GWM Tank 700 debuts with monster 386kW/750Nm PHEV powertrain
Wild-looking new Chinese off-roader batters Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol for power and torqueThe 2024 GWM Tank 700 Hi4-T plug-in hybrid has been revealed in China, where it tops the brand's Tank 300, Tank 400 and Tank 500 range of off-road SUVs and debuts with an all-new 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol-electric powertrain that produces a meaty 386kW of power and 750Nm of torque.
So far shown only in Premiere Limited Edition form, the monstrous new Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol rival is comfortably the most powerful off-roader ever produced by GWM and rewrites the output rulebook for a mainstream 4x4.
Looking something like a Brabus G-Wagon crossed with a previous-gen Shelby Mustang, the Tank 700 Hi4-T Premiere Limited Edition measures 5113mm long, 2061mm wide, 1952mm tall and rides on a 3000mm wheelbase, making it bigger in every respect than a 300 Series but not as big as the inbound GMC Yukon.
The big beastie is built in the traditional body-on-frame manner and features full-time 4x4 to help keep its inevitably lardy mass in check – full specifications are yet to be revealed – as well as make it as versatile as possible.
Low-range gearing, air springs and an electronic sway bar disconnect system is also fitted, but the Premiere Limited Edition’s extreme body kit, electromagnetic shock absorbers and 22-inch alloy wheels with high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport tyres point to a rather different orientation for this particular version.
GWM hasn’t released any towing, payload, wading or off-road geometry figures yet, but history has shown most of them shouldn’t be too far astray of the segment averages – save perhaps for payload and towing capacities, which typically lag behind a bit. At least they do on the smaller Tank 300 already on sale here and upcoming Tank 500.
Interestingly, the Tank 700’s electrified V6 doesn’t develop any more torque than the lesser 2.0-litre four-cylinder Hi4-T system found in the Tank 400 and Tank 500, although it does output an extra 86kW and will likely have a much broader torque band than the smaller-capacity, single-turbo four.
A nine-speed automatic takes care of transmission duties, as per GWM’s other plug-in hybrids.
Inside the cabin you’ll find an interior just as garish as the exterior, featuring a two-tone white and black colourway, leather upholstery and star-gazer headlining, along with orange stitching and door trim inserts.
Chinese homologation data has thus far revealed the eventual release of a purely combustion-powered version of the Tank 700 fitted with the Tank 500’s turbo-petrol V6, while leaked photos and preview images reveal a much more restrained aesthetic for the series-production version, which looks more like a half-baked Tank 400.
GWM-Haval Australia confirmed way back in 2021 that the Tank 700 was on its radar for possible introduction Down Under. We’re yet to get any updates on the matter, though we suspect not much has changed since then.
While we wait, there’s zero chance of seeing the Hi4-T Premiere Limited Edition on local soil, given just 70 units are being produced exclusively for the Chinese market at this stage.
Related: GWM Tank 500 HEV approved for sale in Australia
Related: Hard-core GWM Tank 300 Topfire wanted in Australia
Related: GWM Tank 400 set for Australian launch
Related: Six off-roading 4x4 machines for keen explorers
Related: GWM Tank 400 released in China
Related: GWM Tank 300 v Toyota Prado 2023 Comparison
Join the conversation at
Or email us at
Or email us at
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
