WATCH: GWM Tank 300 touches down primed for battle

Easily one of the most highly awaited new models destined to launch in South Africa within the coming months, the Great Wall Motors (GWM) Tank 300 made its first public showing on local soil at the Nampo Agricultural expo in Bothaville in the Free State earlier this month.

Watch Tank walkaround below

The model that will kick-off a more expansive roll-out of Tank products over the coming months and years, the 300, like the all-electric Ora shown at the same event, will be marketed under the GWM brand rather than being sold under the Tank and Ora brands as case is in China.

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Already sold in Australia where both conventional turbocharged petrol and mild-hybrid petrol engine options are offered, the retro-styled body-on-frame Tank 300 will get both in South Africa, although at Nampo, only the top-spec Super Luxury hybrid was made available for showing.

Off-road ready

Styled to resemble the Ford Bronco and the Soviet-era UAZ 469 military ‘jeep’, the Tank 300 is expected to offer up to three diff-locks similar to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, as well as two four-wheel-drive systems; a part-time setup with 2H,4H and 4L on the petrol and a full-time configuration on the hybrid.

While not disclosed at Nampo, the 300’s breakover, departure and approach angles are likely to mirror those of the Down Under derivative, and as such, will take aim at obstacles with the following gradients; 23.1-degrees, 34-degrees and 33-degrees.

Pick your power

On the power front, the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol has been carried over from the Haval H6 GT, but retuned to deliver 162kW/387Nm as opposed to 155kW/325Nm. Also gone is the coupe-styled SUV’s seven-speed dual-clutch replaced by a torque-converter eight-speed automatic sourced from ZF.

The exhibited twin parallel HEV model is entirely different as in place of the electrified 1.5-litre turbo-petrol used in the Haval H6 HEV, GWM has opted for a bigger 2.0-litre turbo that combines with the electric hardware to develop a combined 258kW/615Nm.

In this application, a uniquely tuned nine-speed automatic gearbox is the only transmission choice available.

Spec

Although exact specification is to be announced later, at Nampo, the Super Luxury was confirmed to receive the following as standard:

• dual 12.3-inch infotainment system and instrument cluster;
• tyre pressure monitor;
• three steering modes (Light, Comfort and Sport);
• panoramic sunroof;
• towbar;
• electric front seats;
• transparent forward facing off-road camera;
• Crawl Control;
• six driving modes (Eco, Standard, Sport, Snow, Mud and Sand)
• surround-view camera system;
• Adaptive Cruise Control;
• Autonomous Emergency Braking;
• Driver Attention Alert;
• Junction Assist
• Dynamic Direction Stabilisation Assist

In addition to Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control and an emergency fuel cut-off system directly after an accident, GWM has made the intricate Tank Turn feature available in South Africa.

Despite sounding similar to the four-wheel steering CrabWalk system of the GMC Hummer EV, the feature is only designed to reduce the Tank’s turning circle to 300 mm when off-roading in tight areas.

Price

Set to be offered in five colours; Pearl White, Crystal Black, Fossil Grey, Mars Red and Dusk Orange, the Tank 300 will have its prices start at R685 900 and end at R851 900 for the HEV.

As mentioned though, expect more detailed information soon.

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