GWM Tank 500 HEV approved for sale in Australia

The upcoming 2024 GWM Tank 500 has been formally approved for Australian roads by the federal government, but at this stage homologation data has been published only for the 2.0-litre hybrid version of the Toyota Prado rival.

Weighing in at a listed 2630kg and casting a 5078mm long, 1934mm wide shadow on the ground, the inbound GWM Tank 500 HEV is undoubtedly a big off-road wagon, standing 1905mm tall and 237mm above the ground.

But while we already knew the Tank 500 would eclipse even the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series in size, a surprise in the homologation data is the HEV’s maximum braked towing capacity of 3000kg – half a tonne better than the overseas-spec V6 turbo-petrol version.

That still ultimately lags behind the 3500kg segment benchmark, but it does at least put the Tank 500 on a level playing field with the current Toyota Prado (3000kg) and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (3100kg), even if both models are due for replacement within the next six to 18 months.

As per the overseas versions, the Tank 500 HEV is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder hybrid system outputting a combined 258kW/615Nm – exactly the same as the smaller existing GWM Tank 300 HEV – and drives all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Those performance outputs jettison the 500 straight to the top of the local large SUV market, besting all of the sub-300 Series Toyotas and every Ford Everest, not to mention all the monocoque (car-based) offerings as well.

Local pricing and specification details of the ladder-framed Tank 500 range are yet to be announced and probably won’t be for at least another couple of weeks, but judging by the 18-, 19- and 20-inch wheel options listed it looks like the Chinese Prado fighter will be offered here in two or three trim levels.

Each hoop will be wrapped in 265/60, 265/55 and 265/50 profile rubber respectively, which means sourcing tyres shouldn’t be too much of a drama given most other ladder-frame SUVs on the market offers one of those three options.

Disc brakes feature at all four corners, with the front callipers acting on big 350x33mm rotors and the rears grabbing smaller 216x31mm units.

Anyone hoping for the 260kW/500Nm 3.0-litre mild-hybrid V6 petrol engine or the formidable 300kW/750Nm 2.0-lite plug-in hybrid system need not despair; the hybrid versions of the smaller Tank 300 were the first to be homologated Down Under before standard petrol versions came later, so the same is likely being planned for the Tank 500.

GWM Australia has previously stated that all three powertrains are on the cards for Australia as the local operation looks to maximise its opportunities in what’s long been one of the most crowded and competitive new-vehicle sales segments.

“We’re looking at different powertrains, pricing and specifications,” GWM Australia marketing and communications boss Steve Maciver told carsales in July after a pair of Tank 500 development vehicles were spotted testing under the cover of dark in Melbourne.

“We’re weighing everything up and all powertrains are under study. Nothing has been ruled out… the evaluation vehicles in Australia indicate how seriously we are looking at it.”

carsales has contacted GWM Australia for comment on the Tank 500’s Australian Design Rule certification and we’ll update this article accordingly.

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au