GWM TANK 500

Great Wall Motor (GWM) has made its mark in Malaysia yet again with the launch of another highly anticipated model, the GWM Tank 500.

The all-terrain luxury SUV is the brand’s first (local market) Tank Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), and underpinned is a Ladder Frame Construction (ladder-frame chassis).

Fully imported (CBU – Thailand), available via GWM Malaysia is one variant (Tank 500 HEV Ultra – MYR 328,800).

Price (OTR, w/o insurance) covers a vehicle warranty (six-years, unlimited mileage), HEV battery warranty (eight years/200,000 KM) and a powertrain-HEV system warranty (lifetime).

Included is a limited-time offer package (free service and maintenance – five years, labour, parts) and an early bird package (first 100 units – exclusive gift box).

Three exterior colours (single-tone – Crystal Black, Hamilton White, Sun Black). One interior colour (Luxurious Black).

The new Tank 500 HEV has a wide and symmetrically tiered dashboard, linked to a high-rising centre console (aviation-style gear shifter, drive mode selector).

Soft-/hard-touched (dash, centre console, steering wheel, doors), it sees a single-tone scheme (Luxurious Black) with contrast trims (wood, Silver).

Filling-up the spaces are driver/central displays (instrument cluster, infotainment), an analogue clock, ambient lights (multi-colour, rhythmic) and air-conditioning vents.

Inclusively, the layout is neatly designed with accessibilities ergonomically arranged (driver-centric, passenger-oriented).

Equipped is a 12.3-Inch digital driver display (instrument cluster) with a Heads-Up Display (HUD).

Sturdily bolstered and comfortable, the interior sees Nappa leather-leatherette upholstery (perforated) in a single-tone (Black) with quilted stitching colour scheme.

The first row gets electric-powered (driver: eight-way-adjust, eight-way-lumbar, memory-welcome, ventilation, massage – passenger: six-way-adjust, boss switch, memory-welcome, ventilation, massage) contoured seats.

The second row gets a manual-operated (two-way-adjust, recline-adjust, easy-entry, 60:40 split-flat-fold, ventilation) bolstered bench (three-seater). The third row gets an electric-powered (recline, 50:50 split-flat-fold) bolstered bench (two-seater).

Included are armrests (first row – centre console, second row – centre seat fold-out, third row – side panels), headrests (first, second, third rows), privacy blinds (second row) and a panoramic glass sunroof (electric: tilt/slide, sunshade).

A seven-seater SUV (three rows – 2-3-2), the cabin offers generous space, providing the occupants (front, rear) with ample interior mobility. 

Sufficient head, shoulder and leg rooms.

Practical storage areas. E.g., side door/seat back pockets, centre console partitioned/caverned compartments and glove box.

Mounted is a three-spoke-rounded steering wheel. Single-tone (Black) leatherette with contrast trimmings (Silver).

Features are multi-switches (Bluetooth, media, voice command, vehicle settings), paddle shifters and column adjustments (electric: tilt, telescopic).

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system (speed sensing) with selectable modes (LIGHT, COMFORT, SPORT).

Provided are four cup holders (two – first, second rows) and six bottle holders (two front doors, two rear doors, two rear panels).

Installed are four USB ports (two-first row, two-second row), two 12 V sockets (first row, boot) and one wireless charger (first row).

Accessing its side-hinged tailgate (manual operation: electric suction close) opens to 98-Litres (first, second, third row seats up), 795-Litres (first, second row seats up) and 1,489-Litres (first row seats up) of load capacities.

The new Tank 500 HEV measures at 5,078 MM in length, 1,934 MM in width, 1,905 MM in height and with a wheelbase spanning 2,850 MM.

Ruggedly sleek with solidly flowing contours, its boxy and chunky exterior exudes a powerful and commanding off-road presence.

The front-end sees a sculpted-side-raised bonnet, flared quarter panels, a large-square grille (thick surround, horizontal slats, Tank emblem) and a rectangular-moulded bumper (lower central vented).

Accentuations, body claddings/trimmings (Black: side mirror arms/Chrome: grille, U-shaped bumper lining, window surrounds, Tank emblem), side steps (Silver – electric) and roof rails (Silver).

Seamlessly boxy, its upright silhouette furthers the strong-rugged appeal, with symmetrically clean and horizontally cut proportions.

The rear-end sees a straight-cut roofline (roof-edge spoiler), flared quarter panels, a side-hinged tailgate (mounted spare-tyre, electric suction close, ‘TANK’ script) and a rectangular-moulded bumper (bumper guard, bumper step, hidden exhaust).

Accentuations, body claddings/trimmings (Black: lower section spoiler/Chrome: tailgate centre bar, bumper guard, bumper step, ‘TANK’ script), shark fin antenna (body-colour), side steps (Silver – electric) and roof rails (Silver).

Angularly boxy, the headlamps are largely framed. Installed are full LED units (Intelligent LED Headlamp).

Features are automatic On/Off/high-low-beam/height-adjust, Daytime Running Lights (DRL – LED), sequential turn signals (LED) and welcome lights. Paired to the setup are fog lamps (LED).

Cleanly large, the three-dimensional designed tail lamps are framed rectangularly upright. Installed are full LED units.

Features are automatic On/Off, sequential turn signals (LED) and welcome lights. Paired to the setup are fog lamps (LED) and a large high-mounted stop lamp (spoiler integrated).

The side mirrors (dual-tone – Black-body-colour) are electric-powered (auto-fold, adjust), with turn signals (LED), blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Detection – BSD) and heating/automatic-dimming functions.

