GWM South Africa has added a shining new star to its universe of models with the new GWM TANK 300.
The new model not only introduces the GWM TANK brand, but with it a new world of pure-bred off-road performance and, as is commonplace for all GWM models, an unmatched level of luxury, design and styling.
“GWM TANK is already a well-established off-road lifestyle brand in China and in world markets such as Australia, where owners share our love for overlanding, the great outdoors and for finding roads less travelled.
“That is why we are very confident that the GMW TANK 300 and future GWM Tank models will find a welcome home among South Africans,” says Bianca van Staden, the Head of Marketing, Brand and PR of GWM South Africa.
GWM TANK – Premium, off-road performance, hardy
“As the first model in the new GWM TANK range, the GWM TANK 300 must firmly establish the range’s credentials of luxury, true off-road performance and durability. And it does so with aplomb,” says Van Staden.
The ability of the GWM TANK 300 starts – as with all GWM models – in the design and engineering phase.
GWM draws on its global network of design, development and testing centres to invest thousands of hours into the creation of the model platform. It then introduces the model to its large local market and consider user feedback to further improve the model before exporting it to its main markets such as Australia, South Africa, Europe and South America.
“Our engineers accepted nothing as sacred in designing the GWM TANK 300. We relooked every aspect of a true off-road model to create a vehicle where durability does not mean you sacrifice design, off-road capability does not mean that you have to compromise on on-road driving comfort and utility does not come at the expense of luxury,” says Van Staden.
The GWM TANK 300 is built on a proprietary and very strong ladder frame chassis. Indeed, this chassis and bodyshell use mostly 1500 Mpa steel for greater rigidity and crash-test performance.
Mounted to the ladder frame is a modern multi-link rear suspension and a durable double-wishbone front suspension for greater on-road comfort that does not impede the off-road capabilities.
The high-strength passenger cell is fitted to the top of the ladder frame with special rubber mountings that absorb road noise and vibration for a truly luxurious driving experience inside the cabin.
Multiple towing and recovery hooks are fitted directly to the chassis, and the drivetrain is anchored with special dynamic mounts and a balancer shaft to contribute to the in-cabin comfort.
Design
The GWM TANK 300 cuts a unique profile that shows it is made-for-purpose.
GWM designers created a smoothed-out angular profile that tips the hat to off-road vehicles from the past yet stands firmly in a modern environment.
This is also true of the newly designed TANK logo fitted on the bright black grille. Consisting of two capital letters – a “T” and a “U”, the new logo symbolises the brand’s focus on Technology and modern Trends, while never losing focus on the User (phonetically also referring to You) and the fact that the brand seeks to Unite fans of the great outdoors.
Some of the stand-out design features include the round LED headlamps that are dissected by bright LED daytime running lights.
An off-road front bumper with integrated LED fog lamps exposes the Michelin HEV SUV tyres and aids technical off-road driving, while the clamshell-style bonnet with its large power bulge becomes a confident statement of the vehicle’s capabilities.
The side profile frames off the large alloy wheels with black fender extensions. The fenders are connected with a black running board. The door handles, large side mirrors and roof rails are treated in a similar black finish.
At the back, there are squared LED tail lamps, a door-mounted spare wheel – also fitted with a full-sized alloy wheel – and a square rear bumper with integrated tow bar mounting bracket and 12Volt power plug. The rear luggage door is hydraulically assisted, and a spare wheel cover is standard.
Performance – Off-road
Moving from design to the off-road credentials of the GWM TANK 300, another family trait that all future GWM TANK models will be known for.
As mentioned earlier, the GWM TANK 300 is built on a very solid foundation with a sturdy off-road chassis, high-strength passenger cell and a suspension system developed to offer the best of all worlds.
GWM has developed two unique 4×4 systems on this sturdy platform. The first, an All-Terrain Driving System with Multi-Terrain Select will be available on the internal combustion models that is expected within the next few weeks. More information on these models will be made available soon.
The second is a unique all-time four-wheel drive system with intelligent electronic management and low range. This system is unique to the Hybrid Electric Version of the GWM TANK 300, the first model to arrive in South Africa.
This system gives the driver full control of the vehicle responses in all terrains, with a choice between the following driving modes: Normal, Economic, Sport, Stone, Snow (for any slippery conditions), Sand and Low-Range 4×4 driving (4L).
All GWM TANK 300 models have an electronically controlled rear differential lock for technical off-road driving as standard. The vehicle is also offered with two sturdy sections of underbody protection.
Before mentioning the many, many off-road systems fitted to the GWM TANK 300 a brief review of its key statistics:
The GWM TANK 300 offers 224 mm of ground clearance and has an approach angle of 33 degrees. The departure angle is an equally impressive 34 degrees, while the ramp-over angle is 23.1 degrees.
The GWM TANK 300 has a maximum climb gradient rating of 70%, and all models, including the hybrid version, have a maximum wading depth of 700 mm.
Performance – Engine and drivetrain
The GWM TANK 300 is available in two distinct drivetrain and power configurations. More information on the internal combustion models will be made as soon as the first vehicles become available in South Africa.
Specifications
The Hybrid Electric version of the GWM TANK 300 features the best in GWM engineering for unmatched power and torque with low fuel consumption. This model is also equipped with an iBooster Intelligent Braking System that allows for energy regeneration during braking.
Combined power (petrol/electric): 255 kW (Petrol engine: 180 kW @ 5 500 r/min – 6 000 r/min and electric motor 78kW)
Combined torque (petrol/electric): 648 Nm (Petrol engine: 380 Nm @ 1 700 r/min – 4 000 r/min and electric motor 268Nm)
Transmission: 9-speed Hydraulic Automatic gearbox
Fuel consumption: 8.4 litre / 100 km in a combined cycle
The GWM TANK 300 petrol models are equipped with a next-generation turbo-petrol engine with variable boost technology and direct injection. It offers ample power and torque and will, thanks to the on- and off-road management systems, offer great all-round driveability.
Power: 162 kW @ 5 500 r/min
Torque: 380 Nm @ 1 800 r/min to 3 600 r/min
Transmission: 8-speed Automatic gearbox
Fuel consumption: 9.5 litre / 100 km
As is befitting of a true off-road vehicle such as the GWM TANK 300, there are many ingenious design features that improve the vehicle’s practicality.
These include:
- Grab handles on the A and B-pillar
- Stainless steel door sills
- Roof-mounted grab handles (excluding the driver)
- Rope hooks
- A dashboard-mounted handle for the front passenger
- 60/40 split rear bench and 100% folded seats
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Keyless entry
- Keyless start
Safety and security
GWM’s unwavering focus on safety and security is clearly evident in the list of standard safety features on all versions of the GWM TANK 300.
And many more features, including several passive safety features that are normally not expected in this category.
These include:
- Seven airbags
- ISOFIX child seat anchors
- Pre-crash seatbelt system
- Three-point seatbelts for all occupants, and
- An emergency escape latch in the luggage compartment.
