Long range, three tonne hybrid towing machine confirmed for Oz

There's a new 'green' 3000kg towing machine about to hit our shores...

GWM Australia has finally settled on which plug-in hybrid Tank 500 it’s bringing Down Under: the 300kW/750Nm Hi4-T. Local pricing is yet to be announced, but we do know the big rig will enter showrooms in Q4.

It probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise GWM Australia opted for the Hi4-T powertrain over the monstrous 635kW/1139Nm Hi4-Z system – Aussies love their 4x4s and getting off the beaten track, making the Hi4-T the obvious choice.

Why? Because it retains a mechanical 4x4 system with high- and low-range gearing, whereas the urban-focused Hi4-Z utilises a software-based system with an e-motor powering the rear axle.

As per the existing plugless hybrid, the 2025 GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T features a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4x4 – 2H, AWD, 4H Lock, 4L Lock – but swaps out the compact 1.76kWh battery pack for a 37.11kWh nickel manganese cobalt unit that powers a gutsier 120kW/400Nm e-motor.

A full charge will supposedly provide up to 120km of NEDC electric range and contribute to a total fuel range of 950km.

Zero-100km/h is said to take 6.9 seconds in the most aggressive of the 11 drive modes while the combined fuel consumption is 2.1L/100km.

Headline PHEV capabilities meantime extend to 50kW DC fast-charging (30-80% in 24 mins) and 6kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, with GWM spruiking the extra control and capability the electric drive provides off-road.

Speaking of, the Hi4-T stands 213mm above the ground, can wade through 800mm of water and boasts off-road angles of 30 (approach), 22.5 (ramp over) and 24 (departure) degrees.

Equipment highlights comprise a 14.6-inch infotainment system, wireless smartphone mirroring, three-zone climate control, auto parking, reversing assistance, heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, a 7.0-inch second-row interface and ambient lighting.

GWM Australia is yet to announce the Hi4-T’s local pricing, but it goes without saying that it will cost more than the equivalent Tank 500 Hybrid which currently starts from $66,490 drive-away.

Aftersales care meantime will include a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, eight-year/unlimited-kilometre battery warranty, seven years roadside assistance and seven years of capped-price servicing.