2024 GWM Cannon Alpha approved for Australia

The 2024 GWM Cannon Alpha is one step closer to Australia and, according to preliminary homologation data, will initially be offered here with turbo-diesel and petrol-electric hybrid powertrains.

Missing from the line-up (for now) is the headline-grabbing 260kW/500Nm twin-turbo 3.0-litre petrol V6 that’s also been earmarked for the Tank 500 off-road SUV range, but Aussie ute buyers will be buoyed to learn the Cannon Alpha will be able to tow up to 3500kg with a brake trailer.

This compares to just 3300kg for Chinese-spec vehicles and the news gets better because the segment-benchmark towing figure appears to apply to both the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder and the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol hybrid powertrains.

Said engines output an ADR-certified 135kW/480Nm and 258kW respectively and are both mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission as standard, driving all four wheels all of the time via two-speed transfer case. Locking centre and rear differentials are also included.

While we expect the petrol V6 to be confirmed for Australia at a later date, we also have it on good (dealer) authority that GWM Australia is eying a move away from pure internal combustion and more towards electrification, so it’s possible the biggest and thirstiest powertrain won’t come here after all – especially given the upcoming New Vehicle Efficiency Standard.

Even so, the Chinese brand is yet to publicly announce the Cannon Alpha for our market, although it has long said it was on its local priority list and the publication of official Australian certification details now all but locks it in.

Carrying the ‘P05’ internal model code, the Cannon Alpha will be GWM’s entry into the lucrative high-end ute market, spanning the gap between traditional mid-size pick-ups like the Ford Ranger and full-size American offerings like the RAM 1500.

All versions measure 5445mm long, 1991mm wide, 1924mm tall and ride on a 3350mm wheelbase , and offer up to 224mm of ground clearance – compared to the 5410mm x 1934 x 1886 x 3230mm key figures for the existing GWM Ute workhorse.

Seemingly pitched as more of a luxury lifestyle ute than a utilitarian workhorse, the Cannon Alpha boasts an extra 30mm of ground clearance compared to its smaller sibling but gives up almost 200kg in payload capacity (1050kg versus 878kg).

Disc brakes thankfully feature at all four corners given it tips the scales at 2432-2526kg depending on the powertrain, while the two-part swinging tailgate as seen in China has been retained, further underlining the Alpha’s more daily-friendly intent.

Need more evidence? Take a look at the interior images – this is a luxurious tow-rig as opposed to a tarted-up tradiemobile.

Keep an eye out for the first customer cars arriving in dealerships around mid-year – and for full price and spec details when we get them.

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