GWM Tank 700 News

The Tank 700 appears to have the green light for Australia.That’s the good news. So is the fact that it will offer GWM's vaunted new twin-turbo V8, as well as a long-wheelbase model with three-row/seven-seater capability, making it more family-friendly practicality.The bad news is that the Toyota LandCruiser, Mercedes G-Wagen-like hybrid off-road SUV is still up to two years away from launching here, despite the debuted of a facelifted version at last month’s China Auto Show in Beijing.According to GWM Australia Public Relations Manager Justin Stefani the company will hold out for the next redesign that is due to surface in its home market later next year or in 2028.“There is no timing confirmed,” he said.“It aligns with what (GWM International Vice President, James Wang) said… that, from an engineering perspective, we would look to potentially bring the 700 into Australia on the back of a new iteration.“Because the 700 is quite an old vehicle, it’s been around for a while, so if you think about chronologically, (this just facelifted) 700 comes out, new V8 powertrain comes out, and we’d be silly to put a car in for 12 months that’s aged and then have to update it.“We’d probably wait until the next-generation is out, and then look to how that business case works.“We’d probably say 18 to 24 months off.”So, how actually old is the 700? Using a variation of the platform found in the Tank 500 SUV and Cannon Alpha ute, this large, design-driven body-on-frame 4x4 five-seater wagon arrived in China in early 2024.As part of the mid-cycle update, the MY26 facelift includes a revised front-end design, new trims and updates to what’s under the bonnet.This includes the implementation of that highly-anticipated 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine, to be made available with electrification. Details are to be divulged at a later time, as it has yet to hit the roads in China.Which means, for now at least, the 700 headline is the new 3.0-litre twin-turbo internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol V6s.First up is the 260kW/560Nm non-electrified unit, driving all for wheels via a nine-speed torque-converter auto developed in-house at GWM and shared with the China-market Cannon Alpha and Tank 500. It’s good for 0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds, 190km/h or 12.5 litres per 100km.Next up is the Hi4-T plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version, adding an electric motor to up the V6’s combined power, combined torque and acceleration numbers to 385kW, 800Nm and 8.3s, while a 37.1kWh battery pack allows for under 100km of pure-EV range. This one prioritises off-road 4x4 prowess.Finally comes the all-new, GWM-first Hi4-Z PHEV application, removing the centre differential but adding an electric motor and 59kWh battery out the back, for a WLTC (China)-claimed 190km range, as well as a 720kW and 1375Nm combined-bump in outputs, shaving 0.6s off the 0-100km/h time. This is more on-road focused, boosting efficiency significantly.Note the latter’s additional electrification tech significantly cuts into the 700’s braked towing capacity, dropping from 3500kg to 2500kg.Plus, cargo capacity suffers as well, from the ICE’s 490 litres to 392L (Hi4-T) and just 180L (Hi4-Z), followed by corresponding drops when the rear seatbacks are folded down, from 1601L to the Z’s 1025L.Maybe that’s why GWM Australia has elected to wait for the next-gen model, which may have better electrification packaging so as to not compromise practicality.With the latest electrified V6 and V8 petrol choices, combined with upgraded diesel options and the Australian Tune 1 steering and suspension upgrades by ex-Holden dynamics engineer Rob Trubiani, the 2028 700 is shaping up to be an intriguing premium off-road SUV indeed.

