GWM’s Toyota Prado-rivalling SUV has now been approved for sale in Australia ahead of its expected launch in the first quarter of 2024.
According to government approval documents, the GWM Tank 500 has been approved to be sold locally only with a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.
This marries a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor for a total system output of 258kW of power.
If this powertrain sounds familiar it’s because it’s also used in the smaller GWM Tank 300 Hybrid. Deliveries of this boxy off-roader have just commenced in Australia.
According to the approval documents, the Tank 500’s hybrid powertrain is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with drive sent through a full-time four-wheel drive system.
In other markets the GWM Tank 500 is available with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 featuring a 48V mild-hybrid system producing total outputs of 260kW and 500Nm.
It’s also available with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a 19.94kWh battery pack. Total system outputs are 300kW and 750Nm.
At this stage it’s unclear if GWM Australia plans to have the mild-hybrid V6 or PHEV powertrains certified for sale locally.
The GWM Tank 500 measures in at 5078mm long, 1934mm wide, and 1905mm tall, with a 2850mm wheelbase. This is slightly larger than the outgoing Toyota Prado.
The approval documents also reveal the Tank 500 has a braked towing capacity of 3000kg and an unbraked towing capacity of 750kg. It has a tare mass of 2630kg and a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3395kg.
The approval documents reveal the Tank 500 will come standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, though 19- and 20-inch wheels will be optional.
Inside, the Tank 500 boasts a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Available luxury features in other markets include Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, as well as heated and ventilated front seats with eight different massage modes.
MORE: When larger, more luxurious GWM ute and SUV are expected in Australia
