GWM doubles down on PHEV utes: New 310kW Cannon Hi4-T promises sharp price and 115km EV range
GWM is doubling down on plug-in hybrid utes in Australia, confirming a new Cannon Hi4-T PHEV that will sit below the larger Cannon Alpha and has promised ut will be one of the cheapest electrified utes on the market.
The arrival of the Cannon Hi4-T will also make GWM the first brand in Australia to offer two separate PHEV ute model lines, with the newcomer joining the existing Cannon Alpha Hi4-T.
And despite being the smaller and potentially significantly cheaper of the two, the Cannon Hi4-T actually produces slightly more power than its big brother.
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Its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and electric motor produce a combined 310kW and 750Nm, compared with 300kW and 750Nm for the Cannon Alpha PHEV.
A sizeable 33.1kWh battery provides a claimed 115km of electric-only driving on the NEDC test cycle, matching the larger Cannon Alpha, the latter employing a 37.1kWh battery.
The Cannon Hi4-T’s claimed petrol-electric combined range is 1037km, while official combined fuel consumption is listed at 2.4L/100km.
GWM has yet to announce Australian pricing or an exact launch date, saying those details will be revealed closer to launch. However, it has already promised the Cannon Hi4-T will be “one of Australia’s most affordable plug-in hybrid utes”.
The JAC Hunter currently sets the PHEV ute price floor at $49,988 plus on-road costs for the Pro, rising to $54,844 for the Hunter X.
BYD’s expanded Shark 6 range starts at $55,900 plus on-roads for the Dynamic cab-chassis, followed by the $57,900 Premium and $62,900 Performance dual-cabs.
GWM itself currently advertises the larger Cannon Alpha Lux PHEV for $57,490 drive-away and the Ultra PHEV for $64,490 drive-away.
At the other end of the market, the Ford Ranger PHEV officially starts at $71,990 plus on-road costs for the XLT, rising through the $75,990 Sport and $79,990 Wildtrak to the $86,990 Stormtrak. However, the Ranger currently has substantial discounts in-place.
Australian PHEV ute comparison
| Model | Price | Power | Torque | Battery | EV range | Braked towing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAC Hunter Pro | $49,988 +ORC | 360kW | 1010Nm | 31.2kWh | 100km NEDC | 3500kg |
| JAC Hunter X | $54,844 +ORC | 360kW | 1010Nm | 31.2kWh | 100km NEDC | 3500kg |
| BYD Shark 6 Dynamic C/C | $55,900 +ORC | 321kW | 650Nm | 29.6kWh | 100km NEDC | 2500kg |
| GWM Cannon Hi4-T | TBA | 310kW | 750Nm | 33.1kWh | 115km NEDC | 3500kg |
| GWM Cannon Alpha Lux PHEV | $57,490 drive-away* | 300kW | 750Nm | 37.1kWh | 115km NEDC | 3500kg |
| BYD Shark 6 Premium | $57,900 +ORC | 321kW | 650Nm | 29.6kWh | 100km NEDC | 2500kg |
| BYD Shark 6 Performance | $62,900 +ORC | 350kW | 700Nm | 29.6kWh | 80km WLTP | 3500kg |
| GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra PHEV | $64,490 drive-away* | 300kW | 750Nm | 37.1kWh | 115km NEDC | 3500kg |
| Ford Ranger PHEV XLT | $71,990 +ORC | 207kW | 697Nm | 11.8kWh usable | 49km | 3500kg |
| Ford Ranger PHEV Sport | $75,990 +ORC | 207kW | 697Nm | 11.8kWh usable | 49km | 3500kg |
| Ford Ranger PHEV Wildtrak | $79,990 +ORC | 207kW | 697Nm | 11.8kWh usable | 49km | 3500kg |
| Ford Ranger PHEV Stormtrak | $86,990 +ORC | 207kW | 697Nm | 11.8kWh usable | 49km | 3500kg |
The Hi4-T’s 310kW output trails the 360kW JAC Hunter and 350kW Shark 6 Performance, but it combines 750Nm with 3500kg towing and a claimed 115km NEDC electric range.
It also comfortably exceeds the Ranger PHEV’s 207kW and 697Nm and has a much larger battery than the Ford’s 11.8kWh usable pack. The Ranger nevertheless retains the benchmark 3500kg braked towing capacity.
The Cannon Hi4-T takes a different approach to some electrified rivals by retaining a traditional transmission and mechanical four-wheel-drive system.
GWM says its Hi4-T architecture was developed specifically for body-on-frame four-wheel drives, combining the petrol engine and electric motor while maintaining mechanical four-wheel drive rather than relying solely on electric motors to provide drive to individual axles.
That philosophy is shared with the larger Cannon Alpha PHEV and is aimed at retaining conventional ute attributes for towing and off-road use.
The new Cannon matches the Alpha, JAC Hunter, Shark 6 Performance and Ranger PHEV with a 3500kg braked towing capacity, while GWM has also confirmed Vehicle-to-Load functionality and integrated 230V outlets in the tub.
Those outlets can be used to run tools, camping equipment and other electrical appliances from the vehicle’s high-voltage battery.
GWM hasn’t yet detailed payload, charging speeds, dimensions, equipment levels or how many Cannon Hi4-T variants will be offered in Australia.
Those specifications, along with pricing and local launch timing, will be announced closer to its arrival.
The PHEV ute field is set to become more crowded again, with several more plug-in hybrid utes on the way. Among them is the Chery Stockman, which has been promoted as a world-first diesel-electric plug-in hybrid ute and is being developed with Australian engineering input ahead of its local arrival.
