2024 GWM Haval Jolion Pro small SUV: MG ZST rival likely for Australia

The 2024 GWM Haval Jolion Pro – or Chitu as it’s known in China, which means ‘red rabbit’ – appears likely for Australia.

GWM South Africa has announced it’ll introduce the Haval Jolion Pro small SUV between April and June 2024 to replace some Jolion variants, including the Jolion Hybrid and more-powerful Jolion S.

Like Australia, cars sold in South Africa are right-hand drive and most manufacturers offer similar line-ups in each nation.

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Australia appears to be next in line to receive the Jolion Pro – which could adopt a different name locally – after it was spotted in transit in Melbourne recently.

A two-pronged small SUV line-up would match the Jolion’s MG ZS arch-rival, also from China, which includes the standard ZS or the dearer ZST with a different look and an optional turbo engine.

GWM-Haval also sells the standard H6 midsize SUV and its coupe-styled H6 GT twin in Australia.

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Pictured: 2023 GWM Haval Jolion S interior

The right-hand drive Haval Jolion Pro has some minor differences compared to the Chinese-market Chitu, which launched there in 2021.

This is particularly evident on the inside, where the Chitu’s unique dashboard is swapped out for one that appears identical to the Jolion.

The petrol Haval Jolion Pro features the same 130kW/270Nm 1.5-litre turbo-four as the current Jolion S, matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and front-wheel drive – up from 110kW/220Nm in standard Jolion variants.

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Like the Jolion S, the Pro also has multi-link independent rear suspension instead of a torsion-beam.

The GWM Haval Jolion S is currently listed as being in ‘low stock’ with a $3000 discount available until March 31.

South African media reports the Jolion Pro Hybrid retains the current Jolion Hybrid’s 140kW/370Nm powertrain mated to a ‘dedicated hybrid transmission’.

Measuring 4470mm long, 1898mm wide and 1625mm tall, with a 2700mm wheelbase, the Jolion Pro is 2mm shorter, 57mm wider and 51mm taller than the Jolion, with an unchanged wheelbase.

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In China, the Haval Jolion – which means ‘first love’ in Mandarin – replaced the Haval H2, while the Chitu/Jolion Pro is the successor to the Haval F5. Both models are based on GWM’s ‘LEMON’ platform.

Only the Chitu is still available in China as the Jolion became an export-focused model in 2021.

The 2024 GWM Haval Jolion Pro is expected to arrive in Australia soon. Stay tuned to Wheels for the latest information.

Below: The current 2024 GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid

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