GWM has opened the order books on a new 3.0 litre turbo-diesel, and Australia is first in the world to get it. The engine debuts in the Tank 500 SUV and Cannon Alpha ute from September, making 170 kW and 620 Nm through a nine-speed automatic.
More twist than a Ranger V6
That 620 Nm figure tops the 600 Nm of the V6 diesel in a Ford Ranger, though the Ranger keeps a 14 kW power edge at 184 kW. Against GWM's outgoing 2.4 litre diesel, the new engine is up 35 kW and 140 Nm. Braked towing stays at the full 3,500 kg, and claimed fuel use is 7.1 L/100km in the Tank 500 and 7.3 L/100km in the Cannon Alpha.
Orders open now, on sale September
GWM is taking expressions of interest and orders now ahead of first deliveries from September. Pricing for the new engine variants will decide how loud this story gets, and GWM has form for undercutting the established players by a wide margin.
Cartell Assessment
If you thought the diesel fight was settled, a Chinese brand just out-torqued the establishment. The numbers are legitimate: 620 Nm with 3,500 kg towing and sub 7.5 L/100km claims puts this engine straight into the conversation for anyone cross-shopping a Ranger, HiLux or Prado on grunt per dollar. The proof will be in real-world towing manners and long-term durability, neither of which shows up at launch.
AU Outlook
Australia getting a world-first engine launch says plenty about how seriously GWM takes this market, and diesel is still where the money is for utes and large four-wheel drives here. If the September pricing lands sharp, expect the Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha diesels to pull real volume from the established names through the back half of 2026.
