The largest and most expensive car from GWM in Australia could offer turbo-diesel four-cylinder or twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid power, if it comes to showrooms.
The GWM Tank 700 four-wheel-drive could be the first $100,000 car to wear the company’s badge in Australia if it is green-lit for local showrooms.
And it could launch with 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 plug-in hybrid power – alongside a new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder – in place of the turbo-petrol V6 plug-in hybrid currently offered in China.
Stretching more than five metres long, the Tank 700 is a five-seat, ladder-frame rival for the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, and is GWM’s largest Tank-branded SUV.
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Top-of-the-range versions may push $100,000 drive-away, given the most expensive Tank 700 in China is twice the price of a flagship Tank 300 diesel, which is $51,990 in Australia.
GWM’s global boss of right-hand-drive markets, James Yang, told Australian and New Zealand media “we [are] also developing” a right-hand-drive version of the Tank 700.
Should the model come to Australia – which is likely, given Australia is a lead right-hand-drive market for GWM – it may be in an updated form, as the current Tank 700 was revealed nearly two years ago.
“Because this model in future will have a different version – a new version [is] in development – so we [are] also research[ing] which is suited for the Australian market,” said Yang.
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Yang’s reference to a “new version” is likely to indicate a facelift, rather than an all-new vehicle.
GWM may use the opportunity to add a third row of seats – given the size of the car, and that its rivals offer seven seats – or introduce new engines to the vehicle.
Among them is set to be a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder – with more grunt than the 135kW/480Nm of today’s 2.4-litre Cannon Alpha – which GWM Australia managing director Charles Zhao told media is planned for the model.
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More tantalising is the possibility of GWM’s new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, which is destined for Tank models in combination with a plug-in hybrid system using one electric motor.
Yang told media “for this vehicle, I think the V8 is suitable,” though GWM is yet to formally confirm which vehicles will inherit the new engine.
It would be expected to deliver better performance than the 385kW/800Nm of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 plug-in hybrid in China’s current Tank 700.
That vehicle is capable of claimed zero to 100km/h acceleration in about five seconds, and a 100km electric driving range in NEDC lab testing from its 37.1kWh battery.
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“Last year I visited Australia … A lot of the customer scenarios [in Australia are] totally different [to] China, such as the towing scenario,” Yang said.
“In China, [customers] seldom use a car [for] towing [a] boat … But in Australia it’s very normal.
“So I think for GWM, in the future we will pay more attention to the local Australian customer scenario, and choose the right version, the right technology, the powertrain for our customer, and also maybe also develop some foundation for our customer.”
GWM is aiming for the V8 plug-in hybrid to run in electric mode in regular city driving – for zero tailpipe emissions – but be called upon under load, such as while towing, to provide consistent power irrespective of the battery’s charge.
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Available features in the Tank 700 in China include three locking differentials, low-range capability, adjustable air suspension, and a rear sway bar disconnect.
Lift the suspension up, and it claims a 970mm maximum wading depth, 282mm of ground clearance, 37.8-degree approach angle, and 37.6-degree departure angle.
Features on offer include a wide 16.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument display, head-up dusplay, dual 50-watt wireless phone chargers, heated and ventilated seats, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon stereo.
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