New V6-powered brute ute revealed: 2026 GWM Cannon short wheelbase ute breaks cover in China as a cool alternative to the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok

Chinese car brands aren’t just content to dominate the electric car game, they are coming for our favourite dual-cabs, too.

Big name brands such as BYD, Chery and GWM are churning out new utes faster than the established brands can release a mild update.

The latest example is the short-wheelbase two-seat GWM Cannon, which was revealed at the Chengdu motor show over the weekend.

It takes the current Cannon ute and turns it into a short-wheelbase single-cab pick-up.

The wheelbase — the distance between front and rear axles — measure 2745mm, which is about half a metre shorter than the dual-cab version.

This gives the ute stubby proportions that are reminiscent of short-wheelbase versions of tough 4WDs such as the Land Rover Defender and Jeep Wrangler.

This means it creeps in at under 5000mm long, which is about 30cm shorter than conventional mid-size dual-cab utes.

Despite its mini dimensions it still has a full-size tray, which makes it perfect for city tradies with a small crew.

It’s built on the same platform as the Tank 300, according to GWM's Chinese website.

Power comes from a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol engine making 260kW and 500Nm, matched to a nine-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.

There is high and low gearing, front and rear electronic locking differentials, creep mode, tank turning and driving modes for different surfaces such as snow, sand and mud.

It has 240mm of ground clearance and approach and departure angles of 33 degrees and 22 degrees, respectively.

There is also a surround-view camera and an invisible chassis view, which allows drivers to see all around and underneath the vehicle while traversing difficult terrain.

In China it costs the equivalent of about $50,000. History tells us cars usually cost about 20 per cent more in Australia than their Chinese equivalents, which translate to about $60,000.

There is no word on if GWM will bring the pocket pick-up Down Under.