What may be China's toughest 4WD is on the way, a "super off-road" model from GWM promising to skip hybrid tech for a bespoke chassis and upgraded suspension.
GWM has announced plans for a "military-grade" four-wheel-drive set to eschew hybrid technology for a bespoke chassis and hardcore suspension designed to go further than any Tank or Cannon model before it.
Due to be previewed in 2026, a description of the vehicle given to global media points to something in the vein of a Mercedes-Benz G-Class 4x4², with portal axles and off-road capability not matched by regular SUVs.
A presentation to media and GWM dealers in Melbourne last week included a graphic ranking the off-road capabilities of the company's 'Hi4' plug-in hybrid models, topped by a mystery 'Super Off-Road' vehicle with the caption "please stay tuned".
"Think military-grade vehicles, built for the harshest and toughest environments," GWM chief engineer of hybrid systems, Richard Zhu, told the audience.
Despite its inclusion in a presentation on hybrids, the new off-roader won't use any form of electrification.
"It's even higher [in off-road ability compared to existing models], but I don't think that is a plug-in hybrid," GWM chief technology officer Nicole Wu told a media conference hours later.
"It would be only a pure internal combustion engine. And it's not only about the powertrain, it's about the chassis. We need to restructure the whole chassis, the frame, the suspension.
"I think the main use is to climb mountains, to climb stones. Yeah, it's still under development; hopefully, we can have some models next year."
Wu would not be drawn on whether the 'super off-road' model would be sold under GWM's Tank brand for rugged four-wheel-drives.
"I think, from the technological perspective, it's even higher than Hi4-T. I don't think there will be a big, large volume model. We would have to plan it," Wu said.
Hi4-T is the name for GWM's most off-road-capable plug-in hybrid technology, which sandwiches an electric motor between the engine and gearbox of a traditional four-wheel-drive powertrain, retaining differential locks and a low-range transfer case.
It compares to Hi4-Z, where dual electric motors – one on each axle – deliver four-wheel drive, and the petrol engine can only directly drive the front wheels when full power is needed, or the battery runs low, akin to a BYD Shark 6.
GWM's soon-to-be-flagship engine, an upcoming 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8, has been developed with plug-in hybrid power in mind.
Its most powerful petrol engine available without plug-in technology is a 260kW/500Nm 3.0-litre single-turbo V6 used in the Tank 500 SUV and Cannon Alpha ute overseas.
It is also developing a new 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel for these vehicles, but power and torque outputs are yet to be revealed.
While a hardcore off-roader would suit showrooms Down Under, GWM Australia and New Zealand chief operating officer John Kett dampened suggestions it could be sold here.
"We want everything," he joked, when asked if the 'super off-road' model is wanted in Australia, "I think the future portfolio for us is going to be balanced with our NVES [emissions rules] capability."
Wu added: "Just let us know at the earliest [opportunity so we can] prepare for right-hand drive."
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
