Haval H9 to exit Australia
Door now open for GWM Tank 500 to slot in as Chinese’s brand new rival for Toyota LandCruiserThe 2021 Haval H9 will soon depart Aussie showrooms for good as production winds down and questions are raised as to its possible replacement, with the Tank 500 shaping up as the Chinese brand’s next flagship SUV.
There’s no official word yet, but GWM Australia has made no secret of its desire to bring the Tank family of 4x4 off-roaders Down Under, including the Tank 500 (a rival for the Toyota LandCruiser), the Tank 400 (aiming at the Toyota Prado) and the Tank 300 (targeting the Jeep Wrangler).
The car-maker has also filed a slew of patent applications with IP Australia revolving around the Tank sub-brand, laying the groundwork for its anticipated local launch.
The Haval H9 was positioned as a budget alternative to the all-conquering Toyota Prado, but lacked the level of finesse – and ground clearance – offered by the Japanese brand’s top-selling model in the large SUV segment.
In dimensions at least, the Tank 500 splits the Prado and the new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.
The H9’s retirement news comes little more than a week after a new hybrid version of the Tank 500 was revealed in Thailand, which if offered in Australia would provide an important point of difference to the likes of Prado that’s not expected to offer an electrified powertrain until its next generation.
The Tank 500 HEV, as it’s known, ditches the regular 500’s force-fed V6 petrol engine in favour of a smaller turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain developing a combined 180kW/380Nm – nowhere near as much torque as the current 500Nm Prado, but more power (+30kW).
No efficiency or performance claims have been made as yet, and GWM Australia is yet to confirm the 500 HEV for a launch Down Under.
But given the 179kW/530Nm Haval H6 Hybrid is already locked in for the Aussie market, the 500 HEV’s chances look solid.
For reference, the outgoing Haval H9 is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine developing 180kW/380Nm of torque – the same output as the 500 HEV – while transmission duties are taken care of by an eight-speed automatic.
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