GWM is pulling off a genuine surprise this September: in Australia, the Tank 500 and the Cannon Alpha ute are about to get a completely new 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel for the very first time. 231hp, 620Nm and a nine-speed automatic — those are serious numbers. But hold the celebrations if you're not in Australia: this version simply isn't available everywhere yet.
The Cannon Alpha Lux is priced at AU$58,990. The Vanta variant costs AU$63,990. The diesel Tank 500 Lux asks AU$65,990, while the Vanta tops out at AU$71,990.
The new engine transforms the Cannon Alpha almost beyond recognition: the outgoing 2.4-litre diesel produced 135kW and 480Nm, while the new 3.0-litre jumps straight to 170kW and 620Nm. GWM calls Australia the debut market for this powertrain and stresses that it was tested right here, tuned for local conditions and towing.
Elsewhere, the picture looks different. In several markets, the Tank 500 line-up still runs on a 2.0-litre petrol hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and petrol versions with a 3.0-litre V6. No diesel among them — not yet.
There's been no official word yet on whether this diesel Tank 500 will roll out beyond Australia and New Zealand. So for now, this launch is really about expanding what the already-familiar SUV can do — not a hint at what's coming to other markets. Not yet, anyway.
