China’s answer to the Ford Bronco Wildtrak has broken cover – and it could come to Australia
The Wey Cyber Tank 300 has been unveiled at the 2021 Shanghai motor show in China – and the rugged off-road electrified concept could end up in Australian showrooms.
The boxy-looking 4×4 is based on the standard Wey Tank 300, which is under consideration by GWM Australia and would likely be badged the Haval Tank 300 if it gets the green light to take on the Jeep Wrangler here.
The Shanghai concept is still to be confirmed for production, but looks the goods with its wide-body kit with extended wheel-arches, a roof spoiler and several other tough upgrades.
Wey has not yet revealed what’s under the bonnet, but given the fact it’s swathed with Y-shaped, power-point-inspired LEDs and logos, features a solar panel on the roof and has plenty of electric-themed bright-yellow highlights (and the term ‘cyber’ in its name), there’s a strong chance this will be an electrified version of the Tank 300, perhaps a plug-in hybrid.
This will likely be the brand’s powerful 380kW (510hp) and 750Nm plug-in hybrid powerplant, which connects a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine with an electric motor and a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Regular Tank 300 models are offered with turbocharged petrol (167kW/387Nm) and diesel four-cylinder combustion engines (135kW/480Nm).
With hints of the top-spec Ford Bronco Wildtrak off-road 4×4 and even the Mercedes-Benz G-Class 4WD to the design, the Tank 300 also manages to leverage Tesla’s hugely anticipated Cybertruck name.
Given the close connections to the Tank 300, there’s a strong chance the Chinese car-maker will use the Cyber Tank as the basis for a range-topping flagship version for customers who want something more extreme.
The interior of the concept car is intense, with lots of shiny silver elements combining with white leather upholstery. The gear shifter is also striking, with a futuristic design.
Like its donor vehicle, the Haval Cyber Tank 300 is based on a rugged ladder-frame chassis and comes with a switchable 4×4 system with high- and low-ratio gearing, centre and rear diff locks and plenty of ground clearance – 224mm on the regular models.
The Haval Tank 300 name has been registered here via IP Australia, which suggests the Chinese car importer is serious about offering the Ford Bronco rival Down Under.
As the Chinese car market continues to mature and moves away from copycat designs, sales of vehicles imported from China are skyrocketing in Australia, with GWM and Haval sales up by more than 170 per cent combined so far this year.
Keyword: SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW: Haval Cyber Tank 300 a chance for Oz