Tank 300 specs are eventually released

DETAILS for the long-awaited GWM Tank 300 line-up have been released, with an official market introduction surely just around the corner.

The line-up will comprise three derivatives at launch: the 2.0T 8AT 4x4 Super Luxury, the 2.0T 8AT 4x4 Ultra Luxury and the 2.0T HEV 9HAT 4x4 Super Luxury.

The standard turbo-charged 2.0 litre, four-cylinder petrol engine makes 167kW and 387Nm, with those outputs delivered to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.

Combined fuel consumption is listed by GWM as being 9.5 litres/100km.

The hybrid model is based on a similarly sized four-cylinder engine but churns out total system outputs of 255kW and 648Nm (gaining some extra twisting force compared with the originally supplied figures).

It switches to a nine-speed automatic transmission, while its claimed fuel economy is somewhat lower, at 8.4 litres/100km.

No sign of a turbo-diesel option in the Tank 300 line-up.

Regardless of the selected powertrain, braked towing capacity comes in at 2 500kg, while ground clearance is listed as 200mm.

The base model rides on 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/60 R17 tyres, while the Ultra Luxury and HEV upgrade to 18 inches shod in 265/60 R18 rubber.

All models come with a full-size spare (alloy) wheel affixed to the tailgate.

The luggage compartment can handle a claimed 400 litres, a figure that’s expandable to 1 635 litres with the 60:40-split rear bench dropped down.

While a rear differential lock (with crawl control and a chassis-view camera) is standard across the range, the Tank 300 2.0T 8AT 4x4 Ultra Luxury adds a front diff lock to the equation.

Other features that are standard for all three derivatives include keyless entry, a sunroof, dual-zone air conditioning, a tow bar, privacy glass, leather trim for the steering wheel, gear-shift paddles, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), a 360-degree camera system, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, automatic headlights (with an auto high-beam function) and adaptive cruise control.

GWM/Haval says the safety kit includes seven airbags, stability control, automatic emergency braking, front collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assistant, lane central keeping, hillassist control, hill-descent control and tyre pressure monitoring, among others.

The Ultra Luxury trim level is set apart by items such as an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, a heated steering wheel, 64-colour ambient cabin lighting (as opposed to seven hues in the Super Luxury derivatives), Nappa leather seats (rather than the standard leather used in the other variants), heated/ventilated front seats and a driver’s seat massage function.

All derivatives ship with a sevenyear/200 000km warranty (and sevenyear/unlimited kilometre roadside assistance), with the hybrid variant’s battery pack further covered by an eightyear/150 000km warranty.

A five-year/75 000km service plan (with intervals of 15 000km) is also included.

GWM/Haval South Africa has yet to announce pricing for this unique offroad-focused luxury SUV.