GWM is gearing up to introduce its wildest ute yet.
Spy photographs published by MyDrivers and Car News China depict a monstrous six-wheeled version of the premium Shanhai Cannon pickup undergoing testing.
At this stage, it’s expected the GWM Shanhai Cannon 6×6 will be revealed at the 2023 Shanghai motor show in April and will launch in China soon after.
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Photo credit: MyDrivers
According to a leaked slide also published by MyDrivers, the 6×6 ute was originally intended to launch in China in May 2021 but was delayed due to the COVID pandemic.
This leaked slide also shows an uncamouflaged version of this ute with its large tyres, flared wheel arches, body cladding, sports bar, and covered tub.
It’s unclear if the Shanhai Cannon 6×6 will offer the four-wheeled model’s unusual split tailgate, or if it will have a traditional one instead.
Pointing out the obvious, the GWM Shanhai Cannon 6×6 has two extra wheels which makes it longer than the regular four-wheel drive model.
It’s unclear how much longer the Shanhai Cannon 6×6 is, but the regular model measures in at 5440mm long, 1991mm wide, and 1924mm tall with a 3350mm wheelbase.
According to reports from China, power will come from an unmodified 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system, producing 268kW of power and 500Nm of torque.
It will be mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with drive expected to be sent through an all-wheel drive system to all six wheels.
The regular Shanhai Cannon is also available with a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine and a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol hybrid. The latter of these is the same setup used in the GWM Tank 300 Hybrid.
On the inside the spied Shanhai Cannon 6×6 prototype has a very similar layout to the regular four-wheeled model. It’s also very similar to the GWM Tank 500‘s interior.
The spied Shanhai Cannon 6×6 prototype changes it up though with a range of yellow highlights on the seats, and door armrest.
Although the GWMN Shanhai Cannon 6×6 may never launch in Australia, CarExpert understands the regular four-wheeled model could launch in Australia later in the year.
There’s a good chance it could become the first hybrid model in the Australian ute segment given GWM’s focus on electrified vehicles.
GWM has been busily rolling out a wide variety of new utes in China.
In addition to the regular Cannon, sold here as the Ute, there are more commercial-focused models plus the longer King Kong Cannon and aforementioned, more premium Shanhai Cannon.
The Cannon/Ute has also spawned a truncated, single-cab four-wheel drive model called the Artillery.
MORE: 2023 GWM Shanhai Cannon ute revealed with turbo V6, hybrid
