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NEWS
Haval targets caravan crowd
Chinese brand plans to improve H9 SUV’s underdone tow ratings later this yearChinese car maker Haval plans to boost its H9’s towing capacity closer to rivals like Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport later this year with an upgraded suspension, a stronger accessory towbar and improved engine and transmission.
The H9 currently has a Prado-like 2500kg total towing capacity, but its maximum Tow Ball Mass is hobbled at just 100kg. While this figure, around four to five percent of maximum towing capacity, is a typical TBM set for European markets, it’s way under the 10 per cent expected – and needed – by caravanners in Australia.
Partly to address the TBM issue, Haval Australia has joined forces with local off-road suspension specialist Ironman 4x4 to build a prototype 50mm-lift suspension kit for the H9.
Tim Smith, chief marketing officer at Haval Australia, said that the kit is one avenue to improved towing capacity.
“We’re looking at a couple of options, one of them is with Ironman,” he explained. “Ironman’s objective is to not just provide a more robust suspension kit that can tailor for the more serious off-roader but also one able to give customer a bit more flexibility with towing.
“At 2.5 tonne, we’re just at the median side of towing capacity. We’d like a stronger towball weight, so Ironman’s going to help with that.”
Smith added that the new suspension alone won’t get the H9 to 10 per cent (250kg) TBM.
“I think we’re going to struggle to get to that [10 percent TBM). I think that what you’ll find is that we’ll get a lot more than we’ve got,” he said.
“We’re at about five per cent at the moment, but particularly with the suspension upgrade we’re looking to increase the capacity by at least 100kg.
“If we can do that I think that we’ve been a major success. I think that puts us up to small to medium-size single-axle trailer boat and good-size caravans.”
Many of the H9’s competitors in the large SUV class not only have a much higher TBM limit, they also have better towing capacity overall. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has 3100kg/310kg maximums; the Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X and Holden Trailblazer 3000kg/300kg, while the Toyota Fortuner (auto) is set at 2800kg/280kg.
However a MY2018 Haval H9 due down under in November, brings output improvements to its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (power is up 20kW to 180kW and torque improves 26Nm to 350Nm) and an eight-speed auto will replace the existing six-speed transmission.
Smith believes the new model will bring with it the chance to aim for even better towing numbers.
“With the new H9 coming at the end of the year, the new engine and transmission also adds to the towability of the car,” he said.
“We’re also working with a few suppliers to supply a stronger towbar assembly that will help with not only towball download but also overall capacity. I can’t tell you too much about it, because the tests aren’t finished yet, but we’d like to increase it.”
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Written byPhilip Lord
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