plastic and leather is at the level, collected neatly, there are more than enough "bells and whistles".
Like the H2, the H9 is equipped with a multi-function steering wheel with a dozen buttons, the settings and subtleties of which, at times, are simply impossible to figure out. By the way, the steering wheel is electrically heated, which is very convenient for winter use. The instruments are classic, pointer-type, but between them there is a color screen with readings of the on-board computer.
In the middle of the torpedo is a huge, clear and bright display of a multifunctional computer. It is simultaneously a diagnostic center, navigation, and a music center. The interface is in Russian and is intuitive.
Parktronics, parking assistance system, air ionizer, LED interior lighting, sensor lights - all this is also there!
Automatic transmission lever - leather, good shape. The washer for switching driving modes is a complete analogue of the Land Rover Terrain Response. The upholstery of the seats, steering wheel and gear knob in genuine leather is in perfect harmony with the classic lacquered decor.
Summing up, we note that in terms of equipment Haval will outperform many well-known manufacturers. And all these “joys” are in the basic equipment! After all, there is only one complete set - the maximum.
Haval H9 engine
In China, the SUV can be ordered with a 245-horsepower version of the "turbo four", a 300-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 unit, as well as diesel engines with 190 and 313 hp. However, so far only one version of the engine is supplied to Russia, corresponding to the Elite configuration, this is a 2.0-liter turbo engine with a capacity of 218 hp. (324 Nm), aggregated six-speed "automatic" and four-wheel drive with the ability to connect a reduction gear.
By the way, one more pleasant moment in terms of equipment: the headlights are xenon, and in addition they are also rotary.
Options and prices
There is only one complete set, as mentioned above, - the maximum. Therefore, we will simply list everything that is included in it: a seven-seater interior made of genuine leather, six airbags, three-zone climate control, bi-xenon smart headlights (AFS), full power accessories, ESP, ABS, cruise control, parking sensors, rear view camera , central locking, multifunction steering wheel, xenon, six acoustic speakers, LCD display, as well as a variety of electronic driver assistants and a GPS satellite navigation system.Note that today the price of a crossover in Russia has grown. Haval H9 can be bought today for 2,299,900 rubles.
In Russia, Great Wall is loved: in the first four months of 2014, the Chinese managed to sell 5,595 cars, which is exactly one hundred more than Subaru, for example, could sell. 120 more than Lexus sold. Behind Volvo and Infiniti. Another thing is that "lagging" cars cost two, three, and some even five times more expensive than the most "sophisticated" Great Wall, so the revenue of the company from the Middle Kingdom is several times less. However, in the arsenal of the "Great Wall" there is a secret weapon that, like gunpowder, is not yet available to Europeans and Russians. These are Haval luxury SUVs.
One in three persons
On the global website of the brand, Haval calls itself the number one manufacturer in China in the SUV segment. The company's sports crossover even took part in the Dakar-2014 rally-raid and was able to climb the first step of the podium in the first “stage”, beating MINI, Toyota, Ford and Chevrolet!
True, then the car never got into the top three in its class. However, the majority of Russians don't care about either Dakar or Hawala - the brand is absolutely not promoted, and its premium quality can play a cruel joke with it.
At the end of August 2014, visitors to the Moscow Motor Show will be able to witness three models at once: H2, H6 Sport and H8. The first is a rather stylish-looking compact crossover, equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged GW4G15B engine and a 6-speed "mechanics". The gasoline unit is equipped with a variable valve timing system and produces 150 hp. and 210 Nm of thrust, and its level of harmful emissions meets the Euro-4 standard. In China itself, the model will go on sale only in July 2014 and only in front-wheel drive, although in the future, Haval promises other versions to its compatriots.
Haval H6 Sport is a bigger crossover. It is 4,640 mm long, 1,825 mm wide and 1,690 mm high, and the distance between the axles is 2 680 mm. These are the dimensions of a BMW X3 or Volvo XC60. The model can be either full or front wheel drive.
The choice of engines is quite luxurious: 2.4-liter naturally aspirated "four" with 163 hp. (210 Nm) can be combined with a 5-speed "mechanics" or 4-speed "automatic", and with a 6-speed "mechanics" are offered a 2.0-liter 150-horsepower (310 Nm) turbodiesel or a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline unit from Haval H2. At the same time, the package of the "six" may include a panoramic sunroof, electric front seats, six airbags from Autoliv, a stabilization system, a rear view camera, xenon, a keyless entry system, an engine start button, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control and much other equipment. A set, frankly, worthy of the Korean and Japanese levels.
