GWM Australia ponders epic 635kW Tank 500 PHEV

GWM Australia could sell a plug-in hybrid version of the Tank 500 large family SUV that would smoke the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado – and even the Ford Ranger Raptor – if it delivers on its performance claims.

Alternatively, the local outfit could choose an off-road focused PHEV system for the Tank 500, or even bring both Down Under.

Whichever option it takes, the Tank 500 PHEV is due to go on sale here before the end of the year.

GWM’s new dual e-motor Hi4-Z system has a powertrain that delivers a crazy claimed combined output of 635kW and 1139Nm, a zero to 100km/h acceleration time of just 4.6 seconds, and a generous pure electric range of 201km.

Meanwhile, the Hi4-T system which debuts in Australia in the Cannon Alpha ute in April relies on a traditional mechanical linkage to the rear wheels and is better off-road.

The Tank 500, which launched in Australia in March 2024 as a rival for the Everest, Prado and Isuzu MU-X, is currently sold as a plugless hybrid in two model lines priced at $66,490 and $73,990 drive-away.

It already has strong off-road features including low-range gearing, front and rear locking diffs, and a ‘tank turn’ feature.

The Tank 500 PHEV will be the last of eight new or updated vehicles GWM Australia launches in 2025 as it strives to break 50,000 local sales and entrench itself in the local top 10.

“Tank has been positioned in this market as professional off-road and Hi4-T probably supports that best in terms of making sure we’ve got the best possible mechanical connection for four-wheel drive,” GWM Australia marketing and communications chief Steve Maciver told carsales.

“That said though, we’ve got to do the work and think ‘what percentage of these cars are actually being take off-road?’ What is the best customer use for that?

“We have options, we might even do both, but at this stage we haven’t made a decision.

“We’ve got to think about that – whether it makes sense to run two. But we’ve not been backed into one corner or the other at this stage.”

The Tank 500 Hi4-T is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine working with an e-motor on the front axle to produce a combined 300kW/750Nm. A 36.7kWh battery pack sits under the rear seat.

Driving via a nine-speed transmission, the Hi-4T’s claimed WLTC electric driving range is 110km, its combined range is 790km, and its average fuel consumption at minimum charge is 8.8L/100km.

GWM says it accelerates to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds.

The Hi4-Z only debuted in the Tank 500 in China last December. It uses the same 180kW/380Nm engine as the Hi4-T but adds an extra e-motor on the rear axle, which helps boost those outputs into the stratosphere.

Because there is no driveshaft connecting the front and rear wheels, a larger 59.05kWh battery pack can sit under the floor.

Driving via a three-speed transmission, the Hi4-Z’s claimed WLTC combined driving range is 1096km and claimed average fuel consumption at a minimum state of charge is 8.6L/100km.

“Hi4-T is the better off-road option,” said Maciver. “Hi4-Z will give us more range and probably be better for around-the-city performance, so we’ve got our choices there.

“With our head office colleagues we’ve got to think about positioning all these [eight] products because there is a lot going on there.”