√GWM Tank 700 SUV revealed with plug-in hybrid power

This large SUV from China could take on Australia’s beloved Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol with its powerful twin-turbo V6 engine and electric motor.

China’s answer to the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol large SUVs has been unveiled as the boldly-styled GWM Tank 700 – a body-on-frame 4×4 with twin-turbo V6 and plug-in hybrid power.

As reported by Car News China, the Tank 700 joins the Great Wall Motors (GWM) line-up of rugged off-road focused SUVs alongside the smaller Tank 300 and Tank 500.

On the outside, the GWM Tank 700’s design is a mix of Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the funky 2000s Honda Element people mover and smaller Tank 500 – though it utilises high-output petrol-hybrid power to become a rival to the most popular large SUVs on sale in Australia.

Under the bonnet of the flagship 700 Hi4-T variant is a 268kW/500Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, which is paired to an electric motor on its nine-speed automatic transmission.

The electric boost increases the SUV’s outputs to 386kW/750Nm – 159kW/50Nm more than the LandCruiser’s 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6, and 81kW/100Nm more than the 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6-powered 300 Series sold overseas.

The outputs are also significantly higher than the 258kW achieved by hybrid versions of the Tank 300 and 500, which are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine combined with an electric motor.

Measuring 5113mm in length, 2061mm in width and 1952mm in height, the Tank 700 is 133mm longer, 79mm wider and 2mm taller than a LandCruiser 300 Series GX – while its 3000mm wheelbase is also 150mm greater than the Toyota.

While it is not yet known whether the Tank 700 will be sold in Australia, GWM filed a trademark for the name locally in November 2021 – though this does not guarantee it for showrooms.

According to Car News China, the GWM Tank 700 has gone on sale from 700,000 yuan in its home market – equivalent to $152,300 in Australian currency.

The post GWM Tank 700 SUV revealed with plug-in hybrid power appeared first on Drive.