Haval and Tank Visit Bandung

The Tank variant entering Indonesia is Tank 500. This is a large-sized car, aka a full-size SUV with dimensions of 5 meters long and 1.9 meters high. The combustion engine has a capacity of 1,998 cc with a turbo that consumes gasoline with a minimum of Ron 92 octane. The power produced together with the electric motor reaches 350 PS and a maximum torque of 648 Nm.

The Tank 500 is positioned as a premium class SUV with complete features and superior comfort. The ladder frame scheme puts it on the same level as the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 or Nissan Patrol. However, the price is not as high as the newest Land Cruiser. PT IIEB has set the price of the Tank 500 at IDR 1.19 billion. This is the most expensive car from China on the Indonesian market currently.

The Tank 500's capabilities and comfort will be tested during the Jakarta-Bandung-Jakarta trip from Tuesday to Wednesday (7-8/5/2024). This event was attended by 18 journalists from various media, who took turns tasting two Tank 500 test units, as well as four Haval H6 units. Both are hybrid powered, aka hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).

Kompas got to ride a tank first, until the Cipularang Kilometer 88 toll road rest area. Driving a big car gives another sensation. There is a superior impression that is obtained. A high sitting position increases self-confidence.

Motorbikes or cars, even those dubbed "kings of the road", seemed to be powerless. At least, that was the first impression felt while driving this car from Senayan, Jakarta, to the Cipularang Toll Road.

The Tank 500's ability to absorb shock is also very good. It doesn't sway like other ladder frame chassis cars.

It is difficult to ignore the image of the Tank as a car for "important people" with its aggressive appearance. Its front is adorned with thick chrome accents in the style of an American SUV. The trapezium-shaped curves of the body from the rear reinforce the impression of strength. The 20-inch wheel circumference supports this superior impression. The aggressive image is inherent in this car.

The large power makes this car able to move quickly. The acceleration is nimble even though it's not too "snatching". It could be that the car's three ton weight factor slightly reduces its aggressiveness. But driving at speeds above 100 kilometers per hour feels stable. If there is no reflection of the speed number on the driver's window (head-up display), you may not realize that the car is going that fast.

The Tank 500's ability to absorb shock is also very good. It doesn't sway like other ladder frame chassis cars. The combination of individual suspension on the front wheels and a single axle at the rear makes this car tend to ride smoothly - there is a stiff feel that makes it stable over shocks at high speed.

The exterior comfort is brought into the car cabin. The driver and front passenger seats can be configured in such a way and can be saved up to three patterns. Both front row seats can "massage" the back with eight movement options. This comfort is added with seats that can emit cool air.

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The second-row passengers, who are supposed to be occupied by car owners, are also comfortable. Sitting on leather-wrapped Nappa seats is satisfying because the thighs are well-supported. The backrest of the second-row seat can also be reclined, with legroom that is quite spacious for passengers with a height of about 175 centimeters.

Speeding on low-obstacle routes such as toll roads, various driving features, such as lane keeping assist (LKA) and adaptive cruise control (adaptive cruise control/ACC). Regarding the ACC feature, there is one weakness, namely the braking system which bites too much if the speed decreases. This has an uncomfortable impact on car occupants.

This high driving position is also worrying for those who are not used to driving big cars. This is especially felt when having to navigate through the super dense traffic in the Buah Batu area of Bandung during rush hour. The view to the front left corner feels limited by the engine hood. The body of a motorcycle on the left side, which is too close, is not fully visible.

Flexible on the ground

Its status as an SUV, especially in the prestigious class, means it should be skilled on dirt tracks. This is one of the main agenda items for this trial. The off-road track was designed in such a way at the Cavalry Weapons Center complex, Lengkong area, Bandung City. At this military base, Tank 500 met actual TNI AD tanks.

Two 500-tank units took turns circling the ground path with several obstacles; mounds of soil and a path submerged in around 40 centimeters of water. This could be considered a "light test" for the Tank 500 as the soil layer was dry. Therefore, regular-tread tires could easily grip it.

Even so, participants are taught how to properly cross the obstacle. It is recommended that every obstacle be traversed using the creeping or crawling method. Activating it is very easy, just press the 4L button in the neutral transmission position. Trigger it a little with a touch of the gas pedal, then the car creeps by itself. The assistance feature on inclines and descents prevents the car from sliding out of control.

