The BYD Shark 6 may have swum to Australia first, but it’s about to face some competition from another popular Chinese brand.
Images of the local-spec 2025 GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV have been leaked and they appear to have been taken from the GWM Australia’s public website.
Australian media were given the opportunity to drive this vehicle in September 2024, but it was a left-hand drive vehicle with the appearance of the turbocharged V6-powered Performance Edition not sold here.
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At the time, the Cannon Alpha PHEV was tipped for a local launch late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2025.
The leaked images reveal the Cannon Alpha PHEV does without the visual enhancements of the left-hand drive test vehicle, and closely resembles the diesel and hybrid Cannon Alpha models already sold here.
However, there appears to be a choice of two looks: one with a black grille, badging and wheels; and one with the same appearance as the existing Ultra and Ultra Hybrid, complete with a chrome-laden grille.
Available colours include Marble White, Storm Grey, Onyx Silver, Crystal Black and Lunar Red.
The Cannon Alpha PHEV mates a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 180kW of power and 380Nm of torque with a 120kW/400Nm electric motor, for total system outputs of 300kW and 750Nm.
There’s a 37.1kWh ternary lithium battery and a claimed electric-only WLTC range of up to 110km, and claimed fuel consumption of 1.7L/100km.
GWM’s plug-in ute features four-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission.
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Chinese-spec Cannon Alpha Hi4-T
Unlike the Shark, which has a braked towing capacity of 2500kg, GWM says the Cannon Alpha PHEV is rated to tow the benchmark 3500kg.
Local pricing and specifications have yet to be announced, but available off-road gear in China includes locking front, rear and centre differentials, multiple terrain modes, and selectable high- and low-range gearing.
The PHEV ute segment is heating up. The BYD Shark was the first to launch here, with deliveries beginning in January, while the Ford Ranger PHEV is due here mid-year and will match the GWM with a 3500kg braked towing figure.
The Cannon Alpha will be GWM’s second PHEV here. Due this quarter is the GWM Haval H6 GT PHEV, an electrified version of the brand’s mid-sized coupe SUV.
Stay tuned to CarExpert.com.au for more on the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV.