Great Wall Motor (GWM) secara rasmi telah melancarkan versi terkini SUV hibrid plug-in berprestasi tinggi mereka, iaitu Tank 500 Hi4-T dan Hi4-Z, di pasaran China. Kemunculan model yang dinaik taraf ini menandakan satu lagi langkah penting dalam usaha GWM untuk memperkukuh penawaran kenderaan elektrik dan hibrid mereka, terutamanya dalam segmen SUV lasak. Pra-jualan dijangka bermula pada bulan Ogos.
Walaupun reka bentuk asas Tank 500 masih mengekalkan identiti asalnya, perubahan halus telah diperkenalkan pada bahagian luaran. Antaranya termasuk rekaan gril hadapan baharu dan penggunaan logo “GWM” moden di bahagian belakang. Dimensi keseluruhan kenderaan kekal seperti sebelumnya—panjang 5,078 mm, lebar 1,934 mm, dan tinggi 1,905 mm, dengan jarak roda sejauh 2,850 mm. SUV ini turut mengekalkan kemampuan luar jalan yang mengagumkan dengan sudut pendekatan 29 darjah, sudut pelepasan 24 darjah, serta jarak kelegaan tanah minimum sebanyak 210 mm. Ia juga masih mampu menarik beban sehingga 2,500 kg.
Sebagai tambahan, warna baharu dikenali sebagai Dunhuang Green kini menyertai pilihan warna sedia ada seperti Kunlun Gold, Pamir Silver, dan Mount Everest White, menambah variasi estetika kepada para pembeli.
Great Wall Motor (GWM) has officially introduced the upgraded versions of its Tank 500 Hi4-T and Hi4-Z plug-in hybrid off-road SUVs in China, marking a notable advancement in the brand’s electrified SUV offerings. These refreshed models bring improvements to their exterior styling, interior equipment, and driving assistance technologies. Pre-sales are expected to commence in August.
While the fundamental design of the Tank 500 remains consistent with its predecessor, subtle refinements have been applied to the front grille, and the rear now features the new “GWM” logo. The SUV’s dimensions remain unchanged, measuring 5,078 mm in length, 1,934 mm in width, and 1,905 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,850 mm. Off-road enthusiasts will appreciate the 29° approach angle, 24° departure angle, and a minimum ground clearance of 210 mm. Optional towing capabilities remain, offering a maximum capacity of 2,500kg.
A new exterior shade called Dunhuang Green has been added to the colour palette, joining the existing Kunlun Gold, Pamir Silver, and Mount Everest White.
Great Wall Motor (GWM) telah membuat kejutan besar dalam dunia automotif apabila secara rasmi mendedahkan gambaran awal kereta super pertama keluarannya, sekali gus menandakan kemasukan berani syarikat itu ke dalam arena kenderaan berprestasi tinggi. Pendedahan bersejarah ini dilakukan oleh Pengerusi GWM, Wei Jianjun, bersempena sambutan ulang tahun ke-35 syarikat berkenaan.
Model baharu yang masih belum dinamakan itu bakal menggunakan enjin 4.0 liter V8 yang dibangunkan sepenuhnya oleh GWM sendiri, digandingkan dengan sistem hibrid plug-in. Gabungan ini meletakkannya sebagai pesaing utama kepada model elektrik sepenuhnya BYD Yangwang U9, yang sebelum ini telah menarik perhatian kerana prestasinya yang luar biasa.
Imej acah yang dikongsi oleh Wei Jianjun melalui akaun Weibo rasminya memperlihatkan prototaip kereta tersebut yang dilitupi balutan hitam, dikelilingi oleh barisan eksekutif kanan GWM. Meskipun rekaan luaran masih diselindungkan, beberapa ciri dapat dikenal pasti.
Great Wall Motor (GWM) has officially revealed a glimpse of its first-ever supercar, marking a bold entry into the high-performance automotive segment. Unveiled by Chairman Wei Jianjun on the company’s 35th anniversary, the yet-to-be-named model is set to feature a self-developed 4.0-litre V8 engine paired with a plug-in hybrid system, positioning it as a formidable contender against BYD’s all-electric Yangwang U9.
The teaser image, shared on Wei Jianjun’s official Weibo account, showcases the prototype cloaked in a black film, with the GWM chairman and company executives gathered around it. Though heavily covered, the car’s long proportions, sloped bonnet, and muscular rear haunches suggest a mid- or rear-mounted engine layout. Prominent air intakes situated in front of the rear fenders reinforce expectations of a performance-focused design. The only difference between the U9 and this is that this does not feature the huge swan neck spoiler.
