GWM Tank 500 previewed in Thailand; Chinese Land Cruiser with 11 off-road terrain modes

Hot off its first show at the 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show, the Tank 500 is now making a special appearance at the 2021 Thailand Motor Expo. The Tank 500 is the latest model introduced by Great Wall Motors’ (GWM) off-road centric brand and will go up against SUVs like the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Jeep Wrangler.

In China, the Tank 500 is offered in three different versions: the Business Version, the Customised Version, and the Sports Version. The car displayed at the Thailand Motor Expo is the Sports Version and prices start from CNY 335,000 (~RM 221,601) to CNY 363,000 (~RM 240,116).

Measuring 5,070 x 1,934 x 1,905 mm in length, width, and height with a wheelbase of 2,850 mm, we have to say that the SUV looks larger than it is. The Tank 500 is actually just slightly longer than the new Toyota Land Cruiser 300 but narrower and shorter.

There is no missing the Tank 500, the behemoth has an imposing presence that will definitely make heads turn and stare. The massive chrome grille is paired with large LED headlights. If you look at just the front grille, you might easily mistake the SUV for a Dodge Ram instead.

With the bumper and fenders finished in the same colour as the vehicle body, the SUV has an overall premium finish. There is no mistaking that GWM intends to market this car as a premium off-roader.

The interior is equally opulent with the use of wood grain inserts very similar to the wood inserts in Volvo’s interior. The smart use of chrome bits on the buttons and leather-wrapped steering wheel further elevates the Scandinavian look.

Power comes from a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine that produces 354 PS and 500 Nm. The engine is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels.

The SUV also comes with GWM’s latest all-wheel-drive tech that has 11 off-road terrain modes.

Although the Tank 500 was previewed at the Thailand Motor Show, there is still no word yet on whether GWM will launch the SUV in the Land of Smiles.

Also read: For Haval, Thailand is more important than China, hosts debut of Haval H6 PHEV

Perhaps the preview is just a means to measure the interest for the SUV but if they do launch the car, Thailand will be the first market to see a right-hand-drive Tank 500.