2023 GWM Shanhai Cannon ute detailed
Australia in line for bigger, more powerful GWM Ute flagship as Shanhai Cannon launches in ChinaA bigger, more powerful and imposing premium ute from Great Wall Motors – the 2023 GWM Shanhai Cannon – has launched in China and remains a strong prospect for sale in Australia.
We’re still to hear from GWM Haval Australia about the latest developments, but the local division has previously said it was studying both the Shanhai Cannon and the bigger King Kong ute for our market.
carsales understands that a local debut is possible in the second half of this year for the GWM Shanhai Cannon, which is now available in its home market priced from 228,800 yuan – the equivalent of $A49,250.
Available with both petrol and diesel powertrains in China, the Shanhai Cannon would be positioned in Australia above the established GWM Ute, which is solely available with a 120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.
While we already knew the Shanhai would launch in China with a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.4-litre turbo-diesel, the outputs are now confirmed: 260kW/500Nm for the petrol V6 and 135kW/480Nm for the diesel four.
Figures like that would sling the Shanhai right into the thick of the premium ute action Down Under, providing GWM with a budget alternative to the likes of the Ford Ranger Raptor with its 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol (292kW/583Nm) and the standard Ranger’s 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel four (154kW/500Nm).
There’s also talk of hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions in development for the Shanhai, but they’re unlike to surface within the next 12 months.
An in-house-developed nine-speed automatic is the only transmission announced thus far for the Shanhai Cannon – the local GWM Ute features an eight-speed ZF unit – while the 4x4 system comes courtesy of BorgWarner.
A locking rear differential is also fitted.
Clearly a member of the Cannon portfolio, the Shanhai is 30mm longer than the GWM Ute at 5440mm, 57mm wider (1991mm) and 38mm taller (1924mm). Its wheelbase is also significantly longer at 3350mm (+120mm).
The bigger proportions are paired with a more imposing front fascia, more pronounced wheel-arches and a split-swinging tailgate.
The cabin boasts higher-grade materials, a 14.6-inch infotainment interface, raised centre console and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Braked towing capacity is rated at 3300kg for both powertrains – 200kg shy of the mid-size segment average – but the wading depth is an impressive 800mm compared to the GWM Ute’s 500mm.
Payload capacity is yet to be confirmed, but should be close to the one-tonne segment benchmark.
Images: Great Wall Motor Global
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