Great wall tank-300

2023 GWM tank 300 pricing:

GWM Tank 300 Lux: $46,990

GWM Tank 300 Ultra: $50,990

GWM Tank 300 Lux Hybrid: $55,990

GWM Tank 300 Ultra Hybrid: $60,990

The GWM Tank 300 has gotten a heart transplant, but it’s unclear if this more powerful model will come to Australia.

car News China reports the more powerful off-roader appeared in a Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing featuring a beefed-up body kit and a more powerful combustion engine.

UPDATE, 16/01/2024: GWM Australia confirmed the Tank 330 will not be available in Australia.

“Our focus currently is on continuing the successful local launch of Tank 300. We don’t have any plans at this stage to broaden the Tank 300 range as we are happy with the petrol and hybrid powertrain options we currently have on offer,” a spokesperson from GWM Australia told CarExpert.

According to the filing, the Tank 330 – as it’s badged – packs a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine with 265kW of power and 500Nm of torque.

We’ve contacted GWM Australia to confirm if the Tank 330 is coming here.

The Tank 330’s exterior enhancements resemble those of the limited edition Tank 300 Frontier not offered here.

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It features new 18-inch wheels in 265/70R18 tyres, while options include a yellow exterior finish, a rear spoiler, a revised bonnet and a roof rack.

The Tank 330 will reportedly measure 4772mm long, up 12mm on the regular 300, as well as 1970mm (+40mm) wide, 1960mm (+57mm) tall on a 2750mm wheelbase.

The approach angle has been adjusted to 36 degrees for the Tank 330, up from 33 degrees on the standard Tank 300. The departure angle has increased from 34 degrees to 37 degrees.

In Australia, GWM sold 1932 examples of its Tank 300 in 2023, its first year on the market, which includes both combustion-powered and hybrid models.

GWM offers four variants of the off-roader in Australia. Pricing starts from $46,990 drive-away for the Lux and tops out at $60,990 drive-away for the Ultra Hybrid.

The 2023 GWM Tank 300 uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 162kW of power and 380Nm of torque, mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Tank 300 hybrid uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 180kW of power at 5500-6000rpm and 380Nm of torque at 1700-4000rpm, paired with a 78kW/268Nm electric motor.

Total system outputs are 258kW and 615Nm.

All Tank 300 hybrid models offered in Australia have front and rear locking differentials, a tank turn function and crawl mode.

Once the exclusive domain of the likes of Jeep and Land Rover, GWM is getting in on the action with its rough-and-ready Tank sub-brand – starting with the 2023 GWM Tank 300 you see here.

Looking like a lovechild between a Jeep Wrangler and Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the GWM Tank 300 is the first of the Tank-branded products to make it to Australia, likely to be followed by the larger Tank 500 which will offer a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

The Tank 300 was initially meant to launch with a segment-first hybrid, but shipping delays meant the turbocharged petrol version has made it to our shores first – and that’s the car we have on test.

Priced from $50,990 drive-away in high-spec Ultra specification as tested, the Tank 300 shapes up as a hell of a lot metal for the money.

Our Ultra petrol tester is $50,990 drive-away, meaning the Hybrid commands a hefty $10,000 premium over its petrol-only counterpart.

The Tank 300 occupies an interesting space in the market, sitting above the most expensive Suzuki Jimny GLX ($33,490), and well below the likes of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (from $81,450). Note these prices exclude on-road costs.

Meanwhile, the Tank 300 is positioned in the same price bracket as diesel-powered ute-based 4×4 SUVs like the Ford Everest 4WD (from $57,990), Isuzu MU-X 4×4 (from $54,900) and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 4×4 (from $49,940).

Given the features and engine performance on offer, the Tank 300 stacks up as very compelling on paper. While the Tank 300 Hybrid commands a hefty premium over the equivalent petrol, there’s nothing else like it in the segment.

What is the GWM Tank 300 like on the inside?

There’s a very clear Mercedes influence in the cabin of the Tank 300.

From the bluff, upright dashboard to the conjoined 12.3-inch displays and circular air vents, it’s clear where GWM has drawn inspiration from Germany’s iconic retro-modern off-roader.

The cabin of the Ultra grade we have on test is mighty impressive, from the Nappa leather-lined seats to the quilted leatherette door inserts and the clear resolution of the digital screens. It does have quite a bit of ‘wow’ factor.

Perceived build quality is pretty solid, especially for the segment. The Jimny and Wrangler are quite utilitarian by comparison.

Storage is pretty decent too, with a good amount of cubbies and shelves to leave your odds and ends, though I wish the front door pockets were a little more substantial.

In the Ultra versions, the driver is treated to an electrically-adjustable seat which is neat, with both front seats also featuring both heating and cooling functions.

The steering wheel also offers reach and rake adjustment, but as you’ll find in most vehicles in the 4×4 segments you often find yourself sitting quite high in the cabin, and sort of looking down into the instrument binnacle.

The GWM Tank 300’s digital driver’s display gets top marks for colour and clarity, but a ‘needs improvement’ for layout and configurability.

The menus and layout apes what we’ve seen in the GWM Haval H6, with a Tank 300 for various graphics and a couple of extra off-road menus thrown in – colour matched to the vehicle though, which is cute. I’d love to see virtual dials put in, which no doubt would be desirable when off-roading.

GWM still doesn’t quote a luggage capacity for the Tank 300 in any of its official documentation.

Accessed via a heavy side-hinged tailgate, we can tell you the square, wide and flat load area is bigger than you’ll find in a Suzuki Jimny, and isn’t far off something like a Jeep Wrangler or Land Rover Defender 90.

There’s a full-sized spare wheel is mounted on the tailgate, if you hadn’t already noticed.

What’s under the bonnet?

The Tank 300 uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 162kW of power and 380Nm of torque, mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Petrol models use a part-time four-wheel drive system with low-range, and feature a locking rear differential and a Tank Turn function to reduce the turning circle.

The Tank 300 Hybrid uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 180kW of power at 5500-6000rpm and 380Nm of torque at 1700-4000rpm, paired with a 78kW/268Nm electric motor. System outputs are 258kW and 615Nm.

Hybrid models use a nine-speed ‘Hybrid Automatic Transmission’ and a torque-on-demand full-time four-wheel drive system. It features electronically-controlled mechanical front and rear differential locks, a Tank Turn function to reduce the turning circle on gravel, and a crawl mode.

The Tank 300 uses 9.5L/100km on the combined cycle, while the Tank 300 Hybrid quotes 8.4L/100km. All models are rated to run on 91 RON regular unleaded.