GWM Tank 300 Australian release confirmed, price revealed for body-on-frame 4WD

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Chinese brand GWM has revealed that it will release its Tank 300 midsize body-on-frame four-wheel drive in Australia with a price of $55,990 driveaway for the entry-level Lux variant.

The first shipment of Tank 300 units has landed in Australia. GWM has warned that supply will initially be patchy but that it hopes to achieve 300 to 400 Australian sales per month on an ongoing basis.

GWM markets the Tank brand as an individual marque in mainland China, but the vehicle will be sold as a GWM model in Australia alongside the now-familiar GWM Cannon Ute that Chasing Cars ran as a long-term test vehicle earlier in 2022.

Putting its Tonka truck-esque styling in context, the Tank 300 measures 4760mm in length and is about 12cm shorter than a five-door Jeep Wrangler. It’s a little larger than GWM’s Haval H6 model, a car-based, soft-roading midsize SUV.

Body-on-frame chassis and hybrid engine

Like that Jeep, the Tank 300 uses a body-on-frame chassis rather than a monocoque architecture. This promises considerable articulation and off-road readiness. GWM quotes ground clearance of 224mm, and approach and departure angles of 33 and 34 degrees.

GWM says that underbody protection is fitted as standard, as is crawl control – understood to be off-road low-speed cruise control – plus tank-turn functionality, which uses braking on individual wheels to artificially tighten the car’s turning radius.

The only engine available at launch for the Tank 300 in Australia will be a petrol-electric hybrid unit. GWM’s 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder unit makes 180kW/380Nm by itself, while the electric motor can contribute an additional 78kW/268Nm.

Peak combined outputs for the system are not yet known – we’ve asked GWM for clarification, but we understand that they could be 224kW/640Nm.

GWM is working on re-certification of the Tank 300’s fuel consumption score. Chasing Cars understands the 4WD was previously homologated for efficiency of between 9L/100km and 10L/100km. The re-certification process could see the final number sit at a lower level.

300-400 monthly sales targeted for brand-building 4WD

Speaking with Chasing Cars, GWM marketing chief Steve Maciver said the Tank 300 was aimed at a segment that was “a little bit different from a conventional Haval SUV, which are very much road-going focussed…this car will do all that, but then add more hardcore four-wheel drive tech to enable it to take on more extreme 4×4 [trails].”

Asked to name the Tank 300’s key rivals, Maciver acknowledged competitors like the Jeep Wrangler, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Isuzu MU-X.

Maciver said hopes were high for the Tank 300.

“We track model awareness monthly, and even though we have done [very little marketing for the Tank 300 locally], there is already demand for this car in the background. We have people telling us, ‘hey, we want a Tank!’,” Maciver said. “We think it is one of the cars with potential to really take our brand to the next level.”

If GWM attains its Tank 300 sales target of 3600-4800 annually, the 4WD would become the brand’s fourth-best seller behind the Haval Jolion small SUV, GWM Ute pick-up and Haval H6 midsize SUV.

By comparison, Isuzu sells around 11,000 MU-X units in Australia each year. Mitsubishi moves about 9000 Pajero Sports per year in this market, but American brand Jeep has struggled to crack 1000 Wrangler sales in Australia this year.

Overseas, GWM sells a Tank 500 model that would compete more closely with the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado if it was imported to Australia in future.

Twin grade strategy from $56K to $61K in Australia

GWM will introduce the Tank 300 to Australia with two trim grades, using the brand’s Lux and Ultra nomenclature. The Lux runs with the the headline $55,990 driveaway price with the Ultra commanding a $5000 premium at $60,990 driveaway.

Standard features on the Lux variant take in:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Locking rear differential
• Two-piece underbody guard
• Tank-turn function
• LED headlights and taillights
• Sunroof
• Auto-folding, heated wing mirrors
• Comfort-Tek (vinyl) upholstery
• Microfibre leather steering wheel
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch touchscreen
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Nine-speaker stereo
• Ambient interior lighting (seven colours)
• Digital radio
• 360-degree camera, plus front and rear parking sensors

Meanwhile, stepping up to the flagship Tank 300 Ultra model sees buyers upgrade to:

• Larger 18-inch alloys
• Locking front differential
• Three-piece underbody guard
• Nappa leather upholstery
• 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with massage
• Heated and cooled front seats
• Heated steering wheel in leather
• Nine-speaker Infinity premium stereo
• Ambient interior lighting (64 colours)
• 220-volt power outlet in the boot
• Automated parking function with reverse tracking

Both grades will be available in five colours: Hamilton white, crystal black, lunar red, dusk orange, and fossil grey.

Centre airbag, AEB standard across the range

The Tank 300 has not yet been rated by Australian crash and safety body ANCAP, but it is worth noting that all of GWM’s recent releases – including the GWM Ute, Haval H6 and Haval Jolion – have all received five stars.

Standard safety features across the Tank 300 range include:

• Seven airbags including a centre airbag
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keeping assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Rear cross traffic alert with AEB intervention

Long warranty as standard

GWM has confirmed that the Tank 300 will be sold in Australia with a standard seven year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

Five years of roadside assistance will also be provided with the Tank 300, while a capped price servicing system should lessen maintenance costs for the first five years.

GWM Tank 300 2023: prices in Australia

All prices listed are national Australian driveaway prices.

• Lux: $55,990
• Ultra: $60,990