A similar method is applied when passing through a pond, which was originally made with a water depth of 50 centimeters, but the water has expanded due to heat. The creeping mode without stepping on the gas pedal at all keeps the car moving despite the muddy pond base. The rotating power to all four wheels is well distributed.

One of the advantages of the Tank 500 is the flexibility of its suspension, which is supported by its large wheel arch. The suspension can bend sharply, and stay moving even when two tires on opposite sides hang. On other obstacles, the car can run at an angle that makes the occupant's body tilt. In the test arena, we made the car tilt up to 23 degrees.

Another feature we tested was tank turn. So, this car can turn with a relatively sharp turning radius. Imagine, a big car 5 meters long can rotate 360 ​​degrees with a turning radius of 4.4 meters. Without this feature, the Tank 500's turning radius is claimed to be 5.6 meters. So, the tank turn feature cuts the turning radius to 1.2 meters.

The weight of the car affects the driving feel. The tank has a lot of power, but also a lot of weight.

This feature is useful for dodging on narrow paths with soft surfaces. The activation mechanism uses a combination of 4L gear and hill descent assist/HDA. The HDA feature holds the speed of the front wheels when the steering wheel is twisted to the maximum. This is like drifting using low gear relying on the rotational power of the rear wheels.

Tank 500 targets top officials and executives in various institutions. That's what Hari Arifianto, Marketing Director of GWM Indonesia, said. Since its exhibition in 2023, Hari stated that around 50 units of Tank 500 have been ordered. Most of the buyers are business owners. In addition to Jabodetabek, buyers also come from other cities, such as Surabaya, Medan, and Pekanbaru.

Bringing in premium class cars is also part of the marketing strategy for new brands like GWM. ”Flagship models such as the Tank 500 strengthen the brand image. "This will make it easier for the model below to be accepted by the market," said Hari.

Haval's agility

On the second day, Kompas received a Haval H6 car which is classified as a medium SUV. The main competitor in this class is the Honda CR-V, whose latest generation is also hybrid powered. The Hyundai Santa Fe which is still circulating in Indonesia has a diesel engine.

The dimensions of the Haval H6, which measures 4.6 meters in length, feel more agile when maneuvering on urban roads, especially in the relatively narrow but busy streets of Bandung. This car, with its unique accented grille, has no trouble navigating the never-empty Cihampelas Road. The steering wheel turns smoothly, and the 175-centimeter ground clearance provides a clear view for the driver.

The Haval H6 is equipped with a 4-cylinder, 1,499cc turbocharged engine. The maximum power of the engine and electric motor reaches 327 PS with a torque of 530 Nm. This is more than enough to drive on the highway.

The relatively high power is inversely proportional to its lighter weight compared to Tank 500. As a result, the pull feels more "grasping".

"The weight of a car has an influence on its driving experience. The tank has great power, but its weight is also significant. Meanwhile, the Haval's weight is not as heavy," said Triyono, Senior Technical & Quality Manager of GWM Indonesia.

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The Haval H6 seems more reasonable for users who do not prioritize prestige. Its fuel consumption is also considered efficient compared to the Tank 500. During a trip from Bandung to Jakarta via toll road, covering approximately 145 kilometers with an average speed of 45 km/h, the Haval H6's gasoline consumption was recorded at 19.6 kilometers per liter.

The facilities obtained by Haval owners are quite complete. The range of driving assistance or advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) available is almost as complete as the Tank 500. The difference is, the Haval H6 is front-wheel drive only. The entertainment system integrated in the 10.25 inch center screen can be connected via or without cables to a cell phone.

The superior feature that was tested at the event was the ability to reverse automatically orauto reversing assist. This feature accurately remembers the distance and last turn made by the driver. The feature will be deactivated if you see an obstacle behind you, so the car will be safe from collisions.

In addition, this car can also search for and park itself, both parallel and in a series. The automatic parking feature is activated by touching the screen when the camera has captured enough space. Drivers do not need to turn the steering wheel or step on any pedals. It's practical.

Currently, the Haval H6 is being sold for IDR 595.8 million, which is around IDR 200 million cheaper than the Honda CR-V RS e:HEV. The price is tempting for SUV enthusiasts who require a capable vehicle for long-distance travel.