GWM has Toyota in its crosshairs with the newest addition to its four-wheel drive line-up, the Tank 500.
The bluff-nosed seven-seater is longer, if barely narrower than a LandCruiser, and is chasing the identical adventurous patrons.
With pricing ranging from $66,490 drive-away and a hybrid engine, it additionally has the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest on its hit listing.
As with its rivals, the Tank 500 rides on a rugged 4WD ladder-frame platform and has off-road {hardware} at its core, together with a full-size spare wheel on its swing-out tailgate. A seven-year guarantee provides peace of thoughts.
The Tank 500 is accessible in two fashions, beginning with the Lux, which has 18-inch alloys, imitation leather-based, a sunroof, heated entrance seats, powered driver’s seat, 360-degree digital camera, 12.3-inch digital driver show and a 14.6-inch central infotainment display with Android Auto and wi-fi Apple CarPlay.
The Extremely ($73,990 drive-away) provides a panoramic sunroof, retracting facet steps, head-up show, heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, noise cancelling, air flow and therapeutic massage features for the entrance seats and a 12-speaker Infinity sound system. There’s additionally Nappa leather-based.
It additionally has a stack of chrome, wood-look trim and high quality supplies designed to outshine the cabin atmosphere of a Toyota or Ford. It really works.
There’s no scarcity of area, both. Up entrance there’s a broad centre console with effectively laid out buttons, whereas one other choice of buttons beneath the infotainment display provides to the performance.
Curiously there’s no quantity adjustment; solely the motive force can change that from the steering wheel.
The eye to element flows additional again within the cabin.
The center row has nice head and knee area, the seats slide and fold, there are separate vents and controls and the Extremely has blinds on the again home windows. The third row is finest left to smaller adults, who will nonetheless discover legroom tight and knees greater.
Underneath the bonnet the Tank 500 forgoes a extra frequent diesel engine for a petroleum unit. The addition of a turbocharger and electrical motor makes up for the compact 2.0-litre capability and it delivers 255kW and 648Nm, higher than most diesels.
The hybrid system is concentrated on efficiency greater than economic system and makes use of 8.5 litres per 100km.
The beneficiant torque makes for simple acceleration, with a hearty surge from low within the rev vary.
The petrol engine and electrical motor generally seem out of sync, however there’s sufficient thrust for easy cruising.
There are a number of modes, from the acquainted Sand, Mud, Rock and Snow by means of to Eco, Sport and Knowledgeable, which is adjustable to the motive force’s style. Much less spectacular is the traction management that may sometimes – and noisily – chime in to comprise the preliminary surge of torque. It’s not less than efficient and in robust terrain the diff locks additional enhance traction.
The Tank additionally feels cumbersome and torpid in corners, even when the steering is gentle.
Regardless of the luxurious focus elsewhere, the journey will not be significantly plush and the suspension can wrestle to soak up massive hits. However it does fend off bumps and craggy roads confidently, doing its finest work in rougher terrain.
Off-road, the Tank 500 has the {hardware} to get down and soiled, beginning with a low-range switch case for slow-speed hill climbing and rock crawling.
There’s 224mm of clearance and it will probably wade by means of 800mm of water. Steel underbody safety shields key elements and the lengthy journey suspension does its finest to maintain the rubber involved with the bottom.
There’s even a flip help system much like that within the LandCruiser 200 Collection, which tightens the turning circle by permitting the within rear wheel to briefly skid when performing tight, low-speed turns off-road.
There’s one space the Tank loses out to its rivals: fame.
Whereas time might effectively show it has the stamina to take care of Aussie corrugations, crimson mud and dust, for now it’s an unknown that some is probably not ready to danger.
However those that do will take pleasure in lashings of normal gear in a effectively offered off-roader that isn’t afraid of tough roads.
VERDICT 3.5/5
Sizeable seven-seater dishes up SUV luxurious at a mainstream worth however does its finest work in tough terrain.
GWM Tank 500
PRICE: From $66,490 drive-away
WARRANTY/SERVICING: Seven yrs/limitless km, capped servicing not out there
SAFETY: Seven airbags, auto emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane-keep help, rear cross-traffic alert, rear auto braking, driver monitoring, exit warning, speed-sign recognition
ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo, 255kW/648Nm
THIRST: 8.5L/100km
SPARE Full measurement
LUGGAGE: 795 litres