Toyota Prado-crushing GWM Tank 500 PHEV with huge EV range could cap an electrified model rush by Chinese brand in Australia in 2025
A rush of new electrified models in Australian by Chinese powerhouse GWM could be capped off by a full-size Toyota Prado rival with supercar-rivalling performance numbers.
GWM already sells the Tank 500 seven-seat 4×4 as a petrol-electric hybrid in Australia but it will add a plug-in hybrid version before Christmas.
The underpinning PHEV design could be the Hi4-T system with mechanical 4×4 that debuts in Australia in the GWM Cannon Alpha ute in April.
READ MORE: Has the BYD Shark 6 already been dethroned? Ahead of April arrival, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV claims better towing and off-road numbers
READ MORE: 2024 GWM Haval Jolion Lux hybrid review: One of the most affordable hybrids on-sale in Australia and possibly the most annoying
READ MORE: Plug-in frenzy! GWM announces PHEV Haval H6GT, Cannon Alpha ute and H6 SUV for Australia to target Toyota’s hybrid supremacy
Or it could be the crazy electrically-based Hi4-Z system that claims a monstrous 635kW/1139Nm, a 201km claimed EV-range and a 0-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds!
The Hi4-T system makes a still substantial 300kW/750Nm and claims a 110km EV-only range.
Either system puts any orthodox large diesel 4×4 wagon such as the Toyota Prado, Ford Everest or Isuzu MU-X in the shade. It could also be priced at a challenging level, as the current Tank 500 starts $66,490 drive-away.
“Hi4-T is the better off-road option,” GWM Australia marketing and communications chief Steve Maciver said. “Hi4-Z will give us more range and probably be better for around the city performance, so we’ve got our choices there.”
The Tank 500 PHEV wraps up a huge year of model additions and updates for GWM and its Tank, Haval and Cannon brand sin Australia.
However, as previously reported, its Ora dedicated-EV brand won’t be seeing any action before 2026.
Electrified models coming in 2025 from GWM are:
February:
GWM Haval H6 GT medium SUV PHEV.
April:
GWM Cannon Alpha large ute PHEV
Quarter Two:
Facelifted Haval H6 medium SUV hybrid
Quarter Three:
Haval medium SUV hybrid
Quarter Four:
Facelifted Haval H6 medium SUV AWD hybrid and PHEV
Tank 500 PHEV
The GWM Model rush, which also includes non-electrified internal combustion models, is a cornerstone of its plan to grow beyond 50,000 sales in 2025 and reach 70,000 annual sales and top five status in Australia.
The expanding line-up of hybrids and PHEVs – and eventually EVs – is designed to protect GWM’s ability to stills ell cheaper ICE models in Australia despite the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) introduced this year.
“ICE is still going to be a meaningful part of our portfolio,” said Maciver. “If we are going to get to 70,000 sales and that’s the objective further down the line, then we don’t believe we can wash our hands of ICE.
“Ultimately, NVES will increase the price of internal combustion for everyone, but given our value advantage over most brands right now – assuming other brands will have to drop petrol or price up – even if we have to price up we still believe we will have that price advantage.
“Equally, with the significant number of hybrids and plug-in hybrids we will have in-market, we should be able to off-set a quite a few of those ICE [fines].”
The Tank 500 Hi4-T is powered by a Miller Cycle 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine working with an e-motor on the front axle to produce a combined 300kW/750Nm. A 36.7kWh battery pack sits under the rear seat.
Driving via a nine-speed transmission, the Hi-4T’s claimed WLTC electric driving range is 110km, combined range 790km and average fuel consumption at minimum charge is 8.8L/100km.
GWM says it accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds.
The Hi4-Z only debuted in the Tank 500 in China last December. It uses the same 180kW/380Nm engine as the Hi4-T but adds an extra e-motor on the rear axle, which helps boost those outputs into the stratosphere.
Because there is no driveshaft connecting the front and rear wheels, a larger 59.05kWh battery pack can sit under the floor.
Driving via a three-speed transmission, the Hi4-T’s claimed WLTC combined driving range is 1096km and claimed average fuel consumption at minimum state of charge is 8.6L/100km.
“Tank has been positioned in this market as professional off-road and Hi4-T probably supports that best in terms of making sure we’ve got the best possible mechanical connection for four-wheel drive,” said Maciver.
“That said though, we’ve got to do the work and think ‘what percentage of these cars are actually being take off-road?’.
“What is the best customer use for that?
“We have options, we might even do both but at this stage we haven’t made a decision.
“We’ve got to think about that, whether it makes sense to run two. But we’ve not been backed into one corner or the other at this stage.”
