GETTING TANKED

GWM EXPANDS IT TANK 4X4 RANGE WITH THE LUXURIOUS TANK 500 WAGON

- MATT RAUDONIKIS

GWM, the brand formerly known as Great Wall, has launched a serious assault on the large 4x4 wagon segment with its three-row, seven-seat, body-on-frame Tank 500. Set to go head-to-head with the likes of Ford Everest, Toyota Prado and Isuzu MU-X, the Tank 500 is a large 4x4 wagon measuring 5078mm in length and 1934mm wide. Thanks to its dimensions, some might even see it as an alternative to the Toyota LandCruiser 300 and Nissan Patrol wagon.

To get your head around the size of the Tank, the soon-to-be superseded segment-leading Toyota Prado 150 is 4930mm long and 1885mm wide, while the Ford Everest comes in at 4914mm long by 2207mm wide. Yep, the Tank is a big wagon, and you appreciate it when you climb into its well-appointed cabin.

WHAT YOU GET

THE Tank 500 is available in two grades; the 500 Lux at $66,490 drive away and the 500 Ultra at $73,990 drive away. Both of these three-row, seven-seat models are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine hybrid powertrain that produces a claimed combined 255kW of power and 642Nm of torque, with a claimed combined fuel consumption of 8.5L/100km.

Standard equipment in the Tank 500 Lux includes auto-levelling LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a powered sunroof, faux leather interior trim with heating and 8-way power adjustment on the driver's seat and 4-way power adjustment on the front passenger's seat, 14.6-inch touch infotainment screen with 360° view monitor and clear chassis view, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless CarPlay and Android phone mirroring, and an eight-speaker audio system.