The supercar has been in development for several years, with reports tracing its origins back to 2021. GWM formally committed to the project in January 2025, during its general meeting, which also marked the initiation of a new luxury division internally codenamed “BG”. That same month, the company filed a new trademark, “自信汽车” (Zixin Qiche or “Confidence Auto”), with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), signalling a new direction under a premium sub-brand.
When it comes to large SUVs with off-roading prowess, the first thing that comes to mind is the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser. That is just how it has been ever since it was first introduced way back in the 50s.
The Land Cruiser has some proper hardcore DNA in its engine oil since Toyota was commissioned by the US military to produce a compact off-roader for military use in the region, particularly during the Korean war.
Ever since then, the world has come to associate the Land Cruiser with being a dependable off-roader. Helped in large part by the ultra-rich middle easterners who elevated the status of a Land Cruiser from a capable off-roader, to one that included luxury as well.
Hey, if it was good for the sheikhs, then it should be good for the rest of the world.
Many have tried to dethrone it. Nissan tried with the Patrol, Land Rover with its Defender, Jeep and the Grand Cherokee and perhaps even Mercedes-Benz and the G-Class. None have succeeded.
But let’s get serious. If any of us were to be offered one car to drive from the edges of Malaysia to the edges of Scotland tomorrow, it will be a Toyota Land Cruiser.
But alas, the Land Cruiser is not the ultimate answer to all our worldly automotive problems. Over the years, Toyota has stacked on luxurious appointments on top of the ultra-advanced off-roading technologies. And all that cost’s money, a lot of money.
This has turned the Land Cruiser from an affordable, reliable off-roader to one that can take on the mighty Ranger Rover in terms of interior appointments and price.
Visit any automotive classified website and you will be looking at a price tag upward of RM400,000 which is on the cheaper side of the Land Cruiser spectrum. Newer ones with more interior bling will set you back closer to RM700,000.
And you can’t buy them brand new either. You have to buy a Japanese spec model from a parallel importer. Imagine that.
And that has left an interesting gap in the market. One that has now been filled by Great Wall Motors (GWM) and the Tank 500.
But first, a little backgrounder.
So, who is this newcomer that dares to take on the mighty Toyota Land Cruiser at its own game?
The Tank 500 is a sub-brand under the gargantuan GWM umbrella.
GWM needs no introduction. It boasts sales of over 14.9 million vehicles globally with over US$27 billion in annual revenue. Though this figure trails behind the goliaths in the form of Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen, it is only a matter of time until GWM becomes one of the titans of the industry.
To achieve this, GWM introduced sub-brands, with each targeting different segments. Haval is probably its most well-known brand and is GWM’s flagship SUV brand, responsible for the majority of its sales.
Of course, then there is Ora which specialises in electric vehicles and Wey, which is a premium SUV brand that will also soon be introduced to the Malaysian market.
Tank is another such brand under GWM and it focuses on luxurious hardcore off-road SUVs, and Malaysians were first introduced to the Tank brand back in 2024 with the introduction of the Tank 300.
What does Tank focus on?
Every brand has a single-minded focus, its raison d’etre, something that it has become synonymous with.
BMW has become synonymous with power and performance, Porsche with motorsport, Ferrari with Formula 1, and Land Cruiser with dependability.
GWM introduced Tank back in 2020 and positioned it so that it became synonymous with premium, hardcore, off-road SUVs. In fact, one of the core philosophies of the Tank brand is the “harmony between toughness and comfort.”
Besides that, the Tank brand will also focus on diversified powertrains with models that range from traditional petrol engines, hybrid electric vehicles, as well as plug-in hybrid options.
And you can see this with the local Tank line-up. The Tank 300 is powered by a petrol engine and the newly introduced model is powered by a hybrid electric powertrain.
So, what is the Tank 500 then?
If I have not already made it obvious, the Tank 500 is a premium SUV with some serious off-roading capabilities.
I didn’t get to try out it’s off-roading prowess during a test drive to Penang and back, but it has 11 driving modes dedicated to getting you out of any situation.
And if you have not already guessed by the way it looks, it is inspired by and has the traditional Land Cruiser buyer squarely in its cross hairs.
But unlike the old school premium SUV’s which rely on big capacity engines, the Tank 500 is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine which is mated to an electric motor which in turn delivers its power to the wheels through a nine-speed gearbox.
