GWM Tank 300 hybrid confirmed for Oz

GWM Tank’s arrival Down Under will be led by the Tank 300 HEV (hybrid), homologation data for which surfaced online this week via one of the federal government’s Australian Design Rule approval databases.

Revealed just last month at the Chengdu motor show, the Tank 300 HEV is the only GWM-Tank product approved for sale in Australia so far.

And the data suggests locally-delivered versions of the medium-large Chinese off-road SUV, which is billed as a 'smart luxury off-road SUV', will be powered by a 180kW self-charging hybrid powertrain rather than the gutsy 224kW/640Nm system that grabbed headlines last month.

A maximum torque figure the Australia-bound vehicles remains up in the air for the time being, but there’s little doubt it will still take the fight the V6-powered Jeep Wrangler and its 347Nm.

The hybrid system is based around a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission that drives all four wheels via a selectable 4x4 system and a two-ratio transfer case.

But while we’re missing a torque figure, we do have confirmation of a 2500kg maximum braked towing capacity, 2331kg kerb weight, 224mm of ground clearance and the inclusion of 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, shod with 265/65 rubber.

GWM Tank’s Australian introduction has been a turbulent one so far, with confirmation of the new off-road SUV brand followed by timeframe changes and back-pedalling between the local and global operations.

Most recently, the launches of both the GWM Tank and GWM Ora (EV) brands had been pushed back until sometime in 2023 and now with the emergence of the Tank 300’s homologation data, that admittedly vague timeframe appears to be on track.

Right-hand drive Tank 300 test vehicles have been spotted on Aussie soil in recent months, adding yet more fuel to the speculative fire that it will spearhead the Chinese off-road brand’s local introduction alongside the bigger Tank 500 – potentially with a plug-in hybrid powertrain – which has long been billed as a Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol rival.

In China, where almost 85,000 Tank vehicles were delivered in 2021, the ladder-framed Tank 300 – which at 4760mm long is over 120mm shorter than a Jeep Wrangler – is also available with a 167kW/387Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that gives it a 3000kg towing capacity, while ground clearance is 224mm and approach/departure angles are adventurous at 33/34 degrees respectively.

While we wait further official announcements, we’ll monitor the ADR channels and update you if we see any more Tank activity – keep an eye on our editorial page and social channels for the latest.