Cut-price Toyota Prado punisher to get diesel power: 2025 GWM Tank 300 diesel, plug-in hybrid versions of Tank 500, Cannon Alpha, Haval H6 and more head to Australia according to leaked details

GWM and its Haval SUV sub-brand are on a product offensive.

The Chinese brand launched Australia's first hybrid ute earlier this year and is now looking to shore up its local range with more models. Leaked details suggest the Prado-rivalling GWM Tank 300 off-roader will score a diesel engine. 

Although it is not confirmed, it’s likely the Tank 300 would adopt the Cannon Alpha’s 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder producing 135kW and 480Nm to join the 162kW/380Nm turbo-petrol and punchy hybrid (255kW).

GWM Australia did not respond to request for comment, however CarsGuide understands if a diesel version of the Tank 300 is coming to Australia, it is likely to do so early next year, though a formal announcement is yet to be made. Expect pricing close to the current petrol model’s $46,990 (Lux) to $55,990 (Ultra Hybrid) drive-away.  

Other models are mentioned in the leak, shared to the GWM Tank 300 Owners Australia Facebook group, including plug-in hybrid versions of the Haval H6 GT, GWM Tank 500 SUV and Cannon Alpha ute. 

The two frame-based models, the Tank 500 and Alpha ute, are likely to use GWM’s ‘Hi4T’ 2.0-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid announced at April’s Beijing motor show. 

GWM’s Hi4T system combines a turbo petrol engine with an electric motor for 300kW and 750Nm outputs and over 100km of electric-only driving range, according to the brand. 

More similar to systems from Volkswagen and BMW than a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, GWM’s uses a nine-speed torque converter transmission. This will allow the Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha to offer a true four-wheel drive system as they do now. 

As for the H6, a facelifted version of the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage rival is due at the end of the year. A plug-in hybrid powertrain was added in China, with a smaller 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and ‘dedicated hybrid transmission’ for 240kW and 530Nm. 

There are two battery options, the larger 19.9kWh pack delivering 86km of electric-only driving range in China’s lenient CLTC. Thus far, a plug-in hybrid version of the coupe-styled H6 GT is yet to be revealed — the Facebook post mentions an even bigger 35.4kWh battery.

The main goal is for the brand to slide under Australia’s impending New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES) limits due to come into force next year. It is currently Australia’s second-biggest hybrid seller, after Toyota, with 7069 sales this year. 

For the H6 medium SUV, its hybrid share is 50 per cent while the smaller Jolion is at 35 per cent and climbing. However, with the larger Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 hybrid’s quite high fuel consumption figures (9.8L/100km and 8.5L/100km, respectively), there needs to be improvement if the brand’s to avoid fines come 2027. 

GWM has not confirmed any of these models for launch in Australia but, along with the diesel version of the tank, CarsGuide understands the brand is looking to diversify its portfolio with more efficient powertrains.