Plug-in hybrid power is slated for GWM's first Tank-badged off-roader in Australia, with as much power as a V8 Holden Commodore.
The 2026 GWM Tank 300 is set to follow in the tyre tracks of the larger Tank 500 in rolling out a plug-in hybrid option in Australia.
It may coincide with the Australian introduction of a facelifted Tank 300 range launched in China earlier this year with mild exterior styling changes and a reworked interior.
GWM Australia is yet to confirm plans for the Tank 300 PHEV, but Drive understands it may be just months away, due in the early part of next year.
Two examples of the updated Tank 300 plug-in hybrid were shipped to Australia for a GWM dealer and media event in Melbourne this week, strongly suggesting a showroom debut.
Prices are yet to be announced. Given the Tank 500 PHEV costs $6000 more than an equivalent plug-less hybrid, a Tank 300 Ultra PHEV could start from $66,990 drive-away locally.
It uses the same Hi4-T plug-in hybrid system as the larger Tank 500 SUV and Cannon Alpha ute, combining a 180kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine with a 120kW/400Nm electric motor.
System outputs are rated at 300kW and 750Nm, for a claimed zero to 100km/h acceleration time of 6.7 seconds.
The same 37.1kWh battery pack as its siblings is rated for 105km of electric-only driving range in the Tank 300, according to WLTC lab testing.
Fuel consumption based on the same test cycles is rated at 2.06 litres per 100 kilometres with a charged battery, or 8.8L/100km on a depleted one.
It compares to consumption claims of 8.5L/100km for the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel, and 9.86L/100km for the 2.0-litre non-hybrid turbo-petrol, under the same testing standards.
Recent changes to the Tank 300 in China (below, and top of story) have added a larger 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen running new Coffee OS 3.0 software, up from a 12.3-inch display in the current model in Australia.
It has also gained a new D-shaped, two-spoke steering wheel, a revised centre console with dual 50-watt wireless phone chargers, restyled switches for key functions, reshaped air vents, a new while interior colour option, and more.
Exterior changes are minor, including a tweaked front bumper design, new Desert Taupe exterior paint colour, and available body-coloured wheel arches.
There is no guarantee these changes will come to Australia, as the Hi4-T powertrain was recently introduced in Latin America without the new interior – despite being left-hand drive like China.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
