Big upgrades coming for GWM Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha

GWM Australia has announced a major software update for its Cannon Alpha pick-up truck and the related Tank 500, intended to make the ANCAP-appeasing driver aids less intrusive and more effective off the back of continued customer and media feedback.

The new programming will be implemented at a factory level early next year and made available to existing customers via the brand’s national dealer network, with upgrades also being made to the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol-electric hybrid powertrain to enhance performance and drivability.

According to a company spokesperson, the driver monitoring’s distraction function will no longer default on and instead retain its previous setting, while the fatigue alert has been changed from “please take a break” to a simpler chime and had its volume lowered.

The emergency lane keeping system meantime has been reprogrammed with more local road scenarios entered into its bandwidth to reduce false alerts and unnecessary intervention, the visual alert for which has been changed to a “simulation lane flash on graphics”.

Those who prefer to drive without the lane nannies intervening at all will be buoyed to read an on/off control has been added to the infotainment’s drop-down shortcut screen.

The adaptive cruise control has been made braver in the bends (intelligent corner function sensitivity reduced) and quicker to accelerate, thereby lessoning the impact on traffic flow.

As for the powertrain, GWM has revised the hybrid logic of both models to improve throttle response, speed-up the transition between EV and petrol power and cure the ‘engine runaway/ sticky throttle’ experienced after hard acceleration.

The Cannon Alpha is also being treated to a tow hitch guideline for its reversing camera to help customers tap into its towing intent more conveniently.

“As part of GWM’s philosophy, we remain committed to ‘improving little by little every day’ and place great value on customer and media feedback,” the spokesperson said.

“This input helps us identify new opportunities to improve our products.”

There’s no word yet as to if similar upgrades will be applied to the Tank 300, though logic would suggest so seeing as the popular 4x4 wagon is being treated to a new diesel powertrain early next year in response to consumer demand and media commentary.

Odds are the diesel donk will head a series of important upgrades that will be crucial to enhancing the 300’s competitiveness in one of the market’s most popular segments.

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