Mounted are four-wheel ventilated (front, rear) disc brakes. Drive is aided by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Ruggedly sturdy, fitted is a set of 20-Inch multi-spoke (single-tone – Silver) alloy rims, rubbered-up in 265/50 R20 (front, rear) Continental CrossContact RX tyres.

The new Tank 500 HEV features a comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Grouped are Adaptive Cruise Control with Intelligent Cornering (Intelligent ACC), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Auto Emergency Braking with Intersection (AEBI), Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA), Front Cross Traffic Braking (FCTB), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Rear Cross Traffic Braking (RCTB), Front Collision Warning (FCW), Manoeuvre Emergency Braking (MEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Centre Keeping (LCK), Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK), GWM Wisdom Dodge System (WDS), Lane Change Assistance (LCA), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), Second Collision Mitigation (SCM), Hill-Start Assist (HSA), Hill-Descent Control (HDC), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Door Open Warning (DOW), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Integration Intelligent Parking (IIP – three types), Auto Reversing Assistance (ARA), Speed Alarm and Emergency Signal System (ESS).

Others include Blind Spot Detection (BSM), Surround-View Monitor (SVM – 360-degree, transparent chassis view), Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Roll Movement Intervention (RMI) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP).

Passive safety includes six airbags (driver-passenger, front sides, front-rear curtains), seat belts (pretensioners, anchors, reminders), ISOFIX (two – second row outer seats), automatic door locks (speed-sensing, collision-sensing, central-locking), parking sensors (six – front, rear), parking cameras (rear – dynamic guidelines, 360-degree, transparent chassis view), rear view mirrors (interior: automatic-dimming), emergency brake signal, automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), double-layer acoustic glass (front - windshield, side windows), windscreen electric defrosting (front), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold and security alarm (anti-theft, engine immobiliser).

Incorporated is the Intelligent All-Terrain System drive programme, featuring standard drive modes (STANDARD, SPORT, ECONOMY, AUTO) and off-road drive modes (4-High, 4-Low, MUD, SAND, ROCK, SNOW, EXPERT).

Included is Off-Road Cruise Control, Wading Mode (800 MM) and Tank Turn Assist.

Equipped is a floating 14.6-Inch LCD touchscreen central display (infotainment). 

The system supports Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wireless), media, navigation, voice assistant, USB and Bluetooth.

Entertainment is channelled via a setup of the Infinity sound system (12 speakers, independent amplifier, speed sensitive volume control).

The new Tank 500 HEV harbours a hybrid (HEV) powertrain (GWM Hi4-T technology).

Nestled is a 2.0-Litre inline four-cylinder, 16-valve, direct injection Variable-Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) petrol engine (241 HP/180 KW, 380 NM), mated to a transmission-integrated electric motor (78 KW/105 HP).

Total system output reads at 341 HP (254 KW) and 648 NM.

Fitted is a nine-speed Hybrid Automatic Transmission (9HAT).

Power is transmitted to all four wheels via a selectable Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive (I-4WD) system, incorporating electronically controlled differential locks (front, rear). 

Incorporated is a mechanical centre locker (Mlock) and Tank Turn Assist.

Fuel tank capacity is 75-Litres, and the e-motor is powered by a Lithium-Ion battery (1.8 KWH – rear-axle-mounted).

The new Tank 500 HEV features these conveniences. 

E.g., Smart keyless entry/start system (keyless entry, engine Start/Stop button), side-hinged tailgate (manual operation: electric suction close), automatic headlamps (On/Off/high-beam/height-adjust), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), automatic door locks (walk-away-auto-lock, speed-sensing, collision-sensing, central-locking), steering wheel (multi-function, column adjustments, paddle shifters, EPS, steering modes), electric-powered (driver: eight-way-adjust, eight-way-lumbar, memory-welcome, ventilation, massage – passenger: six-way-adjust, boss switch, memory-welcome, ventilation, massage) contoured seats (first row), armrests (first row – centre console, second row – centre seat fold-out, third row – side panels), headrests (first, second, third rows), privacy blinds (second row), a panoramic glass sunroof (electric: tilt/slide, sunshade), infotainment (voice assistant, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto,) wireless charger, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning (rear air-vents, second row control, PM2.5 detector-ioniser, Air Quality Control System – AQS), interior lighting (LED – ambient, cabin, boot), parking sensors (six – front, rear), parking cameras (rear – dynamic guidelines, 360-degree, transparent chassis view), rear-view mirrors (exterior – BDS, heating/interior – automatic-dimming), double-layer acoustic glass (front – windshield, side windows – soundproof), windscreen electric defrosting (front), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Installed is a dual-zone automatic air-conditioning system (rear air-vents, second row individual control panel). 

Incorporated is a PM2.5 detector-ioniser system and an Air Quality Control System (AQS).

Propping-up the chassis (ladder-frame) is a setup of double cross arm independent (front) and multi-link (rear) suspensions.

The three row SUV is comfortably spacious, safe and suitable for both daily-driving and off-roading outings. 

The ride quality is firm and well-balanced, with a smooth engine power and transmission delivery.

Good sound insulation, covering most of the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects. The cabin experience is refined, alienated from most of the outside noises.

An extra sound dampening feature comes in the form of double-layer acoustic glass (front – windshield, side windows – soundproof).

The new GWM Tank 500 HEV exudes a solidly sporty and commandingly rugged outlook. A sleek and boxy design that features seamlessly elegant body contours.

Interior-wise, its sportily airy and premium-featured layout provides a sense of comfort and easy connectivity to the occupants.

Ultimately, inside and out the build quality is satisfactory, and with its modern-outdoorsy outlook, the new Tank 500 HEV is truly a contender in its segment.