GWM Tank 500 gets its first diesel and giant a fuel tank

GWM has given the Tank 500 its first-ever diesel engine and confirmed the all-new turbocharged 3.0-litre four-cylinder will arrive in September 2026 priced from under $65,000 drive-away. It's a significant addition for the body-on-frame large SUV, and one GWM says undercuts the Ford Everest, Toyota Prado and Isuzu MU-X by thousands of dollars while delivering more equipment, luxury and torque, as well as local suspension and powertrain tuning.

Like the Cannon Alpha ute, two model grades will be offered: the Lux, which will start at under $65,000, and the top-spec Vanta, which is expected to be priced around $70,000.

The new additions will arrive in Australia next month (September), and one of the surprise inclusions will be the fuel capacity.

Where the Everest and MU-X make do with 80 litres and the Prado 110 litres, the top-spec Tank 500 Vanta 3.0TD will be able to carry 131 litres – combining a 78-litre main tank with a 53-litre auxiliary.

The all-new donk was engineered from scratch with Australia as its primary market and validated extensively on local roads.

It's a package built around low-rev pulling power, using a water-cooled intercooler and latest-generation Bosch common-rail fuel system to serve up strong, consistent torque.

GWM says extensive local testing across the Victorian High Country, K'gari, the Flinders Ranges and Big Desert was undertaken, with the engine itself good for a class-leading 620Nm of torque.

Adding to the appeal is a claimed combined fuel consumption of 7.1L/100km, no requirement of AdBlue, a 3500kg braked towing capacity and, in the case of the Vanta, front, centre and rear differential locks.

"This is a super important engine for this market," GWM head of marketing and communications Steve Maciver said.

Just as significant is the local chassis tune.

Lead by former Holden ride-and-handling guru Rob Trubiani, GWM's Australia's local AT-1 tuning team have completely reworked the Tank 500's already localised chassis for Australian conditions across some 25,000km of local testing (to suit the new power unit).

Inside, GWM is pushing the premium line with Nappa leather accents, a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof and massaging front seats.

The party trick is a special top-down trailer-reversing camera developed alongside the locally calibrated towing cruise control as part of the AT-1 program.

The 3.0-litre turbo-diesel Tank 500 arrives in September, sitting below the PHEV Ultra (from $79,990 d/a) and giving GWM a diesel weapon aimed straight at the big-selling Everest and Prado.

Despite a huge uptick in hybrid and EV sales in Australia in recent months, the new diesel is expected to deliver significant sales for the brand.

"Let's not forget that diesel-powered cars were six of the top 10 cars sold in 2025. There's still a huge amount of customers looking for diesel," Maciver said.

With a 131-litre tank, triple-locked 4x4 system and massaging seats for around $70K, it's a pointed pitch to families and tourers.

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