GWM to add 3.0D to Tank 500 in 2026

GWM has confirmed that a newly developed turbocharged 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine will have its global launch in Australia, reinforcing this market’s significance in the Chinese manufacturer’s international expansion plan.

Chief technology officer Nicole Wu told media, including GoAuto, that the larger-capacity diesel ‘four’ will make its debut in a Tank 4WD product in Australia “by mid-2026”.

“A three-litre turbo (diesel engine) is coming soon, and here is the kicker: our 3.0-litre Tank diesel model will make its global debut right here in Australia by mid-next year,” said Ms Wu.

The move underscores Australia’s emerging role as a proving ground for new GWM technologies, with senior executives describing the market as a key pillar of the group’s right-hand drive strategy.

Local operations have become a showcase for GWM’s increasingly broad powertrain portfolio, which spans pure petrol and diesel options, plus a range of electrified ‘new energy’ alternatives including hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric (BEV).

Several large manufacturers including Hyundai, Volvo, and Peugeot have discontinued diesel in Australia, but GWM says it intends to maintain both petrol and diesel internal-combustion offerings alongside its electrified range.

The China-based conglomerate believes growing hybrid and EV sales in Australia will provide GWM with flexibility under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) regime, allowing it to keep selling petrol and diesel models without going ‘into the red’ and being penalised under NVES.

Two GWM models will initially receive the freshly developed turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel engine: the Tank 500 large SUV, and the Cannon Alpha PHEV. In both models, the diesel will be an alternative to a 2.0-litre turbo petrol PHEV powertrain, with the plug-in doing the NVES heavy-lifting.

Despite its displacement, the new diesel is not a six-cylinder unit, though V6 power is still expected to make its way to the GWM line-up.

A twin-turbo petrol ‘six’ is available to GWM Australia but only when paired to a PHEV system.

The new diesel is expected to deliver stronger performance and lower CO2 emissions than GWM’s existing 2.4-litre unit, which develops 135kW/480Nm. The turbocharged 2.4-litre diesel will remain available in smaller models like the Tank 300 SUV and standard-size Cannon ute.

“We know Aussies love diesel, and we have been perfecting it since 2002 with 24 years of know-how,” added Ms Wu.

Currently, the Tank 500 is only sold in Australia with a 255kW/548Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol HEV powertrain, which is selling slowly, while the 300kW/750Nm PHEV already available with the Cannon Alpha will shortly be added to the Tank 500 line-up.

The hybrids – plus the new 3.0-litre diesel – to help lift Tank 500 sales in Australia to take the fight to the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, which remains diesel-only.

GWM Australia chief operating officer John Kett told GoAuto that while the 3.0-litre diesel does not assist the brand on NVES grounds, it plans to initially sell the diesel at full strength before considering any price adjustments intended to bring the PHEV to the fore.

In the longer term, ongoing strong demand for the diesel could mean GWM needs to price the oiler above the PHEV to avoid incurring NVES penalties.

Beyond the four-cylinder diesel, GWM continues to develop a 4.0-litre petrol V8 engine, with the bent-eight under active consideration for Australia as a halo powertrain.

GWM has hinted that a “military-grade” off-road flagship could be the first vehicle to feature the V8.