GWM puts Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X on notice with Tank 300 Diesel ready to exit the new product pipeline

Reports out of China overnight have confirmed GWM’s long-awaited diesel version of the Tank 300 SUV is closing in on global launch, possibly before the end of 2024.

As reported by CarNewsChina, a filing with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) includes specification details for the new diesel model, set to join the Tank 300’s existing 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and turbo-petrol hybrid variants.

In May this year GWM Chairman Wei Jianjun pointed to development of a Tank 300 diesel to be powered by the brand’s 2.4-litre (GW4D24) turbo-diesel engine, as used in the Cannon Alpha dual cab ute.

The Tank 300 is currently available in 2.0-litre turbo-petrol (180kW/380Nm) and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol-electric hybrid (258kW/648Nm) form, with the 300 Diesel producing the same 135kW/480Nm as its full-size pick-up sibling.

And the MIIT listing includes dimension details showing the 300 Diesel is slightly longer (+15mm) and taller (+24mm) than its petrol-powered counterparts, while width and wheelbase are unchanged.

As CarNewsChina confirms, diesels are not a popular option in China with only 178,700 sold in 2023, from a total domestic vehicle market of more than 20 million units, which points to export potential as a primary driver for the new Tank model.

Australia’s on-going love affair with the low-down torque, durability and economy of diesel engines for off-roading and towing means the Tank 300 Diesel's scheduled arrival here in the first quarter of 2025 will be a positive addition to GWM’s local line-up.

Earlier this year an upgraded version of the Tank 300 was spotted in partial camouflage, with much of the revision seemingly confined to the car’s interior, and it’s likely the diesel model will reflect this update.