Tried and tested. The Tank 300 from GWM.

I spent some time this past week with the very unmistakable vehicle from the GWM stable. The one thing that stood out was the many people that could not take their eyes off the 4x4. General onlookers seemed to scratch their heads as they tried to decipher the brand or the OEM. Some asked for a sneak peek at the interior, to which I was more than happy to guide them around. It really caused a stir wherever I drove the SUV to. And that Mars Red metallic colour was also a stand out, as being a hybrid electric vehicle.  

 

Pic: Supplied

The test included driving on as many terrains possible. No problems on tar/ national highways. Then on gravel for many kilometres. But the real challenges were on one of SA’s most arduous, demanding and challenging 4x4 tracks. I thoroughly enjoyed every ‘test’, all thanks to the ease in which the Tank handled all. Literally, I just guided the steering wheel, selected the right gear and the Tank did the rest.

GWM.

Go with More. GWM TANK is already a well-established off-road lifestyle brand in China and in world markets such as Australia, where owners share our love for overlanding, the great outdoors and for finding roads less travelled. GWM looked every aspect of a true off-road model to create a vehicle where durability does not mean you sacrifice design, off-road capability does not mean that you have to compromise on on-road driving comfort and utility does not come at the expense of luxury.

Designed to Sell

Some of the stand-out design features include the round LED headlamps that are dissected by bright LED daytime running lights.

An off-road front bumper with integrated LED fog lamps exposes the Michelin HEV SUV tyres and aids technical off-road driving, while the clamshell-style bonnet with its large power bulge becomes a confident statement of the vehicle’s capabilities.

Pic: Supplied

At the back, there are squared LED tail lamps, a door-mounted spare wheel – also fitted with a full-sized alloy wheel – and a square rear bumper with integrated tow bar mounting bracket and 12Volt power plug. The rear luggage door is hydraulically assisted, and a spare wheel cover is standard.

 

Performance – Off-road

GWM has developed two unique 4x4 systems on this sturdy platform. The first, an All-Terrain Driving System with Multi-Terrain Select will be available on the internal combustion models. The second is a unique all-time four-wheel drive system with intelligent electronic management and low range.  This system gives the driver full control of the vehicle responses in all terrains, with a choice between the following driving modes: Normal, Economic, Sport, Stone, Snow (for any slippery conditions), Sand and Low-Range 4x4 driving (4L). Ground clearance is 224mm and a wading depth of 700mm.

Combined power (petrol/electric): 255 kW (Petrol engine: 180 kW @ 5 500 r/min – 6 000 r/min and electric motor 78kW)

Transmission: 9-speed Hydraulic Automatic gearbox

Fuel consumption: 8.8 litres / 100 km in a combined cycle

 

Unmatched Luxury

Dual 12.3” high-definition LCD screen

The conjoined screens form one large screen that offers a fully customisable instrument cluster and a large infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen also displays the images from the various external cameras and offers full control over the vehicle’s comfort and off-road systems.

 

Price

Tank 300 2.0T 8AT 4x4 Super Luxury           R725 950

Tank 300 2.0T 8AT 4x4 Ultra Luxury             R775 950

Tank 300 2.0T 9HAT 4x4 Super Luxury        R851 950

All models are sold with a 7-year / 200 000 km new vehicle warranty and unlimited roadside assistance for the same period. A 5-year / 75 000 km service plan is included across the range, and service intervals are 12 months or every 15 000 km whichever comes first. The HEV model has an additional warranty that covers the complete high-voltage system and vehicle battery for a full 8-years / 150 000 km.