GWM has filled in the blanks around its new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel Cannon Alpha and Tank 500, confirming New Zealand pricing and full specifications ahead of their arrival in September. The headline numbers remain 170kW and a substantial 620Nm, but it is the rest of the package that now makes things particularly interesting. The Cannon Alpha Vanta will land at $71,990 plus on-road costs, while the seven-seat Tank 500 Vanta will cost $79,990 plus on-road costs, putting two well-equipped, high-output diesel 4WDs into some very competitive territory.
The engine itself is an all-new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel rather than simply an enlarged version of GWM’s existing 2.4-litre unit. Peak torque is available from just 1400rpm through to 2400rpm, which should make the 620Nm figure considerably more useful than a big number delivered across a narrow part of the rev range. GWM says development has included shorter intake piping to reduce the distance the intake charge has to travel, a latest-generation Bosch common-rail injection system, an electronically controlled cooling fan and revised thermal management. Drive is sent through GWM’s own nine-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive system.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the claimed fuel consumption. GWM quotes 7.3L/100km for the Cannon Alpha and just 7.1L/100km for the Tank 500. Those are impressive figures considering the Alpha weighs 2550kg at the kerb and the Tank tips the scales at 2705kg, not to mention the performance available from the new engine. They are laboratory figures rather than a promise of what owners will achieve in real-world use, of course, and we'll be particularly interested to see what the new diesel does once loaded with people, accessories and touring gear. Still, if the real-world numbers get anywhere near those claims, GWM could have a very efficient big diesel 4WD package on its hands.
Built to work
For ute buyers, the Cannon Alpha's numbers are equally important. GVM is 3495kg, kerb weight is 2550kg and quoted payload is 945kg. GCM sits at 6555kg, while maximum braked towing capacity remains 3500kg with a maximum 350kg towball load. That puts some meaningful numbers behind the Alpha's positioning as more than simply a highly specified lifestyle ute, although, as with any vehicle, owners planning to tow at maximum capacity will still need to pay attention to payload, axle loads and their complete combination weight.
The Tank 500 receives one of the more significant upgrades. Its maximum braked towing capacity increases from 3000kg to 3500kg, with GWM also paying specific attention to towing integration during the vehicle's development. That work includes integrated trailer brake-controller functionality, the ability to use cruise control while towing and transmission calibration specifically optimised for heavy loads. The Tank carries a 3395kg GVM, 2705kg kerb weight and 690kg payload, with GCM rated at 6545kg. For buyers looking at the Tank as a tow vehicle rather than simply a large family SUV, the move to 3500kg is an important one.
Triple locked
Off-road hardware hasn't been forgotten either. Both vehicles feature front, centre and rear differential locks, along with low range and selectable terrain modes. Ground clearance is quoted at 222mm for the Cannon Alpha and 220mm for the Tank 500, while both have an 800mm claimed wading depth and 28.5-degree approach angle. The Alpha has a 23-degree departure angle and 19-degree breakover angle, while the shorter-wheelbase Tank improves those figures to 25 and 22 degrees respectively. On paper at least, there's considerably more going on here than fitting a large diesel engine and calling it a touring 4WD.
There is another small detail that will appeal to long-distance owners: neither diesel requires AdBlue. The Tank 500 Vanta also receives a huge 131-litre fuel tank, up from 78 litres. Divide that by the official 7.1L/100km consumption figure and the theoretical number is north of 1800km, although nobody should expect that under normal touring conditions. What matters more is that 131 litres of diesel straight from the factory gives the Tank genuine long-range potential without immediately turning to an aftermarket replacement or auxiliary tank.
Developed down our way
GWM is also putting considerable emphasis on the Australasian development behind the new powertrain. The programme has involved more than six months of local engineering and validation, covering ride and handling, engine and transmission calibration, towing performance and software. Early test vehicles accumulated more than 35,000 combined kilometres in less than two months, with development taking place in areas including the Flinders Ranges, Victoria's High Country and the Big Desert. That's relevant to New Zealand buyers because the company says ANZ is now one of its three most important strategic markets globally, with requirements from this part of the world increasingly feeding directly into vehicle development.
Both models also introduce GWM's Coffee OS infotainment platform, running through a new 14.6-inch 2K central display in place of the previous 12.3-inch screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, along with connected vehicle functionality and over-the-air software updates. The Vanta specification also brings plenty of the equipment GWM has become known for piling into its flagship models, including Nappa leather-accented upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, massage functionality, a head-up display and a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technology.
For 4WD buyers, however, the technology inside the cabin is probably secondary to what has happened underneath it. A 620Nm diesel, 3500kg towing capacity, proper low range, multiple locking differentials and, in the Tank's case, a 131-litre tank make for a specification sheet aimed squarely at the way many Australians and New Zealanders actually use their four-wheel drives. At the same time, GWM is entering the market with the Cannon Alpha Vanta at $71,990 and the Tank 500 Vanta at $79,990, meaning the established diesel players now have another serious competitor to contend with.
The new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 are expected to reach New Zealand GWM dealerships from mid-September, with pre-orders already open.
And while 170kW and 620Nm look good on paper, we're particularly keen to find out whether that claimed seven-point-something litres per hundred survives contact with New Zealand roads, a load of touring gear and a right foot. That's where this new diesel will really prove its point.
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