A recent trip to Australia allowed a small group of South African journalists to experience various products from the GWM stable that are likely to be released locally in the not-too-distant future. Some of the models were under embargo at the time of writing, but we can share details surrounding the Tank 300, a luxury off-roader that looks to establish 'Tank' as another sub-brand within GWM.
The Rise of GWM
For those unfamiliar with the structure of Chinese automaker GWM, it owns brands such as ORA, the all-electric carmaker, Haval, its SUV division, Tank, a luxury off-road SUV brand, and GWM as a light commercial vehicle supplier, among others. This means that the meteoric rise of the Haval brand within a local context and the solid sales figures registered by the P-Series bakkie make GWM a force to be reckoned with, particularly when we see what it has to offer going forward.
Related: GWM Tank 300 HEV - Quick Review
The launch event
At the aptly-named Australian Automotive Research Centre, we had access to the likes of the recently introduced Haval Jolion Hybrid, the familiar H6 HEV, a couple of electric vehicles (which are under embargo), and the Tank 300, a premium off-road vehicle that has those with an active lifestyle well within its scope.
The Tank 300
Many will see the Tank 300, from a purely aesthetic perspective, as a blend of several popular off-road models from other automakers, but the reality is that there is only so much a brand can do to differentiate a boxy all-terrain lifestyle vehicle. In this writer's opinion, the Tank is certainly distinctive enough to not be mistaken for another product.
Specification
The common thread running through GWM's products over the past decade has been the perceived value they offer in relation to other vehicles at the same price point. This value-for-money proposition has secured Haval a significant share within the local SUV market, and when looking at the host of semi-autonomous driver aids, a 5-Star ANCAP rating, the 12.3-inch infotainment system and a host of creature comforts seen in the Tank, standard specification appears to be one of the 300's most appealing attributes. We are unsure as to which specification we will receive locally, but looking at local market trends, the flagship Tank is likely to be launched locally first, with a more affordable version potentially joining the line-up at a later stage.
Powertrain
Despite the fact that the Tank, in right-hand drive guise is a hybrid, it does not feature the same two-speed hybrid system as the H6 and Jolion hybrid models, but instead a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor that has a combined output of 258kW/615Nm. The power is sent through all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic gearbox. We only had a chance to drive the Tank in a low-speed off-road environment, so we are unsure as to how the seemingly potent powertrain actually performs but found the all-electric mode to be useful in this low-speed environment, making it easy to whisper past a young kangaroo while navigating the off-road course.
Off-road credentials
With a Wrangler-esque aesthetic, the Tank needs to have the figures to back up its off-road-ready looks, and the 300 appears to have its bases covered. The figures include a ladder frame chassis shared with the P-Series, a selectable four-wheel drive system with low range, 224mm of ground clearance, which is less than we had anticipated, an approach angle of 33-degrees, a departure angle of 34-degrees, a wading depth of 700mm and a braked towing capacity of 2 500kg. There is also a locking rear differential, while those that spring for the flagship will get a locker up front too.
So how do these promising off-road specifications fare in the real world? While the course we were allowed to drive on was not rated highly in terms of difficulty, it allowed us to evaluate the Tank's off-road prowess. With axle twisters, steep climbs, a river crossing, muddy ruts and short, sharp descents, we managed to ascertain that the Tank is capable, but will require more off-road-ready tyres for those looking at hardcore off-road driving, while the relatively low ground clearance figure means that the odd scrape is audible.
Pricing
It is impossible to predict the pricing of a product such as the Tank when it arrives in the local market due to currency fluctuations and other economic factors, however, we can look at the price of the product in Australia. The flagship model retailed for $60 990, which at the time of writing was equivalent to R746 997.
Verdict
Make what you will of its name, but when one considers the specification on offer with the Tank 300 at the anticipated price point, it would appear to offer a compelling package for those looking at a lifestyle off-road SUV that goes about things rather differently. With its local arrival expected within the coming months, its price point is of vital importance, but if GWM gets its positioning right, we predict success for this product within the local market.
