Haval Tank takes aim at Australia
Chinese Ford Bronco rival lines up for Aussie launch in near futureFord won’t sell the rock-crushing Ford Bronco in Australia, but Chinese SUV brand Haval has an alternative: the Haval Tank 300.
The butch-looking Chinese 4x4 off-roader is based on a rugged ladder-frame chassis and comes with a switchable four-wheel drive system, turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engine choices, not to mention a decent 224mm of ground clearance to enable genuine bush-bashing.
And it looks increasingly likely the 2022 Haval Tank 300 (sold as the Wey Tank 300 in China) will be offered in Australia following the registration of its name via IP Australia.
Usually the first stop before vehicle homologation takes place in order to make a vehicle ready for sale Down Under, the trademarking of the Haval Tank 300 locally is another sign of Chinese brands’ growing confidence in mature markets like Australia.
First seen in mid-2020 badged as a Wey vehicle, the new model will likely be sold under the Haval brand and looks like a cross between the Ford Bronco (headlights) and the five-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (body shape).
The 2022 Haval Tank 300 is tipped to be offered here with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (167kW/387Nm) and a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel mill (135kW/480Nm), both hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
However, there are more engine options offered in China, including a powerful 380kW (510hp) and 750Nm plug-in hybrid version, combining an electric motor with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine.
The flagship Haval Tank 300 PHEV model grade gets a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all models are set to offer high- and low-ratio 4x4 systems including centre and rear diff locks.
Hill descent control and various other all-terrain systems, include six driving modes, are expected to be offered.
Off-road enthusiasts will note the new model is compatible with front winches and rides on a solid rear axle for extra wheel articulation, while the front-end gets an independent suspension.
Inside, top-spec models get class-leading 12.3-inch dual digital screens, several tough-looking design elements such as the gear shift lever and steering wheel, along with plenty of vibrant colour schemes.
The Chinese four-wheel drive measures 4670mm long, which is a fair bit shorter thank the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited at 4882mm.
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the new Ford Bronco rival will be its price, which can be expected to undercut the Wrangler that’s priced between $61K and $68K for the five-door model. However, unlike the Jeep, the Haval Tank 300 does not feature removal doors, roof panels or a fold-down windscreen.
In 2020, Haval conducted a survey to canvass potential Australian buyer reactions to the Tank 300, lending weight to the vehicle’s local launch in the near future.
Haval is still a relative minnow in Australia but its sales are growing rapidly, the Haval H2 small SUV its most popular model with sales up 156 per cent in the first two months of 2021, from 233 to 597 units.
Haval also sells the H6 SUV, a mid-size SUV that rivals the Toyota RAV4, and the H9, a Toyota LandCruiser Prado rival – which we compared here .
What do you think? Could the Haval Tank 300 give the Wrangler a run for its money in Australia? Have your say in the comments below.
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