The launch of the new GWM Tank 300 is inching ever closer, with the 4×4 set to make its South African debut before the end of 2023, the manufacturer confirmed all the way back in January.
This means the burly 300 is hitting local streets within the next three and a half months, while its larger sibling, the Tank 500, is “likely to follow early next year,” said Conrad Groenewald, Chief Operations Officer of Haval Motors South Africa.
Pre-orders for the Tank 300 are already open, and potential customers have a lot to look forward to with the “ORV” (off-road vehicle) promising high-tech equipment and “serious offroad credentials.”
Tank is the Chinese conglomerate Great Wall Motors’ (GWM) fourth brand to enter the South African market, the first being GWM in 2007, which rebranded to Haval in 2017 while keeping the GWM logo for the Steed and P-Series bakkies, and Ora in 2023 which is exclusively focused on electric vehicles.
What to expect
GWM has thus far given us a few hints as to what the new Tank 300 will offer, but it has yet to reveal the SUV’s entire spec sheet.
As such, we now know the South African models will feature a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol motor with a maximum output of 258kW and 615Nm, connected to an eight-speed automatic shifter which returns an average fuel spend of 9.3l/100km.
Drive is channeled to the surface via an electronically-controlled 4WD system which brings an “All-Terrain Control System” with five drive modes catering to various off-road and on-road scenarios, as well as the usual 2H, 4H, and 4L settings, and on the higher-spec models, also front and rear differential locks.
Furthermore, the Tank boasts a 360-degree imaging system specifically for assistance in traveling 4×4 tracks without damaging the bodywork, crawl control which functions similar to cruise control but at a much lower speed, as well as Tank Turn which “reduces the turning radius of the vehicle” through brake-based torque vectoring thereby allowing it to easily turn in narrow places, according to the manufacturer.
Its boxy body also assures an approach angle of 33 degrees, break-over angle of 23.1 degrees, and departure angle of 34 degrees, while the 224mm ground clearance assists in pushing up its maximum water wading depth to 700mm.
Inside the passenger compartment, the Tank strikes a balance between rugged and premium with a similarly squarish design language as the exterior accompanied by a generous helping of tech.
The front fascia incorporates aviation-inspired elements such as rounded aircon vents and a yoke-style gear lever, and the seats are wrapped in leather with contrasting needlework.
Other amenities include electric front seats, a 12.3-inch infotainment system and driver screen, keyless entry and start, and a Harman International Infinity sound system.
GWM also said the Tank is equipped with several driver-assist systems but did not say which ones are destined for the South African versions.
In Australia, it comes with seven airbags, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, front collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, and rear cross-traffic alert with emergency braking, and we anticipate a lot of these abilities to also show face on the local models.
When it goes on sale, the new GWM Tank 300 is expected to retail from a starting price of R685,900 all the way up to R851,900, said GWM earlier in 2023, though its official window sticker has not yet been announced.
GWM Tank 300
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