GWM has opted for real Toyota Prado-fighting off-road capability rather than ultimate on-road performance for Australia’s first mainstream plug-in hybrid 4×4 wagon, the Tank 500 PHEV.
As reported previously by Ev Authority, the choice between the petrol-electric Hi4-T and Hi4-Z systems for the ladder frame Tank 500 has been a big debate within the Chinese auto giant’s Australian office.
The new Hi4-Z system delivers near-supercar performance with its 635kW/1139Nm powertrain and 4.9 seconds 0-100km/h time as well as a longer range. Hi4-T is less powerful but more capable off-road.
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That means the Tank 500’s ability to go head-to-head with the stars of the large ladder frame SUV class, the Prado and Ford Everest, will be unaffected.
Neither of these two big diesels offer plug-in hybrid technology and potentially won’t for years. Luxury Land Rover Range Rover is the only off-road brand seriously committed to PHEV at the moment.
The Hi4-T system also aligns with the Tank 500’s closest relation, the Cannon Alpha PHEV, which means reduced back-end complexity when it comes to servicing, spare parts and so on.
Intriguingly, the arrival of the Cannon Alpha PHEV signalled the departure of the Cannon Alpha petrol-electric hybrid in Australia; that is likely partly due to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) that typically gives manufacturers bigger benefits for PHEVs over regular hybrids (the low claimed average consumption of PHEVs potentially provides more credits to allow manufacturers to continue selling other vehicles, such as diesel utes). There is no indication as yet that fate will befall the hybrid Tank 500.
Unlike the Cannon Alpha there is no diesel base engine in the Tank 500 range to provide a cheaper entry-level model if the hybrid does go. Also, the third row of seats standard in the hybrid are removed in the PHEV to make way for the high voltage battery pack.
Importantly, the braked towing capacity is unchanged compared to the hybrid at 3000kg.
GWM is yet to confirm pricing for the PHEV, but it charged 18 per cent more for the plug-in Cannon Alpha compared to the discontinued hybrid model.
That suggests pricing of almost $90,000 drive-away for a plug-in Tank 500 based on the flagship $75,990 drive-away Tank 500 Vanta hybrid. Based on the cheapest Lux hybrid, the entry point for the PHEV could be $75,000 drive-away.
But that’s all speculation. Pricing and full specification will be announced by GWM in October.
GWM claims a 6.9 seconds 0-100km/h time, a claimed 120km EV-only range and a 950km combined range (NEDC).
That’s delivered via a powertrain that combines 180kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, a 120kW/400Nm e-motor mounted between the engine and the nine-speed hybrid automatic transmission (9HAT) and a 37.11kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery pack.
The official fuel consumption claim is 2.1L/100km and emissions 47g CO2/km, although that is a highly theoretical figure that doesn’t really translate in the real world.
It is more powerful and also claimed to be more economical than the Tank 500 hybrid.
The Hi4T system is capable of DC fast charging at up to 50kW or 6.6kW AC. It has a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) system capable of discharging power at up to 6kW.
The off-road capability of the Tank 500 is retained with high- and low-range gearing and up to three differential locks. The system can run in 2hi or 4hi gearing on-road and there are a choice of 11 driving modes.
Ground clearance is 213mm, the approach angle is 30 degrees, breakover 22.5 degrees, departure 24 degrees, and it has a wading depth of 800mm
In terms of equipment, GWM tries to compensate for that by offering heated, ventilated, and massaging outer seat in the second row.
A dedicated rear-seat interface, accessible via a 7-inch touchscreen, allows passengers to control the radio, climate settings, ambient lighting, and seat comfort features.
The cabin also includes a high-resolution 14.6-inch colour multi-touch display featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, three-zone climate control, premium LED lighting, paddle shift, auto parking, and reversing assistance.
Four exterior colours and two interior trims will be offered.
Safety features include seven airbags, a suite of driver assistance systems led by autonomous emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree view monitor.
The Tank 500 Hi4-T will be covered a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, eight-year/unlimited-kilometre battery pack warranty, seven years of roadside assistance, and seven years of capped-price servicing
