GWM Cannon Alpha ute here this year

Chinese cars are fast becoming a dominant force Down Under and Aussies are set to see countless new models from the world’s biggest car-maker this year – including the GWM Cannon Alpha.

GWM-Haval hasn’t officially confirmed the new ute for Australia yet, but fresh intel obtained by carsales puts the big new pick-up truck’s local launch in the middle of the third quarter of 2024, so around August.

The Cannon Alpha is longer, wider and taller than the existing Toyota HiLux-sized GWM Ute Cannon and will be pitched as an upmarket alternative to Chinese auto brand’s pick-up portfolio, but pricing is still unknown.

Called the Shanhai in China, the Alpha will almost certainly be more expensive than its smaller GWM Ute sibling, which is currently priced between $35,990 and $52,990 drive-away, given it is larger, more powerful and comes with more equipment and tech.

As such, expect pricing to start at around $50,000 – give or take.

The new ute can tow heavier loads than its little brother and one of its biggest drawcards will be a potent new turbo-petrol V6 – something that only the race-ready Ford Ranger Raptor offers at present.

Already spotted testing on Aussie roads in 2023, the GWM Ute Cannon Alpha’s 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 (260kW/500Nm) will provide the ute with a point of difference.

There was talk that the V6 could also make its way into the cheaper GWM Ute already available here, but carsales understands the V6 will be reserved exclusively for the bigger Alpha ute in this market.

Nevertheless, the 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (135kW/480Nm) also available in China would likely be more popular with Aussie buyers anyway.

A third powertrain first seen in Australia in the GWM Tank 300 Hybrid off-road SUV is also under consideration for local release, which pairs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with a battery and electric motor to generate a very healthy 255kW/648Nm.

Towing capacity for Chinese-market Shanhai utes is 3300kg, which is 300kg more than its GWM Ute sibling but still 200kg shy of the most popular utes in Australia, like the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-MAX.

All GWM Ute Cannon Alpha models feature a nine-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4x4 system supplied by BorgWarner, along with a locking rear diff for tricky off-road situations.

Measuring 5440mm long and 1991mm wide, the GWM Cannon Alpha is 30mm longer and 57mm wider than the workhorse GWM Ute, but its wheelbase is a whopping 120mm longer – now 3350mm – which should make it a better, more settled towing rig.

As local testing on the new ute continues, GWM is expected to soon finalise the model range and specifications, which will include a lot more bling than it’s little brother, with a large 14.6-inch central touch-screen to be joined by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on top-spec models.

Heated, cooled and power-operated front seats finished in two-tone leather are expected to be on the menu – as is faux woodgrain trim, a funky gear shift lever and a high-end stereo.

LED headlights and a heavily stylised rear sports bar have been seen on GWM Cannon Alpha utes testing in Australia, along with a snorkel and steel front bar, suggesting a flagship tough-truck variant could be on the cards as well.

Like all GWM models – which comprise Ute, Tank and Haval sub-brands – the new Cannon Alpha is expected to be backed by a seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and five year of free roadside assistance.

Great Wall Motors (GWM) had a bumper year in 2023, selling a record 36,397 new vehicles, which represents a 45 per cent increase on its 2022 tally, and the Chinese car-maker isn’t sitting still with several more new models expected to land in 2024 – along with the new GWM Cannon Alpha ute.

The brand is bullish about growing its sales figures and market presence in Australia in 2024, and is set to see its nationwide dealer network reach triple figures over the next 12 months, as the brand’s 99 showrooms swell to around 120 by year’s end.

Vehicles like the GWM Cannon Alpha will be crucial to the brand’s future growth as well as its public profile.

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