If you have been paying attention to the local market, and we know as a reader of this site you do, then you would have seen the rise in popularity of GWM’s Tank models These, proper go-anywhere, SUVs have been winning favour with the overlanding crowd. Now, the brand adds a new turbodiesel derivative to its Tank 500 line up.
The arrival of a 3,0-litre turbodiesel variant recalibrates what this luxury SUV is for. The hybrid petrol-electric model chases refinement and urban efficiency, but the diesel plants its flag in territory long owned by Toyota’s Fortuner and Ford’s Territory range. This engine is built for sustained abuse, not occasional dabbling.
The torque talks
The new engine to the range arrives with impressive peak figures of 170 kW and 620 N.m. An impressive 385 N.m of twist effort is available from 1 000 r/min, barely above idle. For overlanders, this translates to controlled throttle modulation in deep sand and the ability to hold a steady line up a rocky ascent without hunting between ratios
The nine-speed automatic transmission benefits directly. With torque this abundant this low, the gearbox can hold gears longer and shift less frequently under load. This reduces heat buildup in the torque converter and clutches during prolonged towing, and it means fewer interruptions to traction when the surface turns slippery.
Chassis hardware that matches the engine’s intent
The Tank 500’s body-on-frame architecture is a deliberate choice that enables the suspension travel and structural isolation necessary for genuine off-road work. The separate chassis can twist over uneven ground without transmitting those loads into the passenger cell, and it provides the hardpoints for heavy-duty control arms and dampers.
Part-time four-wheel drive with selectable 2H, 4H, and 4L modes completes the mechanical picture. In low range, the transfer case multiplies the diesel’s already substantial torque, allowing the big GWM to crawl over obstacles with minimal throttle input and maximum control. The integrated brake control and trailer sway mitigation built into the stability control system suggest GWM understands how these vehicles are used in South African conditions.
Cabin comfort
Genuine leather covers all seven seats. The driver gets eight-way electric adjustment plus heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The front passenger receives four-way electric adjustment with identical heating, ventilation, and massage. These are fatigue-management tools for long driving days off the beaten path. Rear passengers occupy a spacious third row that folds flat when cargo volume takes priority over headcount.
Coffee OS 3.0 replaces the previous infotainment architecture with a system built around voice control for navigation, entertainment, and selected vehicle functions. The interface reduces the need to hunt through touchscreen menus while traversing rough surfaces.
Safety architecture
Passive protection includes dual front airbags, front side airbags, side curtain airbags extending to all three rows, and a front centre airbag designed to prevent driver and passenger head contact in a severe offset collision. The active safety list is extensive: adaptive cruise control, integrated cruise assist, traffic jam assist, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, lane centring, emergency lane keeping, smart dodge, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, and pedestrian and cyclist detection.
Traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed assist, front and rear parking sensors with automatic front activation at low speeds, front cross-traffic alert, front cross-traffic braking, lane change assist, door open warning, and rear cross-traffic alert round out the assistance portfolio. For overlanders, these systems reduce cognitive load during long transits and provide collision-avoidance capability when the nearest trauma unit is hours away.
GWM Tank 500 3.0 Diesel Pricing
The Tank 500 3.0 Diesel range spans three derivatives with a standard fuel tank capacity of 78 litres with an auxiliary 53 litre tank option available on the overland derivative.
4×2 Super Luxury – R849 900
4×4 Ultra Luxury – R929 900
4×4 Overland – R999 900
The South African 4×4 market has not seriously confronted the question of proper Chinese-made off-roaders before. The answer will emerge over the next few years as these vehicles accumulate kilometres in the places that reveal the truth about any overlander: the Richtersveld, the Kalahari, Sani Pass, Tankwa Karoo, the Mozambique corridor, and the long gravel roads that connect them.
GWM Tank 500 3.0 Diesel — Key Specifications
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel |
| Power | 170 kW |
| Torque | 620 N.m |
| Transmission | Nine-speed automatic |
| Drive | Part-time 4WD (2H/4H/4L) |
| Towing capacity | 3 500 kg |
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