The GWM Tank 500 had already been confirmed to get a plug-in hybrid option in Australia, but the question remained: which one?
The large off-road SUV, a direct rival for the Toyota Prado, offers a choice of two different plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains in its home market of China, branded Hi4-T and Hi-4Z.
Now, Australian Government approval documents show it’s the Hi4-T powertrain – already seen here in the Cannon Alpha PHEV – that will be introduced Down Under in October.
GWM brought a left-hand drive example of the Hi4-T to Australia last year for journalists to drive. You can read our review here.
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The approval documents list a powertrain with a total system output of 300kW, and featuring a nine-speed automatic transmission, which aligns with Chinese-market Hi4-T specs.
Tare mass is listed as 2775kg – 219kg heavier than the hybrid – with a gross vehicle mass of 3430kg.
Braked towing capacity is identical to the hybrid at 3000kg and there are still front and rear differential locks, as well as similar approach, departure and breakover angles, plus an identical wading depth of 800mm.
However, ground clearance drops from 224mm to 213mm, while the Tank 500 PHEV also seats only five. If you want a third row of seating, then, you’ll have to stick with the hybrid.
While these approval documents don’t list battery details, the Chinese-market Hi4-T uses a 37.1kWh ternary lithium battery offering 110km of electric-only range under the WLTC cycle (120km under NEDC).
The Hi4-T’s fuel tank is 10L smaller than the hybrid’s at 70L, but it gains vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability which allows you to power external appliances. Maximum output is 3.3kW.
The battery features a pre-conditioning feature, allowing you to ensure it’s primed and ready to get the most efficient charge before you pull up to a plug.
A 180kW/380Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is mated with a 120kW/400Nm electric motor for total outputs of 300kW and 750Nm and a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds.
That’s quite different to the Hi4-Z powertrain offered in China, which uses the same engine but upgrades to a huge (for a PHEV) 59.05kWh battery offering 201km of electric range on the WLTC cycle.
The Tank 500 Hi4-Z also has claimed total system outputs of 635kW and 1195Nm, and a 0-100km/h time of just 4.6 seconds. Instead of a nine-speed auto, it uses what GWM describes as a power split plus a three-speed front-wheel drive module.
GWM Australia hasn’t said how much the Tank 500 PHEV will cost.
“A premium on a plug-in hybrid can range anywhere from $6000 to $15,000. It’s going to depend on the size of the battery pack,” said GWM Australia marketing and communications boss Steve Maciver in September 2024.
“Range and battery size is what defines pricing.”
GWM Australia managing director Charles Zhao said the company is looking at making pricing of its PHEVs competitive.
“I believe with the future [New Vehicle Efficiency Standard] regulations, maybe we’ll consider to use some of the scores that PHEVs can earn to compensate [for] the price increase of the PHEV to make the price of the PHEV more competitive,” he told CarExpert.
The Tank 500 range currently opens in Australia at $66,490 drive-away for the Lux Hybrid, rising to $73,900 drive-away for the Ultra Hybrid and $75,990 for the recently launched Vanta Hybrid range-topper.
The launch of the PHEV will expand the number of Tank 500 powertrains to two locally, but there are more offered overseas.
In China, the large off-roader can be had with a turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V6, while in Thailand it recently gained a turbo-diesel 2.4-litre four-cylinder.
GWM has previously said the V6 is “not the right choice” for it locally, given the introduction of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), while this particular diesel won’t come here.
A diesel engine is coming, however, with GWM confirming a larger 3.0-litre mill for the Tank 500 from 2027.
GWM Australia has been busy keeping the Tank 500 fresh since its 2024 launch.
It switched to a different suspension tune in the third quarter of 2024, which was claimed to improve its dynamics and composure on the road, then recalibrated its advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) software shortly thereafter. These updates are also now available to existing owners.
A new grille was also added earlier this year, as well as a blacked-out Vanta flagship.
A facelifted Tank 500 was revealed in China earlier this year, bringing new features like a built-in fridge and roof-mounted rear entertainment system, as well as cosmetic differences like a new grille and gear shifter. However, this update won’t come to Australia.