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The big GWM Tank 500 off-road SUV is gaining a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) choice in Australia, which the top-selling Ford Everest and Toyota Prado don’t have any response for but.
After authorities paperwork seen by CarExpert final month confirmed GWM was bringing the Hi4-T PHEV powertrain to the native Tank 500 vary – versus the longer-range Hi4-Z choice – the Chinese language model has now launched some key particulars on the SUV.
It’s scheduled to launch throughout the fourth quarter (October to December) of 2025, with pricing to be introduced within the coming weeks.
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In contrast to the prevailing Tank 500 Hybrid, the Hi4-T PHEV has solely 5 seats, with the third row eliminated to accommodate the bigger 37.11kWh battery, which supplies the bigger off-roader 120km of electric-only vary underneath the NEDC cycle.
Whereas it misses out on a 3rd row, GWM has confirmed it’ll provide massaging for the outboard rear seats, becoming a member of the heating and air flow capabilities provided within the Tank 500 Hybrid.
These settings are managed by way of a 7.0-inch rear touchscreen that additionally manages media, local weather and ambient lighting settings.
It’s unclear whether or not GWM will provide Lux, Extremely and Vanta trims on the PHEV because it does with the common hybrid.
The Tank 500 PHEV has what GWM calls a “true mechanical four-wheel drive system”, that includes selectable low-range gearing and three locking differentials.
There’s additionally a whopping 11 drive modes to select from.
Beneath are some key specs for the Hi4-T PHEV, and the way it compares with the prevailing Tank 500 Hybrid.
| PHEV | Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L turbo 4cyl | 2.0L turbo 4cyl |
| Transmission | 9-speed hybrid automated | 9-speed hybrid automated |
| Complete system energy | 300kW | 255kW |
| Complete system torque | 750Nm | 648Nm |
| Engine energy | 180kW | 180kW |
| Engine torque | 380Nm | 380Nm |
| Electrical motor energy | 120kW | 78kW |
| Electrical motor torque | 400Nm | 268Nm |
| 0-100km/h time | 6.9 seconds | 8.5 seconds |
| Gas consumption | 2.1L/100km | 8.5L/100km |
| Complete vary (NEDC) | 950km | – |
| Electrical vary (NEDC) | 120km | – |
| DC charging fee | 50kW | – |
| CO2 emissions | 47g/km | 199g/km |
| Battery capability | 37.11kWh | 1.76kWh |
| Battery chemistry | Nickel manganese cobalt | – |
| Gas requirement | 91-octane common unleaded | 91-octane common unleaded |
| Gas tank capability | 70L | 80L |
| Braked towing capability | 3000kg | 3000kg |
| Floor clearance | 213mm | 224mm |
| Strategy angle | 30 levels | 30 levels |
| Breakover angle | 22.5 levels | 22.5 levels |
| Departure angle | 24 levels | 24 levels |
| Wading depth | 800mm | 800mm |
GWM says it may be charged from 30 to 80 per cent utilizing a DC fast-charger in 24 minutes, whereas AC charging at residence will take 6.5 hours.
The Tank 500 PHEV additionally has 6kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) performance, permitting you to energy small home equipment.
Marble White is the usual exterior end, with Crystal Black, Onyx Silver and Dune Gold obtainable for an additional $595.
A black inside is commonplace, though you will get a Blue and Cream inside with Marble White and Crystal Black Tank 500 PHEVs.
GWM will again the Tank 500 Hi4-T PHEV with its seven-year, unlimited-kilometre automobile and eight-year, unlimited-kilometre high-voltage battery warranties, in addition to seven years of roadside help.
Prospects can even have the ability to benefit from seven years of capped-price servicing by GWM’s 117 sellers.
The massive query mark stays pricing.
“A premium on a plug-in hybrid can vary wherever from $6000 to $15,000. It’s going to depend upon the dimensions of the battery pack,” mentioned GWM Australia advertising and marketing and communications boss Steve Maciver in September 2024.
“Vary and battery dimension is what defines pricing.”
GWM Australia managing director Charles Zhao mentioned the corporate is making pricing of its PHEVs aggressive.
“I consider with the long run [New Vehicle Efficiency Standard] laws, perhaps we’ll contemplate to make use of a few of the scores that PHEVs can earn to compensate [for] the worth enhance of the PHEV to make the worth of the PHEV extra aggressive,” he instructed CarExpert.
The Tank 500 vary at the moment opens in Australia at $66,490 drive-away for the Lux Hybrid, rising to $73,900 drive-away for the Extremely Hybrid and $75,990 for the not too long ago launched Vanta Hybrid range-topper.
The launch of the PHEV will broaden the variety of Tank 500 powertrains to 2 regionally, however there are extra provided abroad.
In China, the big off-roader will be had with a turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V6, whereas in Thailand it not too long ago gained a turbo-diesel 2.4-litre four-cylinder.
GWM has beforehand mentioned the V6 is “not the appropriate selection” for it regionally, given the introduction of the New Automobile Effectivity Normal (NVES), whereas this explicit diesel received’t come right here.
A diesel engine is coming, nevertheless, with GWM confirming a bigger 3.0-litre mill for the Tank 500 from 2027.
GWM Australia has been busy holding the Tank 500 recent since its 2024 launch.
It switched to a distinct suspension tune within the third quarter of 2024, which was claimed to enhance its dynamics and composure on the highway, then recalibrated its superior driver help system (ADAS) software program shortly thereafter. These updates are additionally now obtainable to present homeowners.
A brand new grille was additionally added earlier this yr, in addition to a blacked-out Vanta flagship.
A facelifted Tank 500 was revealed in China earlier this yr, bringing new options like a built-in fridge and roof-mounted rear leisure system, in addition to beauty variations like a brand new grille and equipment shifter. Nonetheless, this replace received’t come to Australia.
The Tank 500 PHEV joins a rising vary of GWM PHEVs in Australia, following the Cannon Alpha PHEV, Haval H6 PHEV and Haval H6 GT PHEV, all of which have been launched right here this yr.
MORE: Discover the GWM Tank 500 showroom