Is such a small engine good enough to propel such a big, heavy SUV? Well, the power figures may suggest as much. The engine puts out 244PS and 380Nm of torque, while the electric motor churns out 106PS and 268Nm by itself. And of course, the combined output figure stands at a mighty 346PS and 648Nm of torque.
But the Tank 500 is a car that weighs a little over 2.5 tonnes. So even though the power output is impressive, you really don’t feel it working to move the car. But driving character is something I’ll touch on in more detail later.
However, this is where I will point out that some markets offer the Tank 500 with a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo, V6 engine that puts out 348hp and 500Nm of torque. Perhaps that may suit the character and purpose of the Tank 500 better than a 2.0-litre engine.
Besides that, though, the Tank 500 has a squadron of clever electronic gremlins designed to keep the car going in almost all situations.
Some of this includes the “Tank Turn Assist” feature, which can help you with tight manoeuvres by locking the inside rear wheel. Something like dropping an anchor to turn a tight corner, fans of the Battleship movie will know what I am talking about.
On top of that, the Tank 500 is capable of wading through 800mm of water thanks to its 224mm ground clearance. In case you’re unsure of how deep the water is, the SUV even has an in-built water depth detection sensor. So, you’re always in control of the situation.
Electronic drive modes include the eleven I have already mentioned earlier, of this four are for on-road driving. On top of this, you also get intelligent four-wheel-drive system with electronically controlled front and rear differential locks with a mechanical centre locker.
Do you see now why the Tank 500 has Land Cruiser buyers in its sights now? It wants to be everything the Toyota is by offering tech that the Toyota does not. It even has the same “transparent chassis” feature which debuted in Malaysia in the Tank 300. And this is further enhanced with a feature called “Conquerors Perspective”!
These features work by providing the driver with a view of what is going on around and underneath the car, so you can conquer any obstacle, so to speak.
But is it as good as the Land Cruiser?
What is the interior like?
It looks plush, expensive and high-tech when you first get in. Chinese car brands love their gargantuan screens with few hard buttons, and the Tank 500 is no different.
Step into the car and onto the Nappa leather wrapped driver’s seat, and after you get comfortable in the eight-way electronically adjustable driver seat with massage and ventilation function, your eyes will be greeted by a massive screen to your left.
This screen measures in at 14.6-inches and is basically the control centre for the car. Everything except for the four-wheel-drive functions is activated through this screen. In true classic off-roader fashion, the four-wheel-drive functions have separate hard buttons for them.
Up ahead of you is another digital screen as the instrument cluster, this time measuring in at 12.3-inches and giving you all the essential data you need as you go about your daily drive.
You also get a full panoramic roof but more importantly, it comes with a power retractable shade. This is super important for our Malaysian climate.
At the back, the rear passengers get copious amount of legroom. The car is big, and you feel it from the inside as well. Passengers also get ventilated seats, roof mounted air-conditioning vents (as they should be) and two USB ports for their devices.
For entertainment, you get wireless Carplay and Android Auto, with music piped into the cabin through a 12-speaker Infinity sound system.
Fit, finish, quality of everything is fantastic. The interior makes you feel like your money has been well spent.
But once you start poking and prodding around the cabin, you will notice that the wood trimming is not actually wood. Which is fine because that is common practise these days and it still looks good anyway. It definitely does not look cheap.
And then once you spend a little more time in the front seats particularly as a passenger, you will notice that there is no volume button. So, in case you want to increase or decrease the volume of the music, you either have to swipe downwards on the screen to access the volume menu, or you have to get the driver to do it via the hard button on the steering wheel.
Younger passengers may not mind it since they’re exposed to screens from the very beginning anyway. But the real irritation here is that you cannot swipe down when you’re using Carplay or Android Auto. Instead, you must go back to the main menu and then swipe down.
I personally found it very irritating, but GWM Malaysia recommended to use the voice command feature instead. This works fine but needs some getting used to because sometimes all you want to do is turn it all down a couple of notches and chill out, without actually talking.
Moving on.
Boot space is massive to say the least. The Tank 500 is a seven-seater and you summon up the two extra seats by pressing a button. They lay back down electronically as well.
Legroom for the rear two seats isn’t that great so perhaps it is best kept for the kids or the vertically challenged.
How does it feel like to drive and be driven in?
The suspension of the Tank 500 is rather conventional with a double wishbone independent at the front, and multi-link live axle coil sprung rear.
