Here comes the Big Dog! Haval Dargo trademarked for Australia as China takes on everything from the Toyota LandCruiser Prado to the Jeep Wrangler

Haval is lining up a new SUV assault in Australia, with the Chinese brand trademarking the Haval Dargo - known in China as the Big Dog - to take on off-road-focused models like the LandCruiser Prado and Jeep Wrangler.

A trademark application was lodged by the Great Wall Motor Company Limited in December, with the application yet to be examined. When approved, it will clear the way for Haval to launch the Dargo in Australia, with our market long considered a target for the Chinese brand's off-road SUV aspirations.

The Dargo measures 4620mm in length, 1890mm in width and 1780mm in height, which makes it shorter, but wider and taller, than the Toyota's iconic Prado.

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Unlike some off-road-focused SUVs, the Dargo does not ride on a ladder-frame chassis, with Haval instead dialling up the off-road capability of its more traditional SUV underpinnings.

That includes twin differential locks, a BorgWarner intelligent 4WD system, six pre-configured drive modes covering everything from sand to snow, and off-road screens built into the multimedia screens.

The Dargo serves up approach, departure and break-over angles of 24, 30 and 22 degrees, and ground clearance of 200mm, as well a nifty "transparent chassis" that delivers a birds-eye view of the ground beneath the Dargo, without the body getting in the way.

The Big Dog is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering 155kW/325Nm to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, though GWM is also thought to be working on a new diesel power plant, too, and good for a reported 135kW and 480Nm.

With a Dargo having already been brought into Australia for evaluation purposes, and the trademark application now underway, look for Australia's new Big Dog to touch down in 2022.