GWM’s halo Tank model, the 700, has been updated and relaunched in China, with pricing revealed and a new version of the brand’s hybrid system debuting.The 2026 GWM Tank 700 Hi4-Z launched at a price equivalent to A$92,000 for the large SUV, joining a more expensive Tank 700 Hi4-Z variant and a top-of-the-range Hi4-T variant.The new hybrid system is more simple but allows for more battery space, a 59kWh battery granting a claimed 190km range under comparatively realistic WLTP testing, while the Hi4-T variant (at equivalent to A$108,800) manages only a claimed 90km.The key difference between drivetrains is the Hi4-T features a mechanical link between the engine and rear wheels, making it more suitable for off-roading. It is the same system used in the GWM Cannon Alpha sold in Australia.The Hi4-Z system doesn’t have the mechanical link, instead featuring an independent rear electric motor, more similar to the Denza B5. The Hi4-T is still powered by a 3.0-litre V6 in the Tank 700 for almost 400kW, while the 2.0-litre turbo and electric motors in the Hi4-Z total more than 600kW according to reports from CarNewsChina. GWM's punchy V6 petrol engine is yet to be made available in Australia.Power aside, the Hi4-T system retains its ability to tow a claimed 3500kg braked, while the new Hi4-Z system is down to 2500kg.This may not prove relevant to the Australian market, however, though CarsGuide understands GWM has previously shown interest in getting the Tank 700 to Australia.When asked for the brand’s current position on the Tank 700, a spokesperson told CarsGuide it’s under consideration, but couldn’t confirm plans.“For the ANZ market, we are not currently in a position to share further detail on future plans for this vehicle, with our product team continuing to assess its potential fit within the broader local portfolio,” a GWM spokesperson told CarsGuide.

After an extended teaser campaign, GWM has fully detailed its Tank 700 Hi4-Z off-roader in its Chinese home market.The new version of GWM’s aggressively styled off-roader is notable for its new hybrid system, which is distinct from the Hi4-T system previously sold on existing versions of the Tank 700. A 2.0-litre turbo-petrol version of it is currently used by GWM in the Cannon Alpha in Australia. The Hi4-T system has an electric motor in the gearbox, and sends drive to the wheels via traditional mechanical links, theoretically maintaining hardcore off-road capability but limiting the available space for a battery.Instead, the new Hi4-Z system used in the new Tank 700 is closer in its design to BYD’s plug-in hybrid system used on the Denza B5, in that it replaces a mechanical link to the rear axle with an independent rear electric motor, using the space between the frame rails for a larger battery.As a result, the Tank 700 Hi4-Z has a massive 59kWh battery pack, which grants it a WLTC-rated electric driving range of 190km. This is boosted by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine providing 185kW, maintaining a mechanical connection only to the front wheels.Interestingly, the new Tank 700 also scores an overhauled interior compared to the Hi4-T V6 version, featuring a larger multimedia screen, a new two-tone colour scheme and a redesigned centre console with fresh toggle-style switchgear, sinking cupholder designs and more buttons than before.It also features a drop-down entertainment screen for rear passengers, and aggressive new styling highlights, like a (fake) bonnet scoop and a rear spoiler. In China the 700 Hi4-Z is also available in a new array of colour schemes and features a LiDAR housing on top of its windscreen.While this new 2.0-litre turbocharged Hi4-Z option adds yet another appealing feature to the Tank 700 range, GWM’s Australian division has hinted in the past that it is more likely our market will receive the next-generation version of the Tank 700.This is because the versions which exist now don’t quite have the right features the brand is looking for in its Australian range. CarsGuide understands the 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo Hi4-T version won’t be made available in a right-hand-drive configuration, and this Hi4-Z version isn’t as sought after by the Australian division due to its compromised towing and off-road capabilities.The Hi4-Z version is only capable of towing 2500kg, while the Cannon Alpha Hi4-T already sold here is certified to tow up to the industry standard 3500kg.Regardless, GWM’s Australian division has shown interest in bringing the Tank 700 in as a range-topping offering at some point in the future, importing left-hand-drive examples to be tested locally in 2025, and hinting that a future version could be offered with the brand’s upcoming 4.0-litre V8 in a plug-in hybrid set-up.However, the brand has also warned it wouldn’t be a bargain offering either, estimating starting prices well in excess of $100,000.At 5105mm long, 2061mm wide and 1985mm tall, the chunky modern-military-style 4x4 is more Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series or Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen rival than the sub-five-metre Denza B5 and Toyota Prado.The Tank 700 Hi4-Z is part of a new model blitz by GWM as it continues to fight for market share in China and across the world. The brand has also recently unveiled plans to build its Ora 5 electric crossover in both right-hand-drive and in hybrid form, and has also recently unveiled its Wey V9X luxury flagship SUV.Locally, the brand has plans to expand on its offering of Ora models to better compete in the EV space, as well as launch the Wey brand in the second half of 2026.Stay tuned for more on GWM’s local plans as the brand aims to hold its hard-fought top-ten position in Australia this year, against an aggressive BYD and Chery.