GWM to add V8 to Tank 700
Reversing the trend of ever-diminishing V8 engine options for new 4x4 and SUV buyers, GWM will introduce a V8, with the Tank 700 SUV expected to be the first recipient of the all-new engine. GWM only offers the Tank 500 and Tank 300 in Australia currently, but when the Tank 700 V8 goes into production, Australia and New Zealand are expected to be among the markets it’ll be sold in.
In the likely event that it will be released in Australia, the Tank 700 V8 will fill the gap left by Toyota, which dropped the 4.5-litre V8 for its LandCruiser 70 Series last year, and the Nissan Patrol, which is due to discontinue its 5.6-litre V8 for a twin-turbo V6. There’s a possibility the V8 will also go into a version of GWM’s Cannon ute.
A V8 had been mooted by GWM last year, with strong Australian interest inspiring the Chinese carmaker to consider broadening its application. Speaking at the Beijing Auto Show in April, GWM Chairman, Jack Wei, confirmed that the Tank 700 and an all-new ‘GF’ supercar will feature the new V8, in different levels of tune.
“The supercar uses a high-performance V8, while the Tank 700 uses a normal V8,” Wei said. “This is completely opposite to the current environment or trend in China; it does not fit the Chinese market. We developed this V8 to meet the needs of more global users, in markets such as Australia and New Zealand.”
The V8 confirmed for the GF is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo hybrid unit, but this combination may not be transplanted directly into the Tank 700, as GWM say they have multiple V8 powertrains in development for different vehicle applications. GWM adds that the Tank 700 V8 represents a key step in expanding their high-output powertrain offerings, enabling the brand to respond to demand in markets where large-capacity engines remain popular, such as Australia and New Zealand.
The Tank 700, which launched in China two years ago but has yet to be released in Australia, is a premium large SUV that runs a hybrid petrol 3.0-litre V6 in ‘Hi4-T’ form, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
A ‘Hi4-Z’ platform for the Tank 700, along with a plug-in hybrid 2.0-litre four-cylinder drivetrain, launched in the domestic market this year. This new platform is likely to be the basis for the Tank 700 V8 that’s speculated for release in Australia and New Zealand.
GWM has stated that no timing or market-specific rollout plans for the Tank 700 V8 have been announced, but add that they are committed to expanding their “premium global vehicle offering” into new markets. Introducing a V8 is part of what GWM describe as a “strategy to invest in a diverse range of powertrain solutions aligned with satisfying the evolving customer demand across key international markets”.
