GWM 3.0-litre diesel to make global debut in Australia

GWM will add a new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine to its Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 line-ups in 2026, with the Australian market receiving the all-new four-cylinder before any other global region.

Exact timing for the introduction is not yet confirmed but a ballpark figure of mid-2026 has been offered up, though it’s unclear of the new engine will be introduced as a new/additional offering or launched as replacement for another.

Speaking at the GWM Tech Day conference held In Melbourne this week, GWM chief technology officer Nicole Wu confirmed the new engine would be entering Australia’s ranks before any other global market.

“Our 3.0T diesel Tank and pick-up models will make their global debut right here in Australia by mid-next year,” she said.

Little is known publicly about the new mill, including its power and torque figures, performance and/or fuel economy it might promise.

However, GWM has revealed it won’t be hybridised and will be paired exclusively to the company’s nine-speed automatic transmission.

It’s fair to assume, as the new diesel will have a 600cc displacement advantage, the new 3.0-litre will have more power and torque output than the current 2.4-litre’s 135kW/480Nm.

GWM’s decision to launch the upsized powerplant in Australia first is further proof of the local market’s importance on a global scale, as well as a reflection of the dominance of dual-cab and large SUV sales Down Under.

The current Tank 500 range was introduced exclusively with a turbo-petrol-electric hybrid powertrain but is now also available with a 300kW plug-in hybrid system – the same one you'll find under the bonnet of the current Cannon Alpha, alongside the aforementioned 2.4-litre turbo-diesel.

The arrival of the 3.0-litre will boost the capability of the latter and should provide a lower entry price for the former, plus extra choice for consumers and some tangible drivability improvements.

Pricing of the Cannon Alpha is expected to be negatively impacted compared to the Tank, although exact line-up details will have to wait until closer to the new donk’s arrival in about six months.

Beyond that, the new engine could find its way into other GWM, Tank or even Haval models depending on the local popularity and reception, including the Tank 300 which is currently available with the choice of turbo-petrol, turbo-hybrid and (2.4L) turbo-diesel power.

While many manufacturers are winding down production (and particularly development) of internal combustion engines, GWM is showing no such adherence to the trend, with new and unorthodox power plants continuing to emerge.

These include a mighty turbocharged V8 plug-in hybrid that will soon slot into the Tank family, and a curious flat eight motorcycle engine among other more regular engines such as the 3.0-litre diesel.

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au