You don’t get any of that electronically adaptive suspension which is understandable because the Tank 500 is an off-roading machine.
But the Tank 500 is built using a traditional body-on-frame method. This means that the cabin, engine bay, cargo area is built as a separate unit and later bolted onto a rigid frame which resembles a ladder.
It is common for pick-up trucks, heavy-duty commercial vehicles and large SUV’s to be built this way because it is more durable and stronger especially for off-road use.
But the downside to this is that ride quality takes a hit.
If you have ever sat in the back seat of a Toyota Hilux or an Isuzu D-Max, you will know what I mean. You basically feel the car hopping over surfaces, and there are tiny jiggles which intrude back into the cabin.
At first, this confuses you because you shouldn’t feel this in a premium SUV that costs upwards of RM300,000. But the more you spend with the car, the more tolerable it becomes. Good cars have a way of masking all the bad stuff and the Tank 500 does it quite well.
Then there is the refinement of the cabin which is exemplary for other car makers. GWM has used double-glazed windows all throughout the cabin. This is quite unique for this price point because most car makers only use it around the front window panels.
This then results in an interior that remains whisper quiet even at high speed.
Power delivery is decent enough though, as mentioned earlier, there is no urgency during acceleration. Though you get a lot of torque (648Nm is no joke), it certainly does not feel like it is going anywhere very quick.
But from the captain’s seat up front, you feel like you are in total control of the road with good visibility all around.
From what I experienced on the highway, the Tank 500 will cruise all day long while keeping you in total comfort. In traffic, it isolates you from all the hustle and bustle of the world outside. Even the Adaptive Cruise Control works seamlessly between braking and accelerating. It is only when a car wedges itself ahead of you that the system gets confused.
It is even perfect to be driven in as well, and if you are worried about getting in and out of the car, there is an electronic footstep that pops out to greet you when you need to get in and out of the car. This step folds out every time you open and close a door. I couldn’t help but wonder how long it will be able to keep that up till it gives up, then I found out it can be turned off and kept permanently in place. Phew.
So, is it good enough to spend your money on?
At RM328,000, the Tank 500 is among the most expensive Chinese cars in Malaysia. Granted, it is built in Thailand and it offers good build and ride quality, it is still something that some may struggle to look past.
But this is a segment that is largely untapped. For the same money, you get an entry level BMW X3 and a Mercedes-Benz GLC costs significantly more. Both of which are smaller, feel cheaper and have lesser overall tech than the Tank 500. Feeling shortchanged by the Europeans yet?
And just to help you sleep better, GWM Malaysia offers a comprehensive warranty package such as a six-year unlimited mileage warranty on the car itself. A further eight year or 200,000km warranty on the high voltage battery and a lifetime warranty for the engine, transmission and the hybrid system. There are some terms and conditions that are applied on the warranties, so be sure to read the fine print before signing on the dotted line.
With all the above in mind, I would say that the Tank 500 is a much better buy especially when you consider what BMW and Mercedes-Benz have to offer.
Specifications:
Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder hybrid with electric motor
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Power: 346PS
Torque: 648Nm
Suspension: Double wishbone independent (Front) / Multi-link Live Axle Coil Spring (Rear)
Price (As tested): RM328,000
We like: Value for money
We don’t like: Feels like it needs more power
GWM Malaysia mengumumkan satu pencapaian bersejarah bagi HAVAL H6 HEV, yang kini secara rasmi tersenarai dalam ASEAN Records atas pencapaian jarak pemanduan terpanjang dengan satu tangki penuh serta bilangan pemilik disahkan terbanyak yang melepasi 1,000km, semuanya dalam keadaan pemanduan sebenar.
Sebagai sebahagian daripada cabaran daya tahan bahan api peringkat kebangsaan, seramai 38 pemilik HAVAL H6 HEV berjaya melepasi jarak 1,000km, dengan jarak paling jauh yang disahkan mencecah 1,242km dalam satu tangki penuh. Ini merupakan kali pertama sebuah SUV hibrid di ASEAN mencapai kejayaan sedemikian melalui penggunaan harian yang tulen.
“Ini bukan sekadar pencapaian teknikal, tetapi pengiktirafan dunia sebenar terhadap keupayaan HAVAL H6 HEV dalam membawa rakyat Malaysia lebih jauh,” kata Cui Anqi, Pengarah Urusan GWM Malaysia. “Ia mencerminkan inti pati arah baharu kami – mempertingkatkan pengalaman pemanduan harian menerusi inovasi yang telah terbukti.”
