GWM's Tank brand locked in for Australia! Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Jeep Wrangler rivals on the cards, with hybrid versions also confirmed

Australia’s off-road fans are about to get a whole lot more choice with news that another 4x4 brand will hit the market in 2022.

Great Wall Motors (GWM) Tank sub brand has been confirmed to launch in Australia next year, alongside GWM’s Ora electric vehicle brand.

The confirmation came from GWM’s Chinese parent company in a release, although it did not specify which models would be offered.

The company did, however, say that both “fuel and hybrid” versions of the Tank series will be made available in Australia.

GWM Australia said it was not in a position to discuss plans as it was still working through them with head office.

As CarsGuide has reported, GWM trademarked the Tank brand in Australia in November this year.

While it’s yet to be confirmed, the likely contenders for the Tank range in Australia are the 300 and 500 SUVs.

The 300 is a medium SUV built on the same body-on-frame platform as the GWM Ute and uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine delivering 167kW/387Nm driving all four wheels. A diesel engine is also believed to be in the works.

The 300 is a direct competitor for the Jeep Wrangler and the not-for-Australia Ford Bronco.

Another Tank model that will almost certainly be offered her is the larger, more luxurious 500 SUV.

The 500 looks set to be the hybrid offering GWM referenced in the release. As well as a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 producing 260kW/500Nm, the 500 is also available in China with a 180kW/380Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid unit.

It’s expected the 500 will compete with the likes of the Toyota Prado, Isuzu MU-X, the forthcoming next-generation Ford Everest and other off-road capable large SUVs.

The 500 will fill a gap in GWM’s line-up left by the recently discontinued Haval H9 off-roader.

Production has ended for the ageing and slow-selling H9 and remaining stock is expected to be snapped up before the end of 2022.

Another model that’s expected to be added to GWM’s roster is the Haval Big Dog. Based on the more traditionally designed Haval H6, the Big Dog has squared-off butch styling.

It lacks the off-road chops of models like the Wrangler and the like, but has some capability. The Big Dog is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering 155kW/325Nm to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.