GWM POER 300
TESTED 10.9.25, WARWICKSHIRE DELIVERIES NOW
Chinese firm introduces hard-working diesel pick-up truck for just £31k
The slew of Chinese cars being launched in the UK seems to be never-ending, but they’re usually electric crossovers, not diesel-engined pick-up trucks like Great Wall Motor’s new Poer 300 (pronounced ‘power’) here.
It has been on sale since 2022 in Australia and New Zealand, where it’s known as the Cannon. While the Poer name is an odd choice for the UK, at least GWM didn’t call it Wingle, which appears on one of its other pick-ups in China.
The Poer 300 expands GWM’s UK model range to three, following the Ora 03 electric hatchback (formerly known as the Ora Funky Cat) and Haval Jolion Pro hybrid crossover.
It’s the first pick-up to be sold here by GWM since the Steed (2013-2016), which was cheap and practical but also terrible to drive.
Things are much better in the Poer 300. Solely available with a double-cab body, its mechanical make-up is fairly conventional. Power comes from a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that produces 181bhp and 354lb ft of torque and is managed by a nine-speed automatic gearbox. All the usual off-road equipment is standard: switchable four-wheel drive, a low-range gearbox and a rear locking differential.