THE 2023 GWM Tank 300 Hybrid has landed in Australian dealerships from $55,990 drive-away to become the first ever mass-production hybrid off-roader sold here.
Tank is a GWM spin-off brand in China, but here in Australia it falls under the parent moniker and uses the same 'P71' ladder-frame underpinnings from the GWM Ute Cannon range. There are five models overseas, but the 300 is first to hit Aussies shores with the Prado-sized 500 likely to follow suit.
Measuring 4.68 metres long and riding on a 2.75m wheelbase, the Tank 300 hybrid is essentially China's answer to the Jeep Wrangler.
The Tank's price and looks alone are pretty attractive for a recreational offroader, but it's the 258kW power figure and 615Nm of torque that are the most headline-grabbing. This is a hybrid, but not one necessarily built with fuel efficiency in mind.
On-demand 4x4 with a low-range transfer case, locking rear (and optional front) differential give the Tank 300 hybrid plenty of potential on paper, too.
It's a curious looking beast, with a hint of Holden Jackaroo, or even retro-future Lada Niva to the exterior design. We'll admit that black isn't the best choice of colours, instead the poppy Hamilton orange or Lunar red work better.
Despite having all the off-road goodies, the Tank 300's equipment list reads more like a 4x4 you'd pose at Bondi with than cross the Simpson in.
The base Lux trim we drove is a $55,990 drive-away proposition and ships with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, sunroof, leatherette upholstery, a heated steering wheel, four-way electric driver's seat, twin 12.3-inch displays and 360-degree camera on board.
GWM's touchscreen interface is typically frustrating and houses all the HVAC control within, but you'll likely learn the quirks over time.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work using a cable and the 12.3-inch digital driver's display gives all the info you need and more.
This story is from the March 2023 edition of Wheels Australia Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2023 edition of Wheels Australia Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WORK IN PROGRESS
WHEN YOUR LIVELIHOOD DEPENDS ON IT, DON'T TAKE ANY CHANCES
PREMIUM BLEND
HERE'S HOW TO ENJOY CHAMPAGNE ON A VAGUELY BEERY BUDGET
MIDDLE CLASS
THE AUSSIE FAMILY DREAM USED TO BE A QUARTER ACRE AND A PICKET FENCE. NOW IT'S A LITTLE MORE MODEST
SHORTY AWARDS
VALUE FOR MONEY CAN BE A RARE COMMODITY AMONG SMALL SUVS. HERE ARE THREE THAT ANSWER THE CALL
TOYOTA HAS A SECOND CRACK AT THE GR YARIS, NOW WITH AN AUTO
TOYOTA WAS SO concerned that it might not be able to sell all of the required 25,000 GR Yarises that it needed for World Rally Championship homologation that it created a cheaper, ordinary version of the three-door car for Japan, called the RS. It comes with the standard Yaris's humdrum 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain and none of the fancy running gear or hardware. They designed it to make up the numbers if the GR Yaris wasn't successful.
TUNDRA GETS RE-ENGINEERED FOR AUSTRALIA. WE ASSESS ITS PROGRESS
''Volume won't be a problem with this car based on our sales planning,\" says Sean Hanley, Toyota's Australian boss as he looks across to the right-hand-drive Tundra pick-up, the culmination of a five-year project.
FIRST Drives
THE NEW METAL THAT MATTERS, TRIALLED AND TESTED
The new Aussie champ
MORE CARS THAN EVER WERE SOLD IN 2023 AND A DECEMBER UPSET SAW THE FORD RANGER BEAT THE TOYOTA HILUX TO BECOME THE NATION'S TOP-SELLING VEHICLE
Petrol prices explained
IT'S A MYSTERY TO MOST OF US BUT JUST HOW IS THE PRICE OF FUEL DETERMINED IN AUSTRALIA?
HIGH-BRED HYBRIDS
DO YOU REALLY NEED A LARGE SUV? HONDA'S NEW CR-V IN HYBRID FORM MAKES A COMPELLING ARGUMENT, EVEN WHEN PITCHED AGAINST SOME HEAVY-DUTY COMPETITION