Watch out Ford Ranger and Toyota LandCruiser! New 2025 GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 are coming with amazing fuel use figures

GWM is preparing to introduce two new plug-in hybrid models to take on some of the most popular names in the Australian car market.

Plug-in hybrid equipped versions of the GWM Cannon Alpha ute and Tank 500 SUV are likely to go on sale in Australia by the middle of 2025, taking on the likes of the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota LandCruiser.

Examples of both models are already in Australia for local evaluation and CarsGuide was one of the media outlets invited to sample the cars in a brief drive recently. Both the ute and SUV sit on GWM’s plug-in hybrid architecture, known as the Hi4T platform (which stands for hybrid intelligence ‘Hi’, ‘4’ for four-wheel drive and ‘T’ for ‘Tank’ - the brand’s large vehicles).

As such, both the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 PHEV are powered by the same petrol-electric set-up, featuring a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with two electric motors. The combination makes a healthy 300kW and 750Nm, which is enough to provide them with a 3500kg towing capacity.

The electric motors are powered by a 37.1kWh Ternary lithium battery pack that sits at the rear of the chassis. The positioning on the battery, effectively underneath the floor where the third row seats would be, means the Tank 500 is only available as a five-seater.

Despite the size and performance, GWM claims the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 return fuel consumption figures of just 2.06L/100km.

While the Chinese brand has stopped short of officially confirming both models, GWM Australia’s head of marketing and communications, Steve Maciver, made it clear the pair are highly likely to join the local line-up. 

“You know, there's a good strong possibility you're going to see a plug-in Alpha and Tank 500 plug-in for the middle of next year,” he told CarsGuide. “So I'd say we're looking at that seriously. We are taking feedback, you know, from yourselves, from our dealers. We're working on the business case and the pricing, which is key. 

“But I think as much as they're not 100 per cent locked in yet, there's a very good chance that we'll see them.”

Price would appear to be the final stumbling block, with Maciver admitting the PHEV powertrain could add anywhere from $6000 to $15,000 to the price of both models. The current Cannon Alpha hybrid is priced from $64,990 and the Tank 500 range consists of the $66,490 Lux and the $73,990 Ultra models. 

While obviously price sensitive, Maciver believes the key selling point for these new offerings is the ability to offer cheaper daily commuting without compromising off-road potential. The Cannon Alpha has a 29.5 degree approach angle, 22 degree breakover angle and 24 degree departure angle and can wade up to 800mm. Both PHEVs also feature vehicle-to-load capability, which would allow owners to draw electricity to power items if they went camping, or similar situations.

“I think that the key advantage of a plug-in hybrid, of course, is fuel efficiency,” Maciver said. “The larger the segment, the larger the car, quite often the more important fuel economy comes 'cause the cars are generally thirstier 'cause the size and weight and everything. Now our Hi4T plug-in hybrid system is a little bit different in that yes, we've got pure EV range, which at this stage is wider and larger than most of our competitors, so that's a key advantage.

“And when you think about the average commute distance from the [typical] Australian consumer living in a metro city, it's about 35 to 40 kays a day. So if you've got one of these cars,  you in theory can do your commute to work and back using absolutely no fuel and doing it purely on EV mode. Equally, if you're the type of person who has been traditionally a large four-wheel-drive buyer or even a large ute buyer and you like off-roading, you've got the opportunity to do a lot of that in pure EV mode as well and save fuel.

“So the market's changing,” he added. “I think one of the reasons that plug-in hybrids and EV take up thus far has been relatively slow is because there has not been a number of compelling options there for consumers, just in terms of the pure number of vehicles out there for customers to choose from, but then also price as well.”

GWM also revealed that the Cannon Alpha XSR model line, which features a unique suspension set-up and a more rugged style package is also under consideration for local sale.