Battle ready GWM Tank 300 rolling into South Africa in 2023

Having made further in-roads earlier this year with the H6 and before that, with the hugely popular Jolion, Haval’s parent company, Great Wall Motors (GWM), has confirmed that the retro-styled Tank 300 will be coming to South Africa next year.

What is it?

Showcased towards at the end of 2020 as a modern interpretation of the original Beijing Jeep and to some extent, the Soviet-era UAZ 469 military vehicle, the Tank 300, initially, formed part of the Wey sub-brand created as an even more plush division by GWM above Haval.

Since last year though, the 300 forms part of the Tank marque that focuses solely on off-road vehicles, in a line-up currently consisting out of the 300, 400, 700, 800 and the 500, speculation has alleged could also be earmarked for local introduction as a rival for the new Ford Everest and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

In a move similar to Australia though, where sales commenced two weeks ago, the 300 will be marketed as the GWM Tank 300 in South Africa instead of Tank 300 as in China.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Haval H6 GT more than just a pretty face

Designed for going off-road

Based on a body-on-frame platform and offering a ground clearance of 224 mm, the Tank 300 measures 4 760 mm long, 1 903 mm tall and 1 930 mm wide while measuring 2 750 mm long in the wheelbase department.

Able to tow 2 500 kg, it not only comes standard with a low range transfer case, but nine driving modes and like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, three locking differentials.

Sporting an approach angle of 33 degrees, a departure angle of 34 degrees and breakover of 23.1 degrees, the Tank 300’s claimed wading depth stands at 700 mm, and features what GWM calls Tank Turn that is supposed to reduce the 300’s turning circle off-road.

Underneath the bonnet

As for the mentioned hybrid itself, the Tank 300 receives the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine as the H6 GT, but revised to produce 167kW/389Nm. The sole transmission option is the familiar ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic.

The second option though is the Tank 300 HEV that marries the same engine with the parallel hybrid setup used on the H6 HEV.

Combined, the powerunit delivers a reported 224kW/640Nm that allows the Tank 300 to get from 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. A model specific nine-speed automatic transmission is entrusted with sending the amount of twist to all four corners.

Inside

As for specification, the Australian-market Tank 300 comes in two trim levels; Lux and Ultra, with amenities comprising a dual 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and infotainment system, LED headlights, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, faux leather seats with the driver’s chair being electric, ambient lightning, a nine-speaker sound system, tyre pressure monitor, a sunroof and the Crawl Control off-road function.

Reserved for the Ultra, which gets 18-inch as opposed to the Lux’s 17-inch alloy wheels, is a wireless smartphone charger, Nappa leather seats, a heated leather-covered steering wheel, expanded ambient lighting colours, heated and cooled front seats with a massaging function for the driver’s pew, and a nine-speaker Infinity audio system.

In response to the strict ANCAP crash requirements, which saw it achieving the maximum five-stars, the Tank 300 receives Autonomous Emergency Braking as standard, along with a surround-view camera system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Reverse Automatic Braking, front and rear parking sensors, Lane Keep Assist, Driver Attention Alert and Traffic Sign Recognition.

When?

Priced at $55 990 (R642 121) for the Lux and at $60 990 (R699 464) for the Ultra, only the HEV versions have been allocated for Australia with the opposite likely to apply to South Africa, which could see the conventional petrol being introduced as well.

However, no pricing or specification have been rubber stamped for the local market just yet. Expect an announcement, and exact date of reveal, to be made early next year.

Additional information from carexpert.com.au.