Ford Ranger Raptor-fighting GWM Cannon ute could be a plug-in hybrid

The ute division of Chinese auto giant GWM has confirmed it is investigating a high-performance off-roader in the mould of the epic Ford Ranger Raptor.

And it could feature a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain.

But before you rush to your local GWM dealer to place a deposit, there are a bunch of hurdles to be overcome before such a vehicle makes production and comes to Australia.

Key among them is a convincing business case from GWM’s Australian outpost, which currently sells a variety of Cannon ute models and is soon to add the larger Cannon Alpha.

At this stage carsales understands a GWM Raptor fighter is subject to discussion between Australia and China, as are a number of other models of interest to the local distributor.

But there’s no doubt how keen GWM would be to sell a performance ute flagship in Australia if the numbers added up.

“It’s certainly something we would look at seriously,” said GWM Australia marketing and communications chief Steve Maciver.

In China, GWM has dabbled in performance utes using the Cannon single-cab as the base for a model called the Artillery, but it has not yet upgraded a dual-cab, which would be the body style wanted in Australia.

The closest thing to a performance ute sold by GWM in Australia is the Cannon XSR.

While it has shown dual-cab tough truck concepts in the past including the 2021 Baja Snake, GWM’s gone down the single-cab path because of Chinese domestic factors.

Wang Lei, the product director of Cannon, explained the challenges to carsales via a translator during last week’s GWM Tank 500 Australian launch.

“In China right now there is a single-cab Cannon ute with a short tray. In China the performance ute they would think of would be that one, because in China the rules on modification are pretty strict,” he said.

“GWM has partnered with some aftermarket groups to create something that is ‘OEM’ [original equipment manufacturer] and therefore be pretty performance focused like the Raptor, while meeting all the standard crash tests and all the safety etc.”

The Artillery is powered by a 160kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine mated with an eight-speed auto and BorgWarner’s part-time 4x4 system. It has six all-terrain driving modes, front and rear diff locks, monotube shock absorbers and a coil spring rear-end.

Lei explained simply transferring the learnings and technology from the single-cab to the dual-cab Cannon would not be easy.

“One of the first thing is that stubby ute … platform is shared with the Tank [SUV] platform so there is quite a bit of extra costs and extra development as well,” he explained.

“Because of all those extra costs we have to look at a business case to see if something like this is viable.”

Asked if a business case would be forthcoming from Australia, Maciver offered: “We’re gonna be busy!”

On powertrain, Lei explained there were a variety of options for a high-performance ute including a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with and without hybrid assistance, an uprated version of the current 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and a new plug-in hybrid coming in 2025.

“PHEV … is most very likely going to be available from next year and with that there is a bigger battery there is going to be extra performance,” he said.

Maciver said powertrain options for Australia would be assessed based on incoming NVES legislation and how that impacted viability.

“We are going to have work out what that means for the wider range of implications on our business and what we are able to offer to customers at a reasonable price,” he said.

“So there is a powertrain option there, but whether we can bring it to market and make it viable is the other question.”

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