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A bigger-capacity, new-generation diesel engine will make its international debut in Australia within the giant GWM Tank 500 off-road SUV – and most probably the GWM Cannon Alpha dual-cab ute, too.
An up to date Tank 500 as a consequence of be launched right here in mid-2026 will embody a brand new four-cylinder 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, the most important diesel engine but seen in GWM’s reply to the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest, mixed completely with a nine-speed computerized transmission and four-wheel drive.
It can give GWM one of many bigger diesel engines in Australian showrooms, rivalling the displacement of the three.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel obtainable within the Ford Ranger and its Everest sister mannequin.
“Our 3.0-litre diesel Tank and pickup mannequin will make their international debut proper right here in Australia by mid subsequent yr,” mentioned GWM chief know-how officer, Nicole Wu, on the firm’s 2025 Tech Day in Melbourne.
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Ms Wu mentioned the larger new diesel engine might be a improvement of the two.4-litre turbo-diesel engine presently obtainable within the Tank 300 and the Cannon and Cannon Alpha utes in Australia, and initially gained’t be electrified.
There’s no details about efficiency or effectivity, however given its circa-600cc capability enhance it’s secure to imagine the brand new 3.0-litre engine will produce extra energy and torque than GWM’s present 2.4-litre turbo-diesel, which delivers 135kW of energy and 480Nm of torque.
First launched completely with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol/electrical hybrid powertrain, the Tank 500 is now additionally obtainable with the identical 300kW/750Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol/electrical plug-in hybrid system because the Cannon Alpha, through which the larger new diesel engine ought to change the two.4-litre turbo-diesel, maybe for a value premium.
On the similar time, nonetheless, it could decrease the value of entry to the Tank 500 vary, which presently opens at $66,490 drive-away for the bottom Tank 500 Hybrid Lux 4×4.
It may additionally make its solution to native showrooms within the bigger and extra luxurious Tank 700, which is but to be confirmed for this market however was a part of latest GWM Australia media drive occasions.
GWM mentioned it’s following a ‘multi-pathway’ method to automobile powertrains – the identical technique as market-leading Toyota – having introduced extra electrical automobiles (EVs) in addition to upcoming hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and diesel-powered fashions.
Nevertheless, not like Toyota Australia – whose gross sales, advertising and marketing and franchise operations boss Sean Hanley just lately predicted the demise of diesel – GWM says diesel is right here to remain.
“Diesel – I don’t suppose on this nation – goes anyplace in a rush,” GWM Australia advertising and marketing chief Steve Maciver advised CarExpert.
“We expect diesel continues to be going to play an vital half for us… however the bottom line is the manufacturers who can develop the offsets and credit to offset the penalties diesel could appeal to are those who get the most effective probability.”
Mr Maciver was referring to the monetary penalties imposed by the federal authorities for breaching Australia’s new automotive emissions rules underneath the New Car Effectivity Scheme (NVES), which got here into impact this yr.
“We’re comparatively assured primarily based on the powertrains we all know are coming our approach that we’re going to be fairly nicely positioned going by means of NVES… we predict that aggressive benefit stays,” he mentioned.
Whereas Toyota, which is able to the primary (V6 petrol-electric) hybrid model of its iconic LandCruiser to its Australian showrooms in 2026, has mentioned it expects hydrogen will begin to take over from diesel in round a decade, as soon as once more GWM differs in its forecast.
‘“I believe hydrogen is a approach off but,” mentioned Mr Maciver.
“The infrastructure, the packaging – there’s a complete lot of issues we’ve started working by means of. If we are able to get our emissions proper, and our uptake of plug-in and EV, we are able to hold diesel for some time.
“I believe this nation is about [for diesel] – you’re going to want it for some time.”
MORE: Discover the GWM Tank 500 showroom
