The Tank: A New 4x4 Star is Born

Image: Supplied

Impressive! Very Impressive! Everything about the latest offering from the GWM stable smacks of quality and luxury at an affordable price. Hard as I may have tried, I could not fault the Tank 300. For starters, the 4x4 offers true off-road adventure capabilities, has powerful ICE (internal combustion engine) and HEV (hybrid electric) models and unmatched safety, styling and luxury features.

Aesthetically, The Tank 300 is pleasing to the eye, especially in the colours of the Mars Red and Grey.

Lasting First Impressions

The first impressions when you get into the cab is lasting. Luxury personified. Double stitching all round on quilted leather upholstery. Plenty of space. It just feels so comfortable. 

First part of the launch test phase was on tar. No problems at all. Then on gravel for many kilometres. Again, the Tank passed this test with flying colours. But the real challenges were on one of SA’s most arduous, demanding and challenging 4x4 tracks. So challenging that we were all given the ‘heads-up’ on the various ups and downs, twists and turns and more. 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. But the ultimate and final test was going up an almost 60-degree rough stone incline. It looked daunting from the bottom and I felt unsure. But once strapped in, the Tank and I slowly conquered this mammoth task.    

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. “That is why we are very confident that the GMW TANK 300 and future GWM Tank models will find a welcome home among South Africans,” says Bianca van Staden, the Head of Marketing, Brand and PR of GWM South Africa.

 “We relooked 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,” says Van Staden.

Image: Supplied

 

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.

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

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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.

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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: 8.4 litre / 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.

Multi-function, multi-adjustable controls

All models feature a steering wheel that is adjustable in all directions, has controls for the infotainment, phone and cruise-control systems, feature paddle shifters for the automatic transmission. 

 

Safety and security

Just about every safety measure is here to make your drive as smooth as possible, far too many to mention here.

Verdict

Whew! What more could one ask for in a 4x4. Bundu-bashing luxury with all you will ever require for a weekday office commute and even better for weekend off-roading adventures. Luxury and comfort with a very competitive price tag. The Tank has it all and then some. GWM. Go with More! You won’t be disappointed. It’s in a class of its own and a market disruptor.

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.