READY TO ROLL INTO SA LIKE AN ARMOURED RHINO IN A TUXEDO


If there was ever a vehicle we’ve all been telling GWM to bring to South Africa—complete with a brass band, confetti cannons, and a plate of warm koeksisters—it’s the brand-new TANK 300 Diesel. The very mention of “Diesel” might bring back memories of that dear old tractor from your grandpa’s farm, but fear not: this modern beast is more about conquering off-road trails than chugging along fields of cabbage.


Yes, the TANK 300 Diesel has finally stomped onto our shores, wearing an unapologetically bold exterior and an interior so luxurious you might mistake it for a VIP lounge. It’s got torque to move a stubborn bakkie out of the fast lane, and a towing capacity that makes you wonder if there’s a small crane hidden under the bonnet. GWM promises that you’ll feel like you’re taking a first-class trip across rugged terrain, sipping tea (or a rooibos cappuccino) with your pinky raised. And believe me, when you’re stuck halfway up a mountain, pinky etiquette is the last thing you’ll worry about—but it’s nice to know it’s possible.


With the TANK 300 Diesel’s enormous ground clearance, you could probably drive over a pile of your neighbours’ bad decisions without even noticing. And for those of you who say, “I’d rather just stay on the tar,” well, you’ll be the only driver on the highway who can skip traffic jams by politely doing a 33-degree approach onto the nearest verge (not recommended by traffic cops, but technically possible). This is the kind of car that makes you want to find the nearest dirt road and show it who’s boss—even if your idea of “off-road” is the shopping mall parking lot on a Saturday morning.


Then there’s the interior. Nappa Leather? Check. Heated seats that massage your adventurous posterior? Check. Noise cancellation so you can sing your best rendition of ‘APT APT’ without judgment from passing pedestrians? Also check. Suffice to say, the TANK 300 Diesel is that rare SUV that can play rough in the mud, then arrive at a fancy gala dinner looking dapper and unfazed. It’s basically James Bond on four wheels, except with more tow hooks and a bigger wading depth.


This is the moment we’ve been waiting for—ever since we said from the get-go that GWM must bring this dream machine to SA. Ready or not, the TANK 300 Diesel is spooling its turbo, and it’s about to shake up our roads.


Mark my words, this one’s going to break through all the skepticism like a tank through a papier-mâché wall.


SUMMARY: KEY FACTS & FIGURES

  • Engine & Performance
  • 2.4L Turbo Diesel Engine
  • 135 kW of power
  • 480 Nm of torque
  • 9-Speed Electronic Transmission
  • Towing & Fuel Efficiency
  • 3-tonne towing capacity
  • 7.7 L/100 km (combined cycle)
  • Off-Road Capabilities
  • 7 All-Terrain Driving Modes
  • Tank Turn (pivot on the spot)
  • Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive Torque On Demand (Dual Speed)
  • Electronically Controlled Diff Locks (front and rear)
  • 33° approach angle, 34° departure angle
  • 70% climbing capability
  • 700 mm wading depth
  • 224 mm ground clearance
  • Chassis & Durability
  • Reinforced Off-Road Chassis and Guard
  • Double Wishbone front suspension, Multi-Link rear
  • 360° Camera System with See-Through Chassis
  • Off-Road Thermal Management
  • Interior Comfort & Luxury
  • Full-Grain Nappa Leather Seats (heated, cooled, massage function for front row)
  • 8-Way Adjustable Driver’s Seat with Lumbar Support
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Noise Cancellation Technology with Double-Layer Soundproof Glass
  • 64-Colour Ambient Lighting
  • Dual-Zone Air Conditioning
  • Technology & Infotainment
  • 12.3” Full-Colour Touchscreen (Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto)
  • 12.3” LCD Instrument Cluster
  • 9-Speaker Infinity Audio System
  • Wireless Charging Station
  • Automatic LED Headlights with Follow-Me-Home
  • Safety & Driver Assistance
  • 5-Star ANCAP Safety Rating
  • Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist & Lane Departure Warning
  • Blind Spot Detection, Rear Collision Warning
  • Automatic Emergency Braking, Traffic Sign Recognition
  • Rear Cross Traffic Assist with Braking
  • 360° View Camera
  • Multiple Airbags Throughout Cabin
  • Level 2 Autonomous Driving
  • GWM Care After-Sales
  • 7 Years / 200 000 km Warranty
  • 8 Years / 150 000 km Battery Warranty (for Hybrid models)
  • 7 Years / Unlimited km Roadside Assist
  • 7 Years / 75 000 km Service Plan
  • Service Intervals: Every 15 000 km or 12 months
  • Colour Options
  • Mars Red, White, Black, Grey, Orange


  • Price
  • R699 900


NB: Model-dependent features. Specifications and options may vary. Visit gwm.co.za for more details.


Images : Supplied