GWM Tank 500 Teased, Malaysia Auto Show 2025 Launch Set?

GWM Malaysia has taken to social media to tease the imminent arrival of the much-anticipated GWM Tank 500. Said premium 4x4 luxury SUV offering was first previewed back in Dec during the KL International Mobility Show (KLIMS) 2024.

While no official launch date was confirmed, all signs point towards a possible public launch at the next major automotive event, by which we mean the Malaysia Autoshow 2025. Said expo takes place next month at MAEPS, Serdang from May 9 to May 15..

Although full specifications for the Malaysian market offering are still under wraps, a closer look at the Tank 500 currently offered in Thailand gives us a pretty solid idea of what to expect. The Thai market model gets a three-row, 7-seat cabin layout, as well as a 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol powertrain paired with a single hybrid e-motor.

This combo churns out an impressive 345 HP and a rather meaty 616 NM of twist. All of which are sent to all four wheels via a 9-speed hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) and GWM’s proprietary all-wheel drive (AWD) system. Notably, the latter boasts 11 selectable driving modes and electronic diff locks for both front and rear axles.

The Tank 500 also features off-road-specific tech like cruise control for rough terrain, water wading depth detection, and a Body Transparent Mode that utilises external cameras to project the terrain under and in front of the vehicle, as well as a novel ‘Tank Turn’ capability - something we’ve experienced prior in the smaller GWM Tank 300 sibling.

Visually, the Tank 500 takes on the same ethos see in in the Tank 300 model mentioned by sticking to bold, boxy SUV styling, but with touches of premium flair - chrome-detailed front grille, flanked by LED headlamps and fog lamps, gives the front a rugged yet sophisticated look.

At the rear, the Tank 500 features a spare tyre hub and cover, further boosting its adventure-ready appeal. This is complemented by vertical LED taillights and a corrugated silver skid plate.

On board, the cabin merges luxury and  tech, the latter evident via a 14.6-inch touchscreen that offers both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Present here too is a 12-speaker premium audio system, followed by Nappa leather upholstery, as well as powered front seats with memory function, amongst many other bits.

As for safety, standard features here also include a reverse camera plus Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). Meanwhile, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is exclusive to the range-topping Pro variant marketed in the Kingdom north of our Peninsular’s border.

As a point of reference, the GWM Tank 500 retails in Thailand starting at THB2.05 million (RM328,000). Whether the Malaysian-spec version will mirror this pricing remains to be seen, but expectations are high for this full-sized, tech-laden luxury all-terrain SUV.