In 2026 it seems to be going against the grain, but GWM is canceling another hybrid vehicle – and introducing a diesel instead.
The Tank 500 Hybrid has been used up, and in addition to the ultra plug-in hybrid (PHEV), only the blacked-out top version Vanta of the large off-road SUV is still in stock.
That leaves only the two most expensive Tank 500 variants in showrooms in the coming months, with these costing $74,490 and $76,990 in-car respectively. The now-cancelled Lux Hybrid previously opened the price range at $64,490 drive-away.
GWM’s answer to the Toyota Prado – along with the closely related Cannon Alpha ute – will receive GWM’s new 3.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine in the third quarter (July to September) of 2026.
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GWM has confirmed it is comparing it to the Ford Ranger and Everest’s 3.0-litre turbodiesel in terms of performance and drivability – although that engine has two extra cylinders.
And even though it’s a four-cylinder instead of a six-cylinder engine, the maximum torque is actually higher (620 Nm vs. 600 Nm), and the maximum power isn’t far behind (170 kW vs. 185 kW). In comparison, the hybrid has a total system output of 255 kW and 648 Nm.
The new diesel is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system.
GWM promises a five percent improvement in fuel consumption on the NEDC cycle compared to the Cannon Alpha’s 2.4-liter turbodiesel and a 20 percent improvement in claimed 0-100 km/h acceleration time. And despite the lack of electrification, the Tank 500 3.0TD won’t cause much more pollution, at least for now.
“The diesel is actually similar to the hybrid from a CO2 perspective,” said Tim Leong, product planning manager at GWM Australia Daily Sparkz.
On the combined cycle, the existing Tank 500 Hybrid emits 199g/km, just 1g/km less than the Prado, which has a mild-hybrid 2.8-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine. Both beat the Everest V6, which emits 224g/km.
The abolition of the Tank 500 Hybrid means buyers will have to opt for the diesel if they want seven seats, as the PHEV is only available as a five-seater.
While the diesel will likely be cheaper than the PHEV, it’s unclear what price the Tank 500 range will be available at once the 3.0-litre engine hits the market.
GWM is committed to managing complexity as its powertrain offerings grow
“In the future, perhaps in the case of the Tank 500, instead of Lux, Ultra, etc., we will only have Ultra,” Mr Leong said.
GWM Australia is looking to add another seven-seat SUV with the Haval H7 Plus – a crossover SUV with car-like unibody construction – which is likely to provide a cheaper alternative to the Tank 500 for buyers not looking for off-road capability.
The company offers petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains depending on the model and has now confirmed that diesel-hybrid and diesel plug-in hybrid powertrains are in the works.
It’s part of a strategy to offer a wide range of powertrains, with GWM chairman Jack Wei taking inspiration from Toyota.
The new electrified diesel engines are scheduled to launch in China in 2027, and one or both of these powertrains will come to Australia.
GWM has yet to confirm which models will be offered with these electrified diesel powertrains. However, it is understood that the hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems can be combined with the brand’s existing 2.0-litre, 2.4-litre and upcoming 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesels.
The Tank 500 is GWM’s third worst seller in Australia. Last year, 1,519 units were delivered here, 9.2 percent fewer than the previous year. This sum corresponded to less than a third of the volume of the smaller, cheaper Tank 300 off-road SUV.
So far this year, GWM has delivered 282 Tank 500s as the stock of hybrid variants has been depleted. The recently launched Denza B5 – another large Chinese off-road SUV, but only available with PHEV power – has taken the lead with 546 deliveries in the first quarter of 2026.
MORE: Explore the GWM Tank 500 showroom
