At the outset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many commentators were quick to predict the end of the military tank.
With China developing remote and autonomous armoured military vehicles, tanks could be quite different in the future, but nothing else matches them for firepower, mobility, and survivability on the modern battlefield.
But the Peoples Republic, not Russia or the US, possesses the world’s biggest military tank force—a whopping 6900 of them!
China’s Great Wall Motor Co is also claiming mobility and survivability on another battleground – a quest to win a much bigger carve up of the mid-size luxury SUV market armed with, yes, a Tank.
GWM, named, naturally, after the 21,200 km Great Wall of China, has rolled out six Tank models in four versions – business, sports, customised and the black warrior. We are concentrating here on this year’s Tank Lux and Tank Ultra Hybrid priced in Australia respectively at $66,490 and $73,990 drive away. Weighed down with equipment, the Tank 500 offers a combination of pricing and gear that will be incredibly appealing to SUV aficionados in the showroom.
Both are full-size seven-seaters on a 4×4 ladder-frame wagon separated almost entirely by equipment rather than technical features.
Based on its 5-metre length, three-row seating and off-road aspirations, the 500 is a competitor for the Toyota Prado, which dominates the segment and is soon to go through a generational change. Other ladder-frame rivals include the Ford Everest, the Isuzu MU-X and the far more expensive Toyota LandCruiser, a competitor given the Tank is actually a fraction bigger.
The Tank 500 is based on a body-on-frame chassis, locking front and rear differentials and impressive off-road capability including a 223.5 mm ground clearance, 800.1 mm wading depth, and a 29.6 deg. approach angle
The Ultra’s powertrain starts with a 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine backed by an electric motor in the bellhousing, which, combined, put out a claimed 255 kW and a hefty 642 Nm. Behind the engine and motor is a nine-speed automatic transmission, on-demand, dual range transfer case, and front, centre and rear locking differentials.
The vehicle features a fully digital dashboard with a 12.3-in, screen for the driver and is available in two trim levels.
With seating for seven and an array of creature comforts including heated and cooled Nappa leather seats, the Tank 500 redefines luxury 7-seater off-road exploration, boasting a 3000 kg towing capacity and an impressive suite of tech features such as auto parking and electronic side steps – that elegantly slide as the vehicle’s doors are opened.
As the flagship, the Ultra externally comes with heaps of chrome, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails and 18-in, alloy wheels. A full-size spare tyre is fitted under a cover on the side opening tailgate, very much like the 150 Series Prado.
The Ultra is accessed by smart key and has push-button start, All seats include power adjustment (eight-way driver, six-way passenger), heating, ventilation and massage up front. The second-row seats have ventilation and window shades, and the third-row seats are power-folding.
Tri-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, 64-colour ambient lighting, double-layer laminated windows and rear privacy glass are also standard.
The Ultra has a large 80-litre fuel tank, theoretically allowing for a 940 km cruising range.
The final word on the Tanks from GWM Australia marketing chief Steve Maciver:
“In terms of positioning, value for money and capability, very little can compete with them.”
“Tank 300 proved very successful, and we think the Tank 500 will continue this momentum. It will bring the GWM Tank brand to the next level because it represents significant value and brings something unique to the market.”
In China, a 3-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 (265kW/500Nm) and a 2.4-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder (135kW/480Nm) are available, but neither have been confirmed for Australia.
