GWM has introduced a more powerful turbo-diesel engine to its Cannon/Ute range in China, but it’s unclear when it’ll come here.
“The 2.4T is an engine we are interested in,” said a GWM Australia spokesperson.
The company didn’t confirm, however, when we could expect to see it in our market.
The 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine produces 135kW of power at 3600rpm and 480Nm of torque between 1500 and 2500rpm – up 15kW and 80Nm on the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four in the Australian-market GWM Ute.
It’s mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission instead of the eight-speed used with the 2.0-litre.
For context, the Ford Ranger pumps out 154kW and 500Nm when equipped with its 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, while the Toyota HiLux’s 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four produces 150kW and 500Nm.
GWM claims an unchanged towing capacity of 3000kg, still down on the 3500kg of the Ranger and HiLux.
This larger turbo-diesel engine is already used in the Australian-market Cannon Alpha, which does boast a 3500kg braked towing capacity figure.
In addition to the option of a more powerful turbo-diesel engine, the Cannon has also received a subtle facelift and an overhauled interior in China. These changes were first revealed last April.
GWM claims the interior is quieter thanks to more sound deadening.
It features a new, modern dashboard design, with a free-standing 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (up from 9.0 inches) and a 50W wireless phone charger.
Physical switchgear on the centre stack has been reduced, with just a single row of buttons below the touchscreen. The central air vents sits below this row.
There’s a new steering wheel design, while a new shifter – shared with GWM Tank products – sits on the centre console. The console is also lined with leatherette trim.
External changes are much more subtle, but include a restyled front bumper and grille.
GWM says the updated ute now includes Level 2+ autonomous driving technology, including traffic jam assist, while the vehicle supports over-the-air updates and can be remotely started, locked or unlocked, among other functions.
There’s also a semi-autonomous parking assist function.
GWM continues to split the Cannon range into four separate lines in China: a commercial version; a version aimed more at private buyers; an off-road version; and the unusual single-cab Artillery.
Only the private buyer and off-road versions are sold in Australia, the latter badged as the Cannon-XSR.
The Cannon/Ute was revealed in 2020 and arrived locally in 2021 to replace the Steed.
To the end of May, GWM has sold a total of 3522 examples in Australia this year. That puts it ahead of its fellow countryman, the LDV T60, with 2673 sales.
There’s about to be more competition in this budget ute space with another Chinese brand, JAC, bringing its T9 ute to Australia.
MORE: Everything GWM Ute
