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GWM Tank 300 2024: off-roader to gain turbo V6 power… at least in China

 

The V6 iteration of the Tank 300 off-roader makes 265kW/500Nm, or 10kW more than the current four-cylinder turbo-hybrid version


A GWM Tank 300 with turbocharged V6 power has surfaced online in Chinese government documentation. 

Called the Tank 330, the Chinese-built off-roader has been decked out with protective front and rear bumpers, wide-stance wheel arches, roof rack system and new cooling vents for the bonnet.

With 18-inch alloy wheels and off-road specific tyres, the GWM Tank 330 also looks to be riding higher than the current Australian-delivered Tank 300s

2024 GWM Tank 330 rear end static
The GWM Tank 330 with V6 power has been leaked in Chinese government documents

We reached out to GWM Australia to find out more about the possibilities of the Tank 330 model coming to Australia. 

A spokesperson for the brand told us that “our focus currently is on continuing the successful local launch of Tank 300. 

“We don’t have any plans at this stage to broaden the Tank 300 range as we are happy with the petrol and hybrid powertrain options we currently have on offer,” they said.  

2024 GWM Tank 330 front 3/4 static shot
Wider wheel arches and protective front bar are standard

GWM’s turbo V6 engine not a all-new concept 

Powering the Tank 330 is a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine that produces 265kW/500Nm, however in media documentation shared with us in early 2023, GWM announced several new engines for future release. 

The next future release according to 2023 documentation was a 3.0-litre mild-hybrid turbocharged V6 petrol engine for the upcoming Tank 500, which produces 260kW/500Nm and is paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. 

2023 GWM Tank 500 front 3/4 on the road driving
The Tank 330 could share its engine with the upcoming 500 SUV

It’s almost certain that the force-induced six slated for Tank 330 is the same unit confirmed for the larger Tank 500 wagon

Also announced at the time was a hybrid version of this 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 that GWM claimed could produce as much as 380kW and would be suitable for hybrid or plug-in hybrid configurations. 

Although still unconfirmed, it’s very likely that a future performance variant of the Tank 300 in Australia could be V6 powered, and could even be offered as a more fuel-efficient hybrid in coming years.

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