Chinese car-maker’s hard-core 4x4 off-road Tank brand finally heads into battle after a false start
The 2023 GWM Tank 300 – China’s answer to the Jeep Wrangler – is now entering Australian showrooms, armed with a new turbo-petrol engine and effectively relaunching the Chinese car-maker’s hard-core 4×4 off-road brand.
After the first battalion of hybrid models failed to arrive as anticipated, the Tank 300 five-seater mid-size SUV is staging a second strike with the non-electrified petrol engine that brings the entry price down to $46,990 drive-away.
See our launch review of the new Tank 300 here, which is now available as GWM Australia continues to work on bringing the hybrid models Down Under, after “‘production delays” have kept them offshore.
There’s also a turbo-diesel engine offered in China, but currently no plans to offer it here.
“Petrol was always supposed to arrive after hybrid in Australia,” GWM Australia marketing chief Steve Maciver told carsales.
He added that the Tank 300 was already generating plenty of interest, with 150 sold in the first few weeks on sale.
“That’s ahead of the official media launch and with no marketing or promotion,” said Maciver.
“We expect supply to be reasonable and so far supply has been good. We should be able to meet demand.”
It’s understood that sales of 300 to 400 units per month are being discussed internally.
At present, just two models are in stock: the 2023 GWM Tank 300 Lux (from $46,990 drive-away) and the GWM Tank 300 Ultra (from $50,990 d/a).
The hybrids are due to arrive in the coming months, also in Lux ($55,990 d/a) and Ultra ($60,990 d/a) model grades.
“We are expecting them soon and are awaiting a firm ETA on shipping from head office,” said Maciver.
The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine produces 162kW of power at 5500rpm and 380Nm of torque, while the hybrid powerplant relies on a different 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol-electric system that musters 258kW/615Nm.
GWM Tank is expected to flesh out its range with a circa-$60,000 Toyota Prado rival in the form the Tank 500, which is already in Australia undergoing testing.
Despite having multiple brands under one umbrella – GWM, Haval, Ora and now Tank – GWM’s positioning of its budget challenger brands has seen a steady increase in sales Down Under.
In the first half of 2024, the GWM stable amassed 17,548 sales, more than twice as many as it managed over the same period last year.
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Keyword: GWM Tank 300 reloads and relaunches in Australia