GWM Tank 500 gains 3.0-litre turbodiesel in South Africa,

GWM Tank 500 gains 3.0-litre turbodiesel in South Africa, priced from R849 900

The Chinese brand's ladder-frame SUV adds a diesel alternative to its hybrid flagship, offered in 4x2 and 4WD form with a new Overland grade.

Source: CAR Magazine South Africa2026-09-171 min read

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After teasing the powertrain on social media in July 2026, GWM's South African operation has made a 3.0-litre turbodiesel version of the Tank 500 officially available locally. The four-cylinder unit, shared with the P500, delivers 170 kW and 620 N.m through a nine-speed automatic gearbox, with customers choosing between a 4x2 layout and a 4WD setup that includes a low-range transfer case.

GWM claims average consumption of 6.8 L/100 km for the 4x2 and 7.1 L/100 km for the 4WD, which works out to a claimed range of roughly 1 147 km and just under 1 100 km respectively from the standard 78-litre fuel tank. The Overland derivative can additionally be fitted with a 53-litre auxiliary tank.

On pricing, the 4x2 is offered solely in Super Luxury trim at R849 900, while the 4WD comes as the Ultra Luxury (R929 900) or the newly introduced Overland (R999 900). The 255 kW 2.0T HEV, pairing a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, continues to top the line-up at R1 228 950 in Ultra Luxury specification.

Away from the road, the Tank 500 offers 220 mm of ground clearance, approach, departure and breakover angles of 28.5, 25 and 25 degrees, a wading depth of 800 mm and a braked towing capacity of 3 500 kg.

This is an original summary compiled and translated from the source below, not a direct translation of it.

Source: CAR Magazine South Africa →