China’s GWM is doubling down on diesel power as other brands back away, announcing a new, more powerful engine for its biggest cars.
A more powerful 3.0-litre diesel engine has been confirmed for the GWM Cannon Alpha ute – and the first-ever diesel Tank 500 SUV – in the next two years.
It will be a four-cylinder – not a V6 or inline-six – and while it will beat the 135kW/480Nm of the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel in today’s Cannon Alpha, it remains to be seen if it can get close to the 184kW of a Ford Ranger V6.
GWM is doubling down on diesel engines, as other brands move away from the technology, particularly in Europe where emissions rules are becoming more stringent.
The 3.0-litre engine is said to be a new-generation unit, and is due in showrooms in 2027.
GWM Australia managing director Charles Zhao told media “we’ll consider that [engine] in Cannon Alpha, but not the current [smaller] Cannon.”
The standard-sized Cannon (formerly GWM Ute) just passed the mid-way point of its life cycle, when it gained the 2.4-litre diesel engine, so the fitment of the 3.0-litre would need to wait until the next generation expected later this decade.
Zhao suggested it is also bound for the Tank 500, as well as the Tank 700, a larger flagship off-road SUV sold by GWM in its home market, which is increasingly likely to be introduced in Australia.
“I think we also have some products [we will] wait [before] launching in Australia because some powertrain, especially the high-end SUV, off-road SUV you need the high torque,” GWM’s boss of right-hand-drive markets, James Yang, told media.
“In China or other markets we have 2.4-litre diesel. Especially in Thailand for the customer, the driving experience is OK, but I think in Australia we need high torque, the big engine.
“So [for] some products we will wait [for] this engine to launch [before introducing them] in Australia.
Outputs for the engine are yet to be revealed.
GWM’s latest 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine has a 20 per cent larger displacement than its existing 2.0-litre, but 12.5 per cent more power, and 20 per cent more torque (135kW/480Nm vs 120kW/400Nm).
It suggests the new engine could have as much as 169kW and 600Nm, which would make it the most powerful four-cylinder in the ute class – currently the 165kW/550Nm Toyota HiLux GR Sport, and close to a Ford Ranger’s 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre diesel V6.
Isuzu and its partner Mazda are the only brands currently offering a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder ute in Australia, with outputs of only 140kW and 450Nm.
Plans to add a diesel engine to the Tank 500 contrast comments made by GWM Australia executives at the 4WD's local launch 12 months ago, that the existing 2.0-litre turbo-petrol hybrid powertrain would suffice.
Yang said the company has continued its interest in diesel because: “The fuel consumption is good, and also [in] some scenarios such as the towing capability is much better, and the emissions policy I think in future is strong.
“So in the future I think the Australian market, [offering] the PHEV [plug-in hybrid] and the HEV [hybrid] plus diesel is a good choice for the customer.
“And these three, also we have the EV, but I think for some scenario the sales volume maybe can not be very high. These three types of powertrains, it's much better for this market, and also can balance the emissions.”
GWM Australia head of marketing and communications Steve Maciver said “we’ve talked a lot about developing diesel of late, when lots of brands are running away from it.
“… We're not looking to paint any of our customers into a corner in terms of powertrain choice.
“As we sit here today, we're very, very well equipped for that, but I think the choice that we have moving forward again allows customers to have choice.”
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
