GWM Tank 300 diesel engine in development

A turbo-diesel engine for the GWM Tank 300 is in the pipeline, which could be a game-changer for the Chinese brand’s Australian subsidiary after building early momentum with the petrol and hybrid powertrain line-up.

An Australian launch is still to be confirmed, but a diesel-powered Tank 300 would be an obvious candidate for our market given the popularity of the fuel type among buyers, improving the SUV’s standing in areas such as economy, range, pulling power and, potentially, towing capacity.

The current model range is offered with either a 162kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine or a 255kW/648Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. Both are rated to tow up to 2500kg.

The announcement of the diesel engine for the Tank 300 was reportedly made by GWM chairman Wei Jianjun, with Chinese publication Autohome suggesting the mill would be the same 135kW/480Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder as fitted under the bonnet of the new GWM Cannon Alpha ute.

This is favoured over the 120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel found in the GWM Cannon Ute.

Diesel is not the preferred diesel type in China like it is in Australia and South Africa, for example, so news of the oil-burning Tank 300 points to an export orientation for the new powerplant.

It also suggests that diesel versions of other GWM Tank models, such as the bigger Tank 500, are on the cards too.

We’ve contacted GWM Australia for details on whether diesel could be heading to its burgeoning Tank stable.

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