Sempena kejayaan mencipta rekod ini, GWM Malaysia memperkenalkan slogan baharu untuk HAVAL H6 HEV — “Elevate Your Everyday”.
Great Wall Motor (GWM) secara rasmi melancarkan varian enjin pembakaran dalaman (ICE) bagi SUV Haval Raptor untuk pasaran China, meluaskan lagi penawaran model ini yang sebelum ini hanya tersedia dalam versi kenderaan elektrik hibrid plug-in (PHEV).
Varian baharu berkuasa petrol ini ditawarkan dalam dua pilihan – Haval Raptor 2.0T 4WD Pro yang dijual pada harga 156,900 yuan (sekitar RM102,300), dan 2.0T 4WD Ultra dengan ciri lebih premium pada 166,900 yuan (kira-kira RM108,800). Sebagai perbandingan, model PHEV yang telah dilancarkan sebelum ini dijual antara 165,800 yuan hingga 192,800 yuan (sekitar RM108,000 hingga RM126,000).
Varian ICE ditawarkan dalam dua konfigurasi luaran – satu dengan tayar ganti yang dipasang di belakang, dan satu lagi dengan kotak simpanan luaran. Versi tayar ganti mempunyai panjang keseluruhan 4,800 mm, manakala versi kotak simpanan sedikit lebih pendek pada 4,680 mm. Kedua-dua varian mengekalkan lebar 1,950 mm, tinggi 1,843 mm, dan jarak roda 2,738 mm – hampir sama dengan SUV Tank 300.
Pilihan roda termasuk rim 18 inci (245/60 R18) dan 19 inci (255/60 R19), dengan lima pilihan warna badan: hijau, dua tona kelabu, hitam dan putih.
Great Wall Motor (GWM) has officially introduced the internal combustion engine (ICE) version of its Haval Raptor SUV in the Chinese market, expanding the model’s lineup beyond the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant launched earlier. This new petrol-powered variant is positioned as a capable off-road SUV and is now available in two trim levels.
The Haval Raptor 2.0T 4WD Pro is priced at 156,900 yuan, approximately RM102,300, while the more premium 2.0T 4WD Ultra is listed at 166,900 yuan, or around RM108,800. In contrast, the previously released PHEV models range from 165,800 yuan to 192,800 yuan (roughly RM108,000 to RM126,000).
Offered in two size configurations, the ICE variant is available either with an external spare tyre or with an external storage box mounted at the rear. The spare tyre version measures 4,800 mm in length, while the box version is shorter at 4,680 mm. Both versions maintain a width of 1,950 mm, a height of 1,843 mm, and a 2,738 mm wheelbase, roughly the same size as a Tank 300. Wheel options include 18-inch (245/60 R18) and 19-inch (255/60 R19) tyres. Five body colours are available: green, two shades of grey, black, and white.
Visually, the Haval Raptor retains the squared-off, boxy silhouette reminiscent of the PHEV version. It features traditional door handles and roof racks, while the front end showcases a redesigned grille with vertical elements and distinctive rectangular headlights inspired by the mortise and tenon joints of traditional Chinese architecture. At the rear, vertically-oriented taillights are fitted with 300 red LEDs emitting at 628 nanometres.
GWM Malaysia mencatat permulaan memberangsangkan bagi model terbarunya, TANK 500 Serba Baharu, dengan sebanyak 150 tempahan direkodkan hanya sehari selepas pelancaran rasminya.
Sambutan luar biasa ini mencerminkan keyakinan yang semakin kukuh dalam kalangan pengguna tempatan terhadap kemampuan GWM dalam menawarkan kenderaan pacuan lasak yang mewah dan berprestasi tinggi.
Ditawarkan pada harga pengenalan RM328,800, TANK 500 disasarkan kepada pemandu yang menghargai kepelbagaian fungsi tanpa mengorbankan kemewahan.
Reka bentuk mekanikalnya yang kukuh disokong oleh ruang dalaman yang mewah, menjadikan SUV ini pilihan ideal untuk kegunaan harian di bandar dan juga pengembaraan luar jalan.
GWM Malaysia has reported a resounding reception for its latest model, the All-New TANK 500, with 150 bookings secured just one day after its official launch.
This early success underlines the growing confidence of Malaysian motorists in GWM’s ability to deliver rugged, premium off-road vehicles tailored to both performance and luxury expectations.
The TANK 500, which is offered exclusively as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), is positioned as a formidable contender in the local SUV segment. (more…)
