It’s the beer battle! GWM takes on Denza in the fight to find the best Chinese PHEV 4×4
The Beer O’Clock Battle has erupted between rival Chinese plug-in hybrid 4×4 brands GWM and Denza, with both using Queensland’s notorious Beer O’Clock Hill climb to showcase the off-road capability of their electrified SUVs.
Earlier this month BYD’s premium off-road brand Denza tackled the steep obstacle at Queensland’s The Springs 4×4 Park with its petrol-electric B5 and B8 plug-in hybrid SUVs, successfully reaching the summit in a demonstration aimed at proving the models could compete in Australia’s diesel-dominated off-road market.
Now rival Chinese manufacturer GWM has responded with a challenge of its own, claiming a perfect five-from-five success rate on the same climb.
READ MORE: Diesel heartland conquered: Electrified Denza B5 and B8 challenge and beat Beer O’Clock Hill
READ MORE: GWM Tank 300 plug-in: Full spec and technical details confirmed, including 115km EV range
READ MORE: Plug-in hybrid GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T launched in Australia: And it comes with a Toyota Prado-bashing price tag and 120km EV range
According to the company, five GWM vehicles have now completed the ascent, including the new Tank 300 Hi4-T and Tank 500 Hi4-T plug-in hybrids, along with the Cannon XSR, Cannon Alpha Hi4-T and the diesel-powered Tank 300.
GWM says the Tank 300 Hi4-T completed the climb in standard production specification on highway tyres (pictured top) rather than aggressive off-road rubber.
GWM also said the vehicles used in the demonstration were also unmodified showroom models, with no mechanical changes, software adjustments or special preparation for the run.
Central to the brand’s electrified off-road push is its Hi4-T plug-in hybrid system, which combines a petrol engine with electric motors and traditional four-wheel-drive hardware including locking differentials and a low-range transfer case.
The system is designed to deliver strong low-speed torque and traction in challenging terrain, an area where manufacturers of electrified off-road vehicles are increasingly attempting to prove parity with traditional diesel-powered four-wheel drives.
Beer O’Clock Hill has become a recognised proving ground for off-road capability among enthusiasts and manufacturers alike, with gradients reaching around 55 degrees.
Steve Maciver, Head of Marketing & Communications at GWM Australia & New Zealand, said the result demonstrates that new energy vehicles can deliver at the highest level, without compromise.
“Beer O’Clock Hill is becoming one of the toughest proving grounds for any off-road vehicle in Australia. Having no less than five vehicles across the range conquering Beer O’Clock Hill is something we are incredibly proud of, but certainly not surprised,” he said.
“The latest Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV climbing the hill on highway tyres speaks volumes about the engineering behind the Hi4-T system.
“This is electrification designed for real off-road performance, delivering instant torque, precise traction and relentless climbing ability.
“New Energy Vehicles should enhance capability, not limit it, and what we have demonstrated is that GWM’s technology delivers both efficiency and serious off-road performance, without compromise.”
