2025 GWM Tank 300 gets payload, towing upgrades, but large SUV lineup shrinks

GWM just added a diesel engine to its Tank 300, and now it has treated petrol and hybrid versions of the large off-road SUV to updates aimed at increasing their capability.

More than 20 engineering enhancements applied to the diesel-powered Tank 300, launched earlier this year and pictured below, have now been extended to petrol and hybrid variants – for no extra charge, with pricing remaining unchanged.

These enhancements larger front brake rotors and calipers, a reinforced prop shaft, upgraded wheel bearings, and strengthened front suspension knuckles.

As a consequence, petrol and hybrid versions of the Tank 300 now match the diesel with a braked towing capacity of 3000kg, up from 2500kg.

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Payload has also been increased to a minimum of 600kg (Ultra Hybrid) and a maximum of 610kg (Ultra petrol). Again, this effectively matches diesel vehicles which have a payload of 600kg.

Petrol and hybrid Tank 300s previously had maximum payload figures of 397kg and 420kg, respectively.

Coinciding with these updates, however, GWM has axed the petrol and hybrid versions of the entry-level Tank 300 Lux.

These powertrains can still be had in flagship Ultra trim, while the diesel continues to be offered in both Lux and Ultra trims.

GWM notes the diesel now accounts for 60 per cent of monthly Tank 300 sales, which led to the axing of the two variants.

“These important updates reflect our global team’s growing understanding of the Australian market, where towing capability and payload remains a key consideration for buyers in this segment”, said Steve Maciver, GWM Australia and New Zealand’s head of marketing and communications.

While the Tank 300 can now tow more than before, it still falls just shy of the Toyota Fortuner’s 3100kg figure, as well as the class-leading 3500kg offered by the Ford Everest, Toyota Prado and Isuzu MU-X.

The Tank 300’s higher towing capacity pushes it into the “heavy off-road passenger vehicles” category under the Australian Government’s incoming New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) emissions regulations.

The government says a “heavy off-road passenger vehicle” is an MC-category vehicle with a rated towing capacity of three tonnes or more, and featuring body-on-frame construction. This puts the Tank 300 in a category with a higher CO2 emissions target.

To the end of April this year, GWM has delivered 1278 Tank 300 vehicles, which is 11.6 per cent less than in the same period last year.

It’s sitting just ahead of the Fortuner (1250 deliveries), and is also ahead of the LDV D90 (1022) and KGM SsangYong Rexton (518).

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