Great Wall Motor’s Tank brand of rugged off-roaders is arriving in Australia, though these vehicles will be sold under the GWM banner.
UPDATE, 30/05/2023 – GWM has confirmed more affordable petrol-powered Tank 300s for Australia.
It says customers should be able to view and/or test-drive petrol models at its dealers in the coming days, before customer deliveries begin.
Deliveries have yet to begin for the hybrid, announced back in December.
“We are still experiencing some challenges with Tank 300 Hybrid supply and continuing our discussions with the factory on this,” the company says.
The GWM Tank 300 is a rugged, body-on-frame SUV smaller than ute-based models like the Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
Unlike those models, there’s also no option of a third row of seating.
There’s a choice of petrol and hybrid powertrains, with the range opening at $46,990 drive-away.
The Tank 300 offers a turbocharged hybrid four-cylinder, something no other body-on-frame SUV can offer in Australia. Hybrid leader Toyota offers an electrified Tundra-based Sequoia overseas, but has no hybrid versions – yet – of its Fortuner, LandCruiser Prado or LandCruiser 300 Series.
It’s expected to be joined by the larger GWM Tank 500 in due course, which is sized between the Toyota LandCruiser Prado and 300 Series but has an available plug-in hybrid powertrain.
The latter could be one of the six or seven electrified models CarExpert understands GWM will introduce in Australia by the end of 2023.
The Tank 300 was originally revealed as a product of GWM’s upscale Wey brand, before the company decided to spin Tank off into its own brand.
In Australia, however, GWM is consolidating around its namesake brand. Haval products are now badged as GWM Havals, and vehicles from the Ora electric vehicle brand will likewise be sold as GWM Oras.
Pricing
- 2023 GWM Tank 300 Lux: $46,990
- 2023 GWM Tank 300 Ultra: $50,990
- 2023 GWM Tank 300 Lux Hybrid: $55,990
- 2023 GWM Tank 300 Ultra Hybrid: $60,990
All prices are drive-away.
Drivetrains
Petrol
The 2023 GWM Tank 300 uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine produces 162kW of power and 380Nm of torque, mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Petrol models use a part-time four-wheel drive system and feature a locking rear differential and a Tank Turn function to reduce the turning circle.
Hybrid
The Tank 300 hybrid uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 180kW of power at 5500-6000rpm and 380Nm of torque at 1700-4000rpm, paired with a 78kW/268Nm electric motor.
While GWM hasn’t published total hybrid system outputs in Australia, the company’s global site claims outputs of 224kW and 640Nm and a 0-100km/h time of 7.9 seconds.
Hybrid models use a nine-speed ‘Hybrid Automatic Transmission’ and a ‘torque-on-demand’ full-time four-wheel drive system.
It features electronically controlled mechanical front and rear differential locks, a Tank Turn function to reduce the turning circle, and a crawl mode.
Efficiency
The GWM Tank 300 uses 10.7L/100km on the combined cycle in petrol guise and 10.3L/100km as a hybrid.
All models run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel.
Dimensions
The 2023 GWM Tank 300 measures 4760mm long, 1930mm wide and 1903mm tall.
It rides a 2750mm wheelbase and has 224mm of ground clearance. Its approach angle is 33 degrees and its departure angle is 34 degrees.
Braked towing capacity is 2500kg on petrol and hybrid models.
Servicing and Warranty
The 2023 GWM Tank 300 will be backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years of roadside assistance.
There will also be five years of capped-price servicing, though prices have yet to be announced.
Safety
The GWM Tank 300 has yet to be assessed by ANCAP.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Traffic sign recognition
- Rear cross-traffic alert with brake
- Adaptive cruise control
- Seven airbags (front, side, curtain and centre)
- Surround-view camera with ‘Transparent Chassis Function’
Hybrid models also get six parking sensors (instead of four), plus front cross-traffic assist.
Standard Equipment
The Lux and Lux Hybrid feature:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Auto-folding, heated exterior mirrors
- LED headlights and tail lights
- Daytime running lights
- Sunroof
- Two-piece under-body guard
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Crawl Control
- Tank Turn
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Power driver’s seat
- ‘Comfort-Tek’ leather upholstery
- Microfibre and leather steering wheel
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Front and rear USB ports
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Nine-speaker audio system
- Ambient interior lighting
- DAB+ digital radio
- 12V power outlets (front and luggage cabin)
The Ultra adds:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Nappa leather seats
- Heated and cooled front seats
- Power’s driver seat with massage function
- Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Wireless phone charging
- ‘Infinity’ branded nine-speaker sound system
- More ambient lighting colours
The Ultra Hybrid adds:
- Semi-autonomous parking assist
- Driver’s seat and mirror memory
- Auto reverse tracking
Colours
Fossil Grey is standard, with the following finishes a $595 option:
- Dusk Orange
- Lunar Red
- Crystal Black
- Pearl White
MORE: Everything GWM Tank 300
