Imperial Group impressed by forthcoming FAW V2 hatchback

"The attractively styled V2 will be the second passenger vehicle in our range, where it will join the Sirius seven-seater MPV and panel van, and we are looking forward to the introduction of the V2 hatchback in South Africa later this year," said the GM responsible for FAW passenger cars and light commercials in South Africa, Pedro Pereira.

"We are hopeful of being able to introduce the newcomer at a retail price below the R100 000 barrier, which will make it very competitive in view of the fact that it is fitted with a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine, while most competitors in this segment have smaller capacity power units."

A pre-launch unit has been undergoing a series of evaluations under local operating conditions and those people involved have included a number of engineers from FAW in China.

The local person responsible for the test programme, the FAW passenger and LCV technical manager, Johan Ackerman, is delighted with the results and said that no problems were experienced during a five-day trip of more than 5,000km, which included a variety of roads surfaces, mountain passes and sections on gravel roads.

Impressed by the road-holding and handling

Ackerman said that he was particularly impressed by the road-holding and handling, as well as ride comfort with a fully laden car and added that the V2 was stable at highway speeds.

The route went from Johannesburg to Upington and then on to Cape Town with two days of sea-level testing in the Western Cape before travelling back to Johannesburg.

Fuel consumption was very good at 6.1L/100km as there were four occupants in the car and they travelled between 115km/h and 120km/h when conditions permitted. The tank range to an empty 37-litre tank was 562km.

FAW entered the local passenger and LCV market at the beginning of the year with the launch of the Sirius panel van and people carrier, first with a 1.3-litre engine and now with the option of a 1.5-litre power unit.

"We currently have a national network of 22 dealers and the growing model line-up is resulting in increased interest in the FAW franchise. Most of our dealers are multi-franchise Imperial facilities. We are currently in talks with several interested parties and expect to open a few more FAW outlets shortly," added Pereira.