The GWM Tank 500 has officially launched in SA – offered exclusively in hybrid form and with 7 seats – as the Chinese firm’s first model priced on the far side of R1 million…
As we reported in our pricing scoop as early as 25 July 2024, the new GWM Tank 500’s arrival in South Africa pushes the Chinese firm into unchartered pricing waters – well past the R1-million mark.
The ladder-frame GWM Tank 500 is offered exclusively in petrol-hybrid form at launch, boasting total system outputs of 255 kW and 648 Nm , with a 9-speed automatic transmission and 4×4 (including as many as 11 driving modes) shipping standard. The claimed fuel economy comes in at 8.5 L/100 km .
This parallel hybrid powertrain is, of course, familiar from the flagship variants in both the Tank 300 and P-Series P500 portfolios, and combines a turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine (sipping from an 80-litre fuel tank) with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack.
So, how much will it cost you? Well, interestingly, there’s just a single derivative of the 7-seater SUV available at launch, in the form of the Tank 500 2.0T Ultra Luxury Hybrid 4×4 9AT. Offered at R1 222 900 , it becomes the first GWM model to be priced north of R1-million (with the top-spec version of the P500 coming in just under that mark ).
Despite the fact our initial information suggested 2 variants would be available (with the 2nd being the Tank 500 2.0T Super Luxury Hybrid 4×4 9AT, priced slightly lower at R1 122 900 ), the line-up is limited to a single derivative at launch. Still, perhaps the local range will expand at a later point.
Regardless, this pricing sees the Tank 500 going head to head with several established 7-seater SUVs, including the V6 turbodiesel versions of the Ford Everest (the Wildtrak for R1 180 200 and the Platinum for R1 240 600, though those prices are sans service plans) and even the base model in the J250-generation Toyota Land Cruiser Prado range (the 2.8GD TX, priced at R1 296 300).
For the record, the 3-row Tank 500 measures 5 078 mm from nose to tail, making it longer than both the Everest (4 940 mm) and Prado (4 925 mm) – and even lengthier than the Land Cruiser 300 (5 005 mm). However, we should keep in mind that GWM’s 7-seater SUV features a tailgate-mounted spare, which is seemingly included in this measurement.
The Tank 500 has a wheelbase of 2 850 mm, measures 1 934 mm wide and stands 1 905 mm tall. Ground clearance comes in at 224 mm, while the dual-powered SUV’s wading depth is 800 mm. The approach, breakover and departure angles are listed as 30, 22.5 and 24 degrees, respectively, while braked towing capacity is 2 500 kg. Luggage capacity comes in at 795 litres with the 3rd row of seats folded down (and a whopping 1 459 litres with the 2nd and 3rd rows both flat).
So, what about standard specifications for the South African market? Well, the extensive list of kit includes a 14.6-inch touchscreen and Nappa leather accents for the front seats, with the latter being both heated and ventilated, and furthermore featuring an 8-point massage function. Both front pews are electrically adjustable and boast memory settings, too.
Passengers in the 2nd row of the Tank 500 enjoy reclining seats, 2-way adjustable headrests, a dedicated climate-control system, seat cooling and charging points. Legroom in the middle row can be optimised by sliding the seats rearwards if the 3rd row (which can be deployed electronically and has its own roof-mounted vents) is unoccupied.
Other standard features for the Ultra Luxury grade include 20-inch alloy wheels, automatic side steps, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, a 12-speaker Infinity sound system, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera and automatic intelligent parking. Safety is covered by intelligent adaptive cruise control, rear collision warning, cross traffic alert, emergency lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning and a full complement of airbags (front, front side, curtain and front centre).
How much does the GWM Tank 500 cost in South Africa?
GWM Tank 500 2.0T Ultra Luxury Hybrid 4×4 9AT – R1 222 900
The Tank 500 features a 7-year/200 000 km warranty (plus 8-year/150 000 km coverage for the hybrid battery) and a 5-year/75 000 km service plan.
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