When GWM opened order books on its new 3.0 litre turbo-diesel earlier this month, we said pricing would decide how loud the story gets. The answer is loud: the Tank 500 diesel is now available from $65,990 drive-away for the Lux and $71,990 drive-away for the Vanta.
The numbers that matter
The new engine, launched in Australia first ahead of every other market, makes 170kW and 620Nm through a nine-speed automatic and tows a full 3,500kg braked. That is more torque than a Ford Ranger V6 and a claimed 7.1L/100km in a body-on-frame seven-seater, at a price point where the established Japanese diesel four-wheel drives do not play.
An early bird sweetener
GWM is offering a $2,000 drive-away cash bonus or a $2,000 fuel card on new Tank 500 diesels bought before the end of October, which brings the effective entry point down to $63,990 drive-away.
Cartell Assessment
GWM keeps pricing like it has nothing to lose, and the established diesel players should treat this as a direct hit. The engine's numbers are real. Long-term durability is the only open question.
AU Outlook
First customer deliveries are rolling out from September. If the diesel drives as well as it reads, expect it to outsell the hybrid quickly.
