GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T Plug-in Hybrid Arrives with 300kW Power

GWM has planted another flag in Australia’s SUV landscape with the arrival of the Tank 500 Hi4-T Plug-in Hybrid, its most ambitious model to date. Slotting above the Cannon Alpha Hi4-T, the Tank 500 brings more power, more luxury, and a hybrid system designed to silence doubters who think plug-ins are just city runabouts.

This is the fourth PHEV GWM has released locally this year, and the second to feature the brand’s Hi4-T system. It pairs a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with two electric motors and a sizeable 37.1kWh battery, all tied together with a 9-speed hybrid automatic transmission and mechanical four-wheel drive. The result is serious numbers: 300kW, 750Nm, and a 0–100km/h sprint of 6.9 seconds. The Tank 500 will also tow 3,000kg, sip just 2.1L/100km, and travel up to 120km on electricity alone. On paper, at least, it gives Toyota’s Prado and LandCruiser something to sweat about.

It’s not just figures that GWM is touting. The Tank 500 Hi4-T is built with off-road credibility baked in—a deliberate move when so many plug-in SUVs struggle once the tarmac ends. With locking front, centre, and rear differentials, plus an 800mm wading depth, it promises to be as comfortable crossing creeks as it is cruising Collins Street. And if your idea of “adventure” involves gadgets, the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) system provides 6kW of off-grid power, enough to run camp fridges, coffee machines, or a drag show’s worth of stage lights.

Pricing starts at $79,990 driveaway, though early adopters get a $2,000 launch discount, trimming that figure to $77,990. For GWM, the Tank 500 is also a centrepiece for its upcoming Tech Day showcase, which the company describes as its biggest-ever event in Australia.

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ABOVE: GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T Plug-in Hybrid

Step inside, and GWM has pulled out all stops to rival far pricier SUVs. The cabin features a 14.6-inch infotainment display, Infinity premium audio, a panoramic sunroof, and Nappa leather-accented front seats with heating, cooling, and massaging functions. It’s the sort of spec list designed to tempt buyers who might otherwise be eyeing a Lexus or Land Rover—minus the eye-watering badge tax.

The Tank 500 Hi4-T also highlights GWM’s broader ambitions. Rather than sticking to budget-friendly utes and SUVs, the Chinese brand is deliberately moving upmarket, using electrification as its calling card. With four plug-in hybrids already in showrooms this year, and full EVs waiting in the wings, GWM seems determined to prove it can match established players while adding its own twist of practicality and value.

Whether the Tank 500 Hi4-T lives up to its promise will depend on how it handles real-world Aussie conditions. On paper, it’s a compelling mix: tough enough to take off-road, refined enough for the school run, and smart enough to keep the tech crowd happy. And if it really does deliver all that for under eighty grand driveaway, Toyota and the rest should probably start looking over their shoulders.

Spec Sheet Highlights:

Engine: 2.0L turbo petrol hybrid, dual motors
Transmission: 9-speed hybrid auto (9HAT)
Power/Torque: 300kW / 750Nm
Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in 6.9s
Fuel Economy: 2.1L/100km
EV Range: 120km (NEDC)
Battery: 37.1kWh NMC
Towing: 3,000kg
Off-road: Locking diffs, 800mm wading depth
Cabin: 14.6-inch infotainment, Infinity audio, panoramic roof, Nappa massage seats

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