The GWM Tank 300 has made its debut in showrooms, and its larger counterpart, the GWM Tank 500, might not be too far behind. CarExpert reports that the Tank 500 could arrive in Australia by the end of 2023, alongside the new Shanhai Cannon ute. The SUV is under serious consideration for the Australian market, and GWM has been working on a business case for its introduction.
Recently, two Tank 500 models were spotted in Australia. One was a camouflaged right-hand drive version, while the other was an undisguised left-hand drive plug-in hybrid model. The Tank 500 measures 5070mm long, 1934mm wide, and 1905mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2750mm. In comparison, the Toyota LandCruiser Prado is 4995mm long, 1885mm wide, 1890mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2790mm.
The Tank 500 was first unveiled at the Chengdu motor show in August 2021. It comes with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine, accompanied by a 48V mild-hybrid system. The SUV is equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering a total output of 260kW of power and 500Nm of torque through a four-wheel drive system.
Additionally, there is a hybrid version of the Tank 500, which features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, an electric motor integrated into the nine-speed automatic transmission, and a 1.7kWh battery pack. The hybrid system produces a total output of 180kW and 380Nm. Meanwhile, the Tank 500 PHEV version was revealed in December 2021 at the Guangzhou motor show, boasting a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a 19.94kWh battery pack. This variant has the highest power output so far, with 300kW and 750Nm. It claims a 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds and features the Hi-4T plug-in hybrid powertrain, which can power appliances up to 3.3kW.
Inside the Tank 500, you’ll find a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The SUV offers luxurious features such as Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and heated and ventilated front seats with eight massage modes.
The smaller Tank 300 is currently available at showrooms, but only in petrol form. The hybrid variant is expected to arrive in the third quarter of 2023.
The Tank brand was launched globally in 2021, focusing on rugged, body-on-frame SUVs. GWM aims to sell 350,000 vehicles worldwide this year and become the leading off-road SUV brand in China and the third-highest globally. By 2025, the goal is to sell 500,000 vehicles and become the top off-road SUV brand in the world. In 2022, Tank sold 123,881 vehicles globally, making it Great Wall Motor’s third best-selling brand.
In Australia, the Tank brand, along with Ora and Haval, is considered a sub-brand under GWM. These vehicles carry GWM branding. The Tank brand recently unveiled the Tank 400, which is similar in size to the Tank 500 but features more aggressive styling. There is also the Tank 700, which has bold, angular styling and is slightly larger than the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series. However, GWM Australia has stated that the Tank 400 is not currently part of its plans, and the Tank 700 is also unlikely to be introduced. GWM discontinued its previous large three-row SUV, the Haval H9, in 2021.