GWM opens order books for new 620Nm turbo-diesel Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha

GWM has opened expressions of interest for its new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine ahead of its global debut in New Zealand and Australia this September.

The new four-cylinder diesel will be offered exclusively in the large Tank 500 SUV and Cannon Alpha ute, replacing the existing 2.4-litre turbo-diesel in the latter and giving the Tank 500 its first diesel-powered option in New Zealand.

Producing 170kW of power and 620Nm of torque, the new engine delivers an additional 35kW and 140Nm over the 2.4-litre diesel it replaces.

The 620Nm torque figure also puts the new GWM engine ahead of the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 used in the Ford Ranger and Everest, which produces 600Nm. Ford’s V6 retains a 14kW power advantage, however, with an output of 184kW.

The Tank 500 diesel has a claimed fuel consumption figure of 7.1L/100km on the NEDC cycle, while the Cannon Alpha is rated at 7.3L/100km.

That represents a significant improvement over the current Cannon Alpha 2.4-litre diesel, which has a claimed combined fuel economy figure of 8.9L/100km.

The new engine is paired with the company's in-house-developed nine-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, while both models will offer a 3500kg braked towing capacity.

GWM says the new turbo-diesel was developed around improved towing performance, long-distance touring, and off-road capability, with a focus on strong low-end torque and refinement.

The new 3.0-litre engine is the equal-largest-displacement four-cylinder turbo-diesel available in New Zealand, matching the engines used in the Isuzu D-Max ute and MU-X, however, those both vehicles produce considerably less power and torque, with outputs of 140kW and 450Nm.

GWM says New Zealand and Australia were selected as the first markets to receive the new powertrain due to the importance of the two countries within its global product strategy.

The company says feedback from local customers helped shape the development of the engine, with buyers in both markets continuing to show strong demand for larger-capacity diesel powertrains.

Ahead of its launch, the engine underwent more than six months of local engineering and validation work across Australia, led by GWM ANZ product engineering and vehicle dynamics manager Rob Trubiani.

GWM says testing focused on performance, durability, drivability, towing capability, and powertrain calibration across a range of surfaces and conditions.

The diesel-powered Tank 500 will replace the current 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol-hybrid model, which is being run out. While the hybrid produces substantially more power and torque, with combined outputs of 255kW and 648Nm, GWM has previously said the new diesel’s carbon dioxide emissions are expected to be broadly comparable.

The new diesel engine will form part of GWM’s expanding powertrain lineup, which already includes petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and diesel options.

GWM has also confirmed the 3.0-litre diesel has been designed to support future hybrid and plug-in hybrid applications, with electrified diesel models expected to enter production in China from early 2027.

Pricing, final specifications, and local availability for the diesel-powered Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha will be announced closer to their September launch.

Customers can now register their interest through GWM New Zealand’s website.