One can only guess what options one of the top models Haval H8 will offer, which is already playing in the league of Volkswagen Touareg class cars: it is 4,800 mm long, 1,938 mm wide, 1,785 mm high, and a wheelbase of 2,915 mm. The model's arsenal includes a 2.0-liter turbo engine with 218 hp. (324 Nm) and a 6-speed automatic transmission that transmits traction to all wheels.
According to rumors, the cost of this car in Russia will start from the mark "for a million rubles" - such a price has never been seen by any Great Wall. But in stock there are also models H3, H5, H7, H9 and even a coupe-crossover with a hybrid power plant, which is still in the concept stage. That is, it is not a problem for Haval to fill up our market with crossovers for every taste, and given the speed of the appearance of these cars, the manufacturer will be able to come up with and offer any model that the Russians wish. But will they wish?
Chinese premium vs Japanese
On the one hand, Russians still have little faith in Chinese brands, as well as in everything Chinese. Even the third plant, which plans to build a Great Wall in the Tula region, and where the Chinese can, but do not want to assemble Haval, is not able to change the situation. Yes, the "Chinese" are not what they used to be: they do not smell like shoe polish inside, they do not fall apart when a plastic bottle gets into the hood, and companies such as Chery even seek help from British Lotus engineers to customize their cars.
However, cars assembled in both Russia and China traditionally cause skepticism among the majority of Russians. And even more so Chinese cars assembled in Russia. And although sales of some brands are slowly but surely increasing, the overall picture is that in the first four months of 2014, the share of Chinese cars in Russia fell by 3.3%.
The second negative factor for Haval is our Euro-American mentality: Chinese, but what can I say, Korean and any other South Asian premium is still beyond the Russian understanding.
Take Taiwanese brand Luxgen, for example. The only crossover of this brand, Luxgen7 SUV, is sold in Russia in such quantities that a first-grader can easily count: 62 plus 57 - so many cars were sold in 2013 (sales started in September) and in the first 4 months of 2014. The Taiwanese are forced to cut prices just as all other automakers are raising them. At the same time, Luxgen immediately announced its premium quality, and Haval, whatever one may say, will be associated with the Great Wall.
And Haval will have no competitors, except for Luxgen, in Russia. No one will be able to say: but instead of Chery Tiggo I will take the Hover H2 crossover ... At the same time, Tiggo for the Russian is an outdated familiar Toyota RAV4, the design of which went its own way, and no one even saw Haval. And if the stand of the Chinese brand at the Moscow Motor Show is not full of half-naked girls, then he will not see.
Still, Haval's tenacity at home is commendable. The "Chinese" with gasoline turbo engines, 6-speed automatic transmissions, rear-view cameras and other gadgets look much more modern than the same Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, which did not even move beyond five automatic transmissions, not to mention the gluttonous gasoline V8s. But Toyota's image is stronger than the American missile defense system in Europe. Haval, however, contains great potential, but so far he has only a “ring”, and he still has three long series to go to the status of “lord of the rings”.
Often car lovers from the Middle Kingdom are asked questions - who produces Haval cars? Who is the Haval car manufacturer? Who is the Haval car manufacturer? Whose is the Hawal car? or whose production of the Hawail machines? - The country in which cars under the Haval brand are produced is China.
Russia after signing in 2014 with China mutually beneficial contractwill start its production of Chinese Haval at future automotiveplant in the Tula region.
Haval (Hawal, Havail) meaning of the word, (badge (sign), emblem, logo)
The meaning of the word Haval in China does not have any, it only reads as “ Hafu "... However, if you dig deeper about the Haval emblem, then the logo is literally constructed from “ I have all "in translation (" I have everything ")... In English, the logo reads as “ Hawal "... And here is the pronunciation " Haveil " - invented specifically for buyers from Russia.
Haval vehicles supplied to the Russian market are manufactured by Great Wall. These cars are relatively inexpensive, and in Russia they are often called "Hover", because the original name is very reminiscent of the rather crude "Hawal", although it sounds like "Hawale". Great Wall manufactures not only the cars themselves, but also the main Haval parts.
However, Haval cars are becoming more and more popular, so the manufacturer ditched the old Hover brand. Haval and Hover cars and parts are produced at several factories in Russia. New Haval cars are definitely high-quality transport, as much as possible for Chinese manufacturers. The lineup of the company includes both crossovers for the city and full-fledged SUVs. In terms of their characteristics, comfort and technological level, they significantly surpass the old "Hovers".
Lineup of Chinese cars Haval (Hawal, Haval)
Haval H9
The powerful SUV Haval H9 is equipped with a 217-horsepower engine with a volume of two liters, although a configuration with a turbo diesel engine of 300/313 hp is also offered. and a volume of 3 liters. The structure of the car is frame, there are two options in lengths of 4.86 or 5.09 meters.
Haval H6
Released in 2013, the Haval H6 SUV is also known as the Great Wall H6. There is also a restyled version of the Haval H6 Sport. The basis for this car was the Honda CR-V. A complete set with a 1.5-liter engine and a capacity of 143 "horses" is being sold in Russia.
Haval H2
In 2013, the Chinese Haval H2 came off the assembly line. It is equipped with a turbocharged engine that holds up to 1.5 liters of gasoline and produces 150 horsepower. In the future, it should enter the Russian market.
Haval H8
The Chinese Haval H8 was first demonstrated in 2012 in Beijing. However, then he bore the H7 marking, which changed to H8 the following year. Powered by a powerful direct injection engine capable of delivering up to 218 horsepower.
Haval H6 Coupe
Produced in 2014. Auto Haval H6 is equipped with either a two-liter engine with a capacity of 197 hp, or a turbodiesel of the same volume, but with a capacity of 163 "horses". It has not entered the Russian market yet, but the developers plan to change this.
Haval H6 Sport
Auto Haval H6 also has a sports modification. This crossover was demonstrated in 2013 in Shanghai, and depending on the modification, it can be equipped with engines with a capacity of 150/163 horsepower and a volume of 1.5 / 2.4 liters.
Haval H7
This Haval machine is one of the newest. It is a powerful crossover with two rows of passenger seats and a 231-horsepower two-liter engine. It can be equipped with a six-speed gearbox, robotic or mechanical.
Haval H5
In 2014 it appeared as the Haval H7 car, but over time the name has changed. The characteristics of the Haval H5 depend on the equipment. Equipped with two-liter engines, either turbocharged gasoline and 197 hp, or diesel 163 hp.
Haval H1
It was released in 2014, based on the Great Wall C20R. In any configuration, the engine volume is 1.5 liters, depending on it, the characteristics of the Haval H1 can be 106 or 147 horsepower.
Haval as an independent brand appeared recently, in 2013. Company management Great wall decided to transfer their SUVs Hover into a separate brand aimed at conquering the European market.
At home, in the Asian market, Hover quickly gained popularity due to its low price and frame construction. Plus the car had an attractive appearance borrowed from Isuzu axiom, reliable chassis from Toyota 4Runner and the engine from the company Mitsubishi.
For the release of this SUV, Great Wall received the National CCTV Car of the Year award in 2005.
In the same year, Hover was “launched” on the Russian market and gained quite good popularity here due to its good dynamic qualities and unpretentiousness. The Russian car market has always been a priority for Great Wall, and after the success of Hover, the automaker began to consider plans to organize the production of its cars here.
So, in 2006, Hover SUVs began to be assembled at a new plant in the village of Gzhel near Moscow. Since its appearance on the Russian car market, Hover sales have grown rapidly: in 2005, when the car was just on sale, they amounted to 112 cars a year, in 2006 - 492 cars, and in 2007 - already 2,375.
In 2011, a new generation of SUV is released - Hover h3... The car was created with an eye on the European car market and went on sale under the name Haval. The exterior of the car was created from scratch by Italian designers.
After the release of the H3, Great Wall gradually abandoned the Hover brand in favor of the Haval, although for some time after its appearance, the H3 was produced under two brands at once.
In the same year, another new car of the Chinese automaker appears - a crossover. Hover h6created on its own unique platform. The vehicle wins the 2012 Chinese SUV award.
In March 2013, the millionth Haval SUV was sold. A new urban crossover was unveiled at the 2014 Beijing International Auto Show Haval H2.
In the same year, Great Wall's management stopped the development of Hover SUVs in favor of the new Haval brand. The first foreign market where the new brand was officially presented was the Russian car market. In 2013, models were presented at the Moscow International Motor Show H2, H6, H8, Coupe C and the flagship model of the brand and at the same time its only seven-seater car - an SUV Haval H9.
At the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show, Haval unveiled 17 car models and 5 powertrains, as well as a prototype chassis for a hybrid powertrain.
