Anticipated two years ago as Wey Coffee 02, the Wey 03 is a plug-in hybrid SUV from Great Wall Motors that is now officially introduced in the Old Continent, including Denmark and Sweden (not sure if it will be available also in Norway). The Chinese giant has revised its strategy, and while initially planning to arrive with separate Wey and Ora brands, from 2024, according to One GWM, the two names will be separate lines under the GWM brand.
The Wey 03 is a powerful and well-crafted SUV that focuses on performance, comfort, and a commitment to sustainability, making it one of the few non-100% electric Chinese cars to arrive in Europe.
Wey 03: Quality and Technology
Measuring 4.7 meters, the Wey 03 enters an already rich competition, including the Volvo XC40, Lynk & Co 01, the DS 7 E-Tense with 360 HP, and offerings from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes.
It boasts a distinctive design, particularly at the front, with a chrome grille dominating the entire front fascia and slim LED headlights. Chrome accents also surround the side air intakes and the second lower grille, providing a sense of elegance.
With a wheelbase of 2.7 meters, the Wey 03 offers ample space for rear passengers. The rear features a more classic design, with a slightly inclined rear window hosting a spoiler, regular-shaped taillights, and a chrome line spanning the full width of the tailgate.
Inside, quality materials, including Alcantara, are evident, along with cutting-edge technology. This includes a large central display on the dashboard, followed by the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a third display on the tunnel for climate control.
Up to 442 HP and 0.5 liters per 100 km
The Wey 03 features a plug-in hybrid system utilizing high-performance lithium-ion batteries from Svolt, a GWM subsidiary specializing in developing batteries for electric vehicles. The 34 kWh battery provides an electric range of 136 km, currently the highest in its category, enabling daily electric travel for various needs.
Another advantage is the ability to recharge the battery up to 50 kW in direct current, with charging times for 80% taking around 20 minutes, similar to fully electric cars. This allows the utilization of highway charging stations, enabling very low consumption even on highway routes, leading to economic benefits.
The thermal engine is a 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine with 204 HP and a nine-speed transmission. In the AWD version, this results in a total power of 442 HP and a torque of 685 Nm, achieving 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and a top speed of 230 km/h. The declared fuel consumption is 0.5 liters per 100 km according to the WLTP cycle. There is also a two-wheel-drive version, delivering 367 HP and 500 Nm of torque
