DIRT WARRIOR
Budget brand throws down the gauntlet with cut-price hybrid four-wheel-drive
Off-road enthusiasts will soon be able to switch to hybrid power, thanks to Chinese brand Great Wall Motors. The upstart car maker has trumped Toyota by developing a petrol-electric version of its tough new Tank off-roader.
Toyota may be the undisputed hybrid sales leader but it hasn’t been able to produce a petrol-electric version of its Landcruiser, Prado and Hilux four-wheel drives. It argues that off-roading presents unique challenges for hybrids. But GWM has managed to overcome the hurdles with an offroader that aims to capitalise on Australia’s growing appetite for hybrid power. More than 70,000 hybrids were sold last year, the vast majority of them Toyotas.
The Tank 300 looks good in the metal. It has shades of an old-school Jeep with its chunky, boxy proportions, hulking front and rear guards and bulging wheel arches. It’s priced to sell as well. The two model line-up starts at $55,990 drive-away for the Tank 300 Lux, rising to $60,990 for the fully-loaded Ultra.
Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor that combine for a hefty 258kw of power and 615Nm of torque. A nine-speed automatic and four-wheel drive get that power to the ground.
That’s the good news. The bad news is the Tank, which is smaller than a Prado, uses 10.3L/100km, which makes it thirstier than a Landcruiser. Great Wall says it is looking to have the vehicle’s fuel use re-tested.
Generous approach and departure angles put it on par with hardcore 4WDS such as the Jeep Wrangler. Ground clearance is 224mm, which falls short of its most off-road focused rivals.
A standard locking rear differential, underbody protection and multiple driving modes for different road surfaces add to its offroad pedigree.
A generous seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty gives buyers peace of mind, although Great Wall Motors is yet to settle on prices for its capped price servicing program.
The Tank has a long list of standard equipment. The Lux model starts with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting front and back, a sunroof and roof rails. Inside passengers are greeted by dual 12.3-inch displays, one for the infotainment and the other for driving information. Apple Carplay, Android Auto, digital radio and a nine-speaker audio system provide the entertainment, while faux-leather seats have power adjustment for the driver.
Safety gear includes seven airbags, auto emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and a bird’s eye parking camera. The Tank will also hit the brakes if it senses a car approaching from the side when you’re backing out of a driveway or shopping centre carpark.
The Ultra model ups the ante both inside and on the rough stuff. It comes with 18-inch alloys wheels, supple Nappa leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel. There are 64 shades of ambient lighting and a wireless charger for smartphones.
The cabin is well appointed with plush seats and plenty of soft-touch materials mixed in with some tough, hard wearing plastic surfaces below eye level. There is ample leg and head room in the second row, although the rear load area is smallish.
A front locking differential and increased underbody protection add to its off-road ability.
We had the chance to sample the Tank 300 at the Anglesea Automotive Proving Ground in
Victoria where we put it through its paces on a gruelling off-road track. The Tank 300 Hybrid made light work of mud ruts and a 600mm water crossing. Moguls and rocky roads provided no obstacle as the Tank hopped and bobbed over the uneven surfaces. It made light work of steep inclines in standard four-wheel drive mode, while flicking it into low-range gears added to its ability. Hill descent mode worked well on steep declines, preventing the car from building too much speed.
The petrol and electric motor work seamlessly to deliver strong levels of torque at low revs, which is ideal for off-road work, particularly climbing.
The transmission is generally well sorted. Unfortunately we didn’t get to sample the Tank on paved roads, where that off-road ability could translate to a less than serene highway driving experience. We’ll reserve our verdict until we’